#ESRIUC Kids Camp on NPR

It was on All Things Considered.

- NPR via Twitter

Update: ESRI to Offer Free Location Data App

It’s out - came out before ESRI UC. More interesting? Esri did not write it; Sourcebits did. Here’s the Sourcebits page about it.

via @iphone_app_deve

—- original post 7/2/10—-

I just love the headline, from GovTech, clearly aimed at generic tech folks. The one from Computerworld blog is fun, too: “Cool iPhone app gives lowdown on any neighborhood.”

For those in GIS, I’d write:

ESRI Offer Business Analyst Online via iPhone App

The app has been submitted to Apple for approval, which is expected next week. Next platform? Maybe iPad or Android.

From GovTech:

Originally BAO was built with commercial realtors in mind. But ESRI sources said they realized the app would be useful for government agencies’ economic development initiatives, thanks to the wealth of demographic data the app can access. The company claims this data—which was researched in-house by ESRI demographers, statisticians and economists—sets BAO apart from other “here’s the stuff around you” type of applications.

From Computerworld:

What’s in it for ESRI? The GIS vendor sells the back-end infrastructure that delivers such data in a mapping context. By giving away the app, ESRI hopes to stoke demand for its GIS systems by creating markets for new types of applications that go well beyond traditional government uses, such as for wetlands and tax map overlays.

- GovTech

LBS Tidbits

Blackberry now offers developers access to cell tower-based location information. A bit late I guess, but required these days.

- Blackberry Dev Blog

Scvngr has added a new challenge to its games: a social check-in where you checking with a friend (or several) by bumping phones. That earns you more points than checking in alone or posting a picture or other challenges.

- Venturebeat

Seeking Alpha thinks Nokia could make further gains in LBS by acquiring 1020 Placecast. It would complement the MetaCarta implementation says the report.

- Seeking Alpha

Australia’s Where IS may be out driving to create its own StreetView.

- C|net

Esri Supports Code for America

Seattle was having trouble gathering cash to get its program (akin to “Teach for America” but for code) up and running unlike other cities that have all they need. An event on Sunday brought out checks from Esri and Microsoft.

The other four cities—Philadelphia, Boston, Washington, D.C. and Boulder—have already raised the funds for their projects. But Seattle hasn’t done so, one of the reasons why members of the Code for America team were in Seattle last night.

Among those who offered support were Microsoft and ESRI, both of which wrote $50,000 checks. Mike and Monica Harrington, who were not in attendance, also donated $10,000 to the cause.

- TechFlash

- press release

Update: Congressmen’s Questions for Apple re: Location Privacy

And, Apple answered the questions in the time frame requested. The answers were made public yesterday and boil down to: location data is only shared with third parties with user permission, otherwise, its anonymous.

- C|net (entire response is posted there as well)

—- original post 6/25/10—-

Reps. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Joe Barton (R-Texas), co-chairman of the House Bi-Partisan Privacy Caucus, sent a letter to Apple CEO Steve Jobs asking about the new privacy policy that highlights the company’s collection and sharing of location data. They want answers by July 12. The detailed questions are in the referenced article.

- Washington Post