Remotely sensed data of Haiti became the basis for updating maps of the devastated capital of Port-au-Prince when a 7.0 magnitude earthquake ripped through the country. Suddenly government, NGO, and volunteers collaborated using imagery provided by multiple sources including the USGS, NOAA, Google, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye and many other geospatial technology firms. The result was not only a tremendous outpouring of charity, but a technological success via social geonetworks and government agencies. Directions Magazine editor in chief Joe Francica provides a synopsis of how remote sensing became the foundation for many of Haiti’s rescue efforts.
It seems that eventually everyone will be carrying a GPS device. If so, will you ever need your location-aware mobile device to prove your whereabouts if you are the focus of litigation? From capturing the location of a car accident to something more sinister like being accused of a crime, information to prove your location may become more important and technology may be called upon to prove innocence or guilt. Editor in chief Joe Francica ponders the possibility and provides advice from a legal expert familiar with geospatial technology.
This week, DMTV takes a look at location-based services discussed at the Consumer Electronics Show in early January. The car manufacturers were pushing more Internet connectivity with a concept called the "connected automobile" while geospatial technology providers like NAVTEQ (NAVTEQ True) and Tele Atlas (ADAS) were touting 3D data for better car performance and driver enhancements for navigation. Ford CEO Alan Mulally provided insights on Ford’s new technlogy to enhance the driver experience in apps that work with Microsoft Sync and other innovations included with "myFord." Editor in chief Joe Francica provides a synopsis of the news and his take on why 3D data are a must.
Directions Media’s Editor in Chief Joe Francica looks at cloud computing and how geospatial technology vendors are only just now beginning to think about a business model. Joe shares information from IDC’s Top Ten predictions for 2010, and specifically that company’s expectations for cloud computing. Finally, looking at satellite imagery from both DigitalGlobe and GeoEye, he discusses how these data suppliers are contributing to the rescue efforts for the Haitian earthquake. (6:04 in length)
In this inaugural episode of DMTV from Directions Media, editor in chief Joe Francica discusses the predictions for information technology spending by market research firm IDC and what that might mean for the geospatial information technology sector. See IDC’s complete list of top 10 predications.
