Location Based Services ( LBS) and Location Aware Computing ( LAC)
Generations of Location based Services:
First generation LBS: Require the user to manually input location in the form of a street address or postal code and are typically available to stationary desktop computers or mobile units. Examples of this include Map Quest, MapsOnUs, or other local information services.
Second generation LBS: These are available today and have the ability to determine rough locations typically at the postal code level. Using a device such as the PalmVII to access the PalmNet data network, a mobile user can find restaurants or gas stations in order of proximity or travel directions. Examples include Google's SMS (Beta) and Microsoft's MapPoint Location Servers’ LBS.
Third generation LBS:
These are more location aware, taking advantage of more precise positional
information and have the capability to initiate services proactively based
on location. These services can notify the user of relevant events or
conditions without the active participation of the user such as traffic
alerts that meet the user’s preset preferences. One of the first
applications to implement this location aware feature is
Garmin Mobile
launched in September 2005.
Garmin Mobile is a
software application that lets compatible cell phones function as versatile
GPS
navigators. Detailed maps and turn-by-turn directions make it easy to locate
addresses anywhere in the United States and Puerto Rico. It also allows
searching of nearly six million points of interest (POIs) — places like
hotels, restaurants, shopping, and tourist attractions and allows dialing
the POIs phone number automatically for reservations, hours of operation, or
other information. When queried about a address location, it automatically
calculate the fastest route to the destination — providing voice-prompted
turn directions along the way. Garmin Mobile is the first phone navigation
application that visually depicts and constantly updates the user’s position
on a detailed moving map.
Available Location based Services:
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