New Geo APIs - 2/22/12

Bing Traffic API: The Bing Traffic API provides information about traffic incidents and issues, such as construction sites and traffic congestion. Traffic incident information is currently available for the United States and Canada. Users can also get information about traffic issues that met the criteria specified in the URL request, such as map area, incident type and severity. The API uses RESTful calls and responses are formatted in XML and JSON.

deCarta MapSearch Engine API: deCarta is a location based services provider. The Map Search Engine API gives developers the ability to implement local search on their web sites and applications. The API can search address and point of interest data sourced from content partners. Developers can also overlay their own searchable content onto the map. MapSearch Engine is “white label”, allowing customers to unitize their own UI, branding and content. The API uses RESTful calls and responses are formatted in XML, JSON, JSONP and XHTML.

- Programmable Web

Bonus: 40 real estate APIs

- +skipcody

Waze, Safely and Rxs and other LBS News

A company called LowestMed has launched a mobile app that allows consumers to compare drug prices at their local pharmacy chains.

The app will be a mobile extension of the company's Web resource for comparative drug prices and prescription discount cards.

- eWeek

Waze launched version 3.0 for Android. "The latest iteration of the app features a complete overhaul from the ground up, including a new minimalist graphic interface as well as Foursquare and Yelp POI integration to make it the most powerful local search navigation system on the market."

- press release

RunKeeper has nine new partners using its API, bringing the total to 45. New ones include:

1. Fleetly: Lets users track and improve their Fitness Level in a social game.
2. Pedometer Ultimate: Turns your iPhone or iPod touch into a powerful GPS stopwatch.
3. Nexercise: An interactive game that makes fitness fun.
4. CleverRun: Predicts your target time for your next race and compares your runs to runs of the same distance.
5. Cycle Log: Helps cyclists track performance with GPS mapping, interval timers, voice cues and more.
6. Coachya: Helps coaches provide training plans, track, manage and bill their teams and athletes.
7. Vitogo: Lets you log your strength training with coaching, motivation and social support.
8. Weighty: Allows you to submit your weight and fat percentage to the Health Graph.
9. Scosche myTREK: A wireless pulse monitor that is worn on your forearm and lets you manage your pulse, training type, calories burned, distance/speed/pace and more.

(I don't use RunKeeper or any phone based workout app. I just use my old Garmin Forerunner 201. It's the one Kate M. gave me after I lost my first one.)

- Bostoninno

Safely, the family safety app suite from Location Labs is announcing it "has enabled more than one billion family safety location checks since inception." And, there's a new feature: a check-in feature for the kids - so they don't have to call to say where they are.

- press release

Google Chooses Inrix for Traffic Data in Eight European Countries

Contract to implementation: 45 days.

Geekwire calls the deal "multi-milion dollar" and has some quotes from CEO Bryan Mistele .

Patent Suit Against Layar, Glympse, Trulia (and others) for using Traffic Information

Traffic Information (a Texas LLC) is suing a long list of financial and geo companies (below) for infringing on U.S. Patent No. 6,466,862 issued Oct. 15, 2002, for System for Providing Traffic Information. 

Abstract:

A system for providing traffic information to a plurality of mobile users connected to a network. The system comprises a plurality of traffic monitors, each comprising at least a traffic detector and a transmitter, the traffic detector generating a signal in response to vehicular traffic and the transmitter transmitting the signal. A receiver receives the signals from the traffic monitors. A computer system is connected to the receiver and is further connected to the network. The computer system in response to a request signal received from one of the users transmits in response thereto information representative of the signals transmitted by the traffic monitoring units. Alternative systems for gathering traffic information are disclosed.

Travel News: Inrix, HopSpot

On Wednesday INRIX released an updated version of INRIX Traffic for Windows Phone 7. "This community-powered traffic app provides WP7 users up-to-the-minute traffic information and traffic forecasts for drivers routes which saves time, money and reduces frustration traveling to the places they go every day." You get: real-time traffic conditions, incidents along your route, and traffic impacting events in your area and these new features:

1. Traffic Forecasts: Look up to 8 hours ahead to see what you can expect when you hit the road.  Nobody likes to be late and this feature helps drivers determine the best time to leave based on how traffic conditions are expected to impact travel times.
2. Quick Reporting: Report accidents and police activity along your route to help other drivers save time and travel safely.
3. Landscape Mode: For additional versatility based on viewing preference.

It's free from the Microsoft App Marketplace.

- INRIX e-mail

HopStop has a new tool on its website (soon to be added to apps): it "allows commuters searching for local directions to their next destination to quantify the positive impact of their transit-based travel on the environment, as compared to driving a car, and to identify the best transit route in order to minimize their carbon footprint."

- HopStop e-mail, press release