SpatialPoint is launching a Microsoft Virtual Earth and SQL Server 2008-based application showing the potential of that application's new spatial datatypes. Using the Federal Communication Commission's (FCC) radio station coverage polygons and a routing function, a user can plot an anticipated driving route to find those stations broadcasting the Super Bowl. SpatialPoint has created a website called "Follow the Game" to assist sports fans who have to miss seeing the game.

So what's special about this? All point in polygon and polyline functionality was developed with the CTP-5 release of Katmai. The app uses Virtual Earth for geocoding and routing as well as some of SpatialPoint's Atlas technology. The application is free to the public and while the site is live now, some printing functionality needs to be implemented. Printing the map will show both the station call letters and frequencies. I plotted a route from Glencoe IL to Huntsville AL; the web will have directions such as the following:

You can tune in station WSCR-AM (670) broadcasting out of CHICAGO immediately. Coverage should last for about 131.78 miles.
You can tune in station WTMJ-AM (620) broadcasting out of MILWAUKEE immediately. Coverage should last for about 18.31 miles.
Depart on Dundee Rd (West) (1.01 mi)
1 Road name changes to SR-68 [Dundee Rd] (0.16 mi)
2 Take Ramp (RIGHT) onto I-94 [US-41] (13.17 mi)

I tested the application and it's pretty cool...you'll notice a few bugs which may require you to reset the map but in general, I'd use it if I were going to miss the game.


Predication: Green Bay over Patriots 28-24.

Kanwar Chadha is interviewed by Joe Francica on his views about LBS in 2007 and beyond. "Having native location technology on the device allows consumers to get much more benefit from different kinds of applications than if location was sort of an add-on feature,” says Chadha. "There can be a broad range of services like social networking that can be brought up on a platform if you assume that location is native. So, if you look at it like, why should I add GPS and it costs me money, you reverse the paradigm, and say, if I have location, I have multiple ways of making money through services, through advertisements, etc." Chadha also provides his perspective on the hype surrounding LBS applications and whether it is for real? Chadha says, "The fact that location is native into all of these emerging platforms is a very strong indicator that people are serious about enabling multiple applications with location…there are some things that are fundamental to the nature of your business or your life in a mobile world…and location is one of those core elements."

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