Tuesday, November 24. 2009

Podcast: Implications for Twitter's Geolocation API

Last week Twitter released its geolocation API, an interface for developers to tack on, and gain access to the point locations from which tweets are sent, so long as users turn it "on." What are the possibilities for a giant, near-real time set of 140 character comments from around the world? Our editors contemplate challenges, opportunities and possible uses.

Posted by Adena Schutzberg in Real-Time/Dynamic Data, Directions on the News Podcast, Social Networking at 01:00 | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) |

Sunday, November 22. 2009

Update: Foursquare API Arrives

And, now you can see what developers have built in the gallery! That was fast. With the Foursquare API and Twitter's geolocation API now available, I can better understand how the two are in competition. And, Foursquare has an edge: built in reasons to share your location.

Posted by Adena Schutzberg in Social Networking at 09:09 | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) |

Friday, November 20. 2009

Twitter Geo API Available

It went live yesterday (Twitter blog) and the Twittersphere was excited. The only challenge: it's an API so only developers, not end users, could do anything with it. Further, you can't take advantage of the API from the website, so, no cool location maps when using Twitter.com. But, those developers who build their own apps are already using the API: Birdfeed, Seesmic Web, Foursquare, Gowalla, Twidroid, Twittelator Pro. There's a nice best practices doc for developers, that's also valuable for end-users, I must say.

For us end-users on the site: for now, all you can do is turn the geotagging feature on or off (it's OFF by default). You do that via your settings where you can also delete your location history.

ReadWriteWeb has a nice overview of the kinds of apps the API may make possible.

Posted by Adena Schutzberg in Social Networking at 07:33 | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) |

Thursday, November 19. 2009

Crossing the Border Safely, With LBS

b.a.n.g lab's Transborder Immigrant Tool is an LBS app built to run on an inexpensive cell phone designed to help Mexican immigrants safely cross the border.

From an interview with the team's Ricardo Dominguez:

We looked at the Motorola i455 cell phone, which is under $30, available even cheaper on eBay, and includes a free GPS applet. We were able to crack it and create a simple compasslike navigation system. We were also able to add other information, like where to find water left by the Border Angels, where to find Quaker help centers that will wrap your feet, how far you are from the highway--things to make the application really benefit individuals who are crossing the border.

Posted by Adena Schutzberg in LBS at 06:40 | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) |

Monday, November 16. 2009

Dutch to Tax Drivers Based on Driving Distance, Road Time using GPS

According to the Associated Press, the Netherlands will levy a tax based on the time spent driving in order to reduce congested highways. When the plan takes effect in 2012, a GPS monitoring system will track the distance, time, and place of drivers who will pay a few cents per kilometer. The tax replaces an annual road tax that amounts to approximately $900 per year for a mid-size car.

Posted by Joe Francica in Tracking, LBS, GPS, Sensors, Navigation, Routing, Tracking, Logistics at 01:17 | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) |

Friday, November 13. 2009

Update: TownMe: An LBS API

Update: Released.

- TechCrunch

Posted by Adena Schutzberg in LBS at 08:02 | Comments (2) | Trackbacks (0) |