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User-Generated Content Will Be a Key Component of Maps, Navigation, and Location-Based Services
Written by ABI Research
Tuesday, 26 February 2008
LONDON-- As users become familiar with the concepts of location-based
services and navigation, the industry continually explores how best to
offer additional location-relevant content.
While professionally produced content such as map updates, Points of Interest (POIs), and safety camera locations continue to be the core of many location aware services, user-generated content is becoming increasingly important to industry players’ strategies, according to a recent report from ABI Research.
In recent months, major players and small start-up companies have launched services that engage user communities in updating their existing content and creating new dynamic real-time content. Many of these initiatives are embedded within a mobile social networking context in which real-time experiences are shared.
“TomTom has announced that it reached the milestone of 1 million map improvements, as suggested by users via the company’s Map Share technology,” says ABI Research principal analyst Dominique Bonte. “This feature allows users to enter map corrections on their PNDs (Personal Navigation Devices) while driving. The TomTom Map Share community has grown to more than 500,000 users since its launch in July 2007, demonstrating the willingness of users to contribute to the enhancement of digital map quality. The acquisition of Tele Atlas will allow TomTom to further improve its Map Share technology and to strengthen its community.”
On the other side of the spectrum, start-up GyPSii officially launched its mobile social networking application at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. GyPSii lets users create and share location-based content via their mobile phones. It combines features such as friend-finder, POI search, and the option to upload and share geo-tagged pictures and video. In the future, location-based advertising will be added.
“As connected PNDs, handset-based pedestrian navigation, and location-based services begin to emerge,” concludes Bonte, “user-generated location content will become a key component that permits companies to enhance their services with real-time information in a cost-effective way that strengthens their communities and brand names. Initiatives like GyPSii may ultimately reach a status comparable with existing social networking sites, such as Facebook and MySpace.”
User-Generated Digital Maps and POIs (http://www.abiresearch.com/products/market_research/UGMP), a recent report from ABI Research, examines the major user-generated location content features, players, trends, drivers, and barriers. The report also forecasts the number of community-ready navigation devices and the number of active users involved in user-generated content initiatives. It forms part of the firm’s Location Aware Services (http://www.abiresearch.com/products/service/Location_Aware_Services) Research Service.
ABI Research is a leading market research firm focused on the impact of emerging technologies on global consumer and business markets. Utilizing a unique blend of market intelligence, primary research, and expert assessment from its worldwide team of industry analysts, ABI Research assists hundreds of clients each year with their strategic growth initiatives. For information, visit www.abiresearch.com, or call +1.516.624.2500.
Do you have a location-aware application, social location service or other location-sensitive service that you'd like to share with us? Please browse this growing directory of Social location Services and feel free to leave a link to your favorite service! See the Directory HERE
Navigation and Location Europe 2009 - Europe's largest gathering of Navigation & Location pioneers is back for the 5th year. The conference strives to keep one step ahead of the market by providing the most up to date business information. June 10-11, 2009
Where 2.0 Conference 2009 - The O'Reilly Where 2.0 Conference will pinpoint how far location
technology has reached, explore the boundaries of geospace, and point
the way into the location frontier at the Fairmont Hotel in San Jose,
CA, May 19-21, 2009. O'Reilly Media and program chair Brady Forrest
invite proposals for conference sessions, workshops, demos, and panels
for Where 2.0 2009.
Telematics Detroit 2009 Conference & Exhibition, June 2-3
- The world's leading event for the digital in-car and mobile industry
is back for another successful year. Telematics content and service
strategies for winning hyper connected customers will be revealed.
