Friday, August 29. 2008

Apple Store Location Analysis: Stores Reflect US Population

The map and analysis from ifoAppleStore is here. Perhaps some geographers and demographers want to weigh in? Also, anyone know what tools Apple uses to locate these?

Thursday, August 28. 2008

Good News for GeoEye: Google Exclusive Deal for High Res GeoEye 1 Imagery

The news popped Thursday night. Of course the bird is not in the sky yet (it launches next week) and the imagery won't be available for another 45- 60 days. But after that assuming all is well with the satellite and receiving stations, Google will add .5 meter (corrected was: .41 meter; corrected per direct communication from Google and comment) to Google Maps and Google Earth.

No word on the price tag, but it should be a good deal: the deal stipulates the imagery not go to any other on-line mapping websites. And, if it matters, Google's logo is on the rocket.

- Reuters

Sprint to Offer Localized Services via WiMAX - including Autodesk LS

Sprint's OHMTM WiMAX mobile broadband is poised to launch in Baltimore in September year. It's high speed wireless, basically, but, it "will be largely location-centric,” explained Rick Robinson, vice president of XOHM Services. “We’re creating a new dimension to online presence, making points of interest near your current location easy to identify and access. This ‘geobrowsing’ effect provides location context and will give XOHM members a richer personal broadband experience when they’re mobile.”

I read this as: this service is more "LBS-y" than say your iPhone with AT&T service. Perhaps; for now the list of app and platform providers is quite familiar: uLocate, Yelp, Accuweather, OpenWave, Google... One is a surprise to me:

Autodesk Inc. of San Rafael, Calif., will provide a standards-based interface and geospatial services, such as addresses, ZIP code and city/state information, to enhance location within the XOHM network.

I think that means the Autodesk Location Services platform will be available for developers. We've not heard much from Autodesk's LBS corner for a while, so this is good news.

- press release

Clever marketing from "Navtec"

I was minding my own business doing some news searches this morning when a sponsored ad appeared next to my Google search.



Navtec? That's not how you spell it! It's now NAVTEQ but back in the day was NAVTECH. Must be some scammer playing on the name to get folks to buy their... Ooops. The link takes one to navigation.com, the URL NAVTEQ has for its map update store.

I'm so naive.

Next Phase of GPS-based Mobile Gaming?

Despite all the hoopla, GPS-enabled mobile games have not exploded. But Wayfinder, a GPS services provider, says the time has come and they will enable the great games. How? By providing an API to their gaming platform to forum members on September 30.

- TechRadar
- press release

Web GIS vs. Web-enabled GIS

I can't say I'd run into the latter term until today in the Ionia Sentinel-Standard (Michigan). The term is in the headline and throughout the "we're getting Web-enabled GIS" story. Allied Information Solutions will create the system at a cost of $20,000 plus $5000/year maintenance. I wondered if the consultants, AIS use the term? I found two webpages that might relate to the company one was a placeholder listing three offices, the other was "under construction."

So, I look at Clinton County's site, noted in the article as being up and running with Web-enabled GIS. I found this page which uses the terms:
On-Line Mapping Service and On-Line Mapping. That said the text confirms "This is a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) application brought to you by Clinton County, MI. It was designed by PlanSight LLC using ArcIMS."

I'm thinking this won't be sorted out anytime soon!