Monday, March 31. 2008

Word of the Day: GeoTourism

National Geographic defines “geotourism” as “tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical character of a place - its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage, and the well-being of its residents.”

The Missoulian (Montana)talks up the concept while introducing the new “Crown of the Continent” map which features many local points of interest suggested by locals. The article explains that the Crown, as a geographic region, covers northern Montana, southwest Alberta and southeastern British Columbia. The map is a collaborative effort of National Geographic and the Center for Sustainable Destinations and the National Parks Conservation Association, and 350 locals who nominated 700 items for the map during 64 public forums. There's an online version of the map here.

NGA Wants National Power Grid Database

UPI reports that the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency feels such a database is necessary to protect infrastructure. It's rolled out a sources sought notice looking for such a database that might be shared within the U.S. and foreign partners.

Location-based IRS Audits; The IRS is Watching Where You Live

Last Saturday, on the CNN show "Your $$$$$$" with Ali Velshi, a guest mentioned that you are more likely to be audited if your income doesn't necessarily jive with your zip code. For example, if you are making well under the "statistical" minimum for your zip code, you have a greater chance of being audited. In general, the IRS audited 7% more returns last year. So, perhaps we are seeing a more "location intelligent" IRS.

Friday, March 28. 2008

Facebook to Focus on Location?

Investments keep pouring in: First $240 million from Microsoft, then $60 million from Hong Kong business mogul Li Ka-Shing and today another $40 million (at least) from Ka-Shing. VentureBeat suggests that Ka-Shing's company Hutchison Whampoa will ease Facebook into China and perhaps be an entry to LBS.

Pitney Bowes CEO: Rebranding in Progress

Good thing, I can't figure if its Pitney Bowes MapInfo or Pitney Bowes Software or what.

"We are in the process of actually rebranding across the entire company," [CEO Murray] Martin said. "With 85 acquisitions, it's important for us to look at the whole brand and the whole brand philosophy."

- Albany Business Journal

Surius, XM and LBS

The New York Times Wheels blog offers insight into up and coming offerings from the mergeable satellite radio companies.

XM is touting its new NavWeather service. For an additional $3.99 a month, current weather information is correlated with drivers’ positions so that warnings about impending meteorological disasters are flashed on a navigation system’s screen and routes can be recalculated. One wonders how often such a feature might be useful (are tornadoes or hail storms common in your area?), but it’s an added hook that when tied to live traffic reports could make some drivers’ trips smoother.

The first appearance will be in the Accura 2009 TSX.

Not to be outdone, next door at the Sirius booth the company was hawking its new Travel Link service, which is $6.99 a month. It doesn’t include weather warnings related to a driver’s route (just a standard weather report), but it does have several so-called location-based services, including local gas prices and movie listings en route. Travel Link will be available in 2009 Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury models.