Google/LBS Tidbits
Google has updated the quality of borders in Maps and Earth.
Reuters is reporting that Google, Motorola and HTC have been working along side Raytheon to develop software which could allow a soldier on the battlefield to gain important information via an Android OS device.
According to Raytheon, Google has helped push the limits of the phone and integrate features such as detailed satellite imagery, unmanned drone video and even tap into the Patriot missile system itself. This software could certainly allow the soldiers to gain all the intelligence they need to authorize a missile launch, and one day may even launch missiles from their phones.
BrightKite now offers “levels” for its badges so that super visitors can be distinguished from just regular ones. The idea is to generate more data and more rewards for those who check in. And, to distinguish the offering from Foursquare where only mayors get rewards.
- Mashable
Foursquare reached its millionth check in.
- PC World
Bing Maps is powering FaceBook Stories.
GeoLoco was an LBS event this week in San Francisco. (I suspect being packed in around ESRI UC, the unconference, SOTM and other things it got a bit overshadowed in the geospatial areana.) Wade Roush, my former local Xconomy infotech guy, was there and reported on the event which focused on making money from location. I like his list of takeaways:
- It’s not about finding yourself on a digital map; it’s about the intelligence you’re providing to marketers in the process.
- To gain users for your location-based service, give them rewards, make it fun, appeal to their narcissism–and be nice to journalists.
- Check-ins themselves are becoming passe, so location-based networking companies have to provide value in other ways.
- If Facebook ever gets serious about location, it could be game over for a lot of other companies.
- How location-driven services handle privacy issues could make or break them.
- It’s still early days, and there’s plenty of room for innovation by startups.
- Xconomy
