Synopsis
The combining of Location-Based Services with GPS technology, mobile commerce applications and social networking has revived the LBS sector. There has been much hype regarding this technology since around the year 2000 and it is only recently that we have seen applications for this technology becoming available to mass audiences. Initially people were lured by the Check-in feature offered by location based services over social networks and high profile start-ups liked Foursquare captured consumer attention based on this.
However in 2012 Foursquare is undergoing changes as consumers seem to be losing interest with the check-in feature and are seeking more location-based information on places or venues they may visit.
The future of mobile Location Based Services will continue to evolve as handsets with smarter capabilities, new apps and user interfaces permeate the market. This technology will also be included in the broader concept of The Internet of Things.
This report provides a broad global overview of trends and developments in the mobile location based services industry, including a brief overview of GPS.
Latest developments:
Mobile location based services are now becoming more mainstream; Location based technology will be a key element in the emerging Internet of Things (IoT) environment; Companies like Facebook are attempting a foothold in this industry; Facebook’s entry has been unsettled however with first the launch and subsequent closure of Facebook Places and the more recent purchase of Gowalla.
