The Future of Location-based Services

August 2012

Over the past 12 months all eyes seem to be set on mobile navigation, starting with Intel’s acquisition of Telmap followed by Apple’s announcement to ditch Google Maps and create a mapping app of its own.  Even Amazon looks like they are planning to join the location based services (LBS) market with their recent acquisition of mapping start-up, UpNext. And of course, indoor navigation is making a lot of noise in the industry lately and we are sure to see much more breakthroughs in that niche.  There is no doubt that the big players in mobile have started to realise the importance of LBS and the potential it holds.

Whether it’s checking in on Facebook, receiving local deals or searching and navigating to a location, nowadays we are all using location based services as part of our daily routines.  It seems now that a week doesn’t go by without a new announcement for the latest development in mobile navigation. Both Google and Apple have expressed their interest in 3D mapping. Google has even extended its capabilities to include some indoor mapping. LBS is growing at such a fast pace but where will it be in the future?

Augmented reality always seems to be a hot topic in mobile circles when discussing future technologies.  Maybe there will be a time when mobile navigation is embedded in to augmented reality glasses that lead the way by overlaying the directions on to the street. Interesting facts or offers could pop up as you are walking along.  It could even recognise Facebook friends as you walk along, so you never miss a friend again. Maybe even warn you against people you don’t want to see before you see them, eradicating any awkward situations.  LBS will be there to understand you,  like having your own personal concierge in your pocket.

We think that having a personal, intuitive concierge in your pocket would be great. Can you imagine how useful it would be if your mobile navigation system knew where you wanted to go before you knew it yourself? Maybe it will send you vouchers and direct you to your favourite shops before you get there.

In the eleven years Telmap has been involved in LBS we have watched the possibilities grow. It is clear that location based services are developing faster than ever. These are just a few of our thoughts but what do you think we can expect to see in ten, twenty or even one hundred years from now? More importantly what do you want to see today?