Channel 9 - Entries tagged with LBS

Foursquare Comes to Windows Mobile

Sarah Perez — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 14:39:00 GMT

The mobile social network Foursquare has just become available as an (unofficial) Windows Phone application. In case you’re unfamiliar, the idea behind this mobile social network is a bit different than other location-based networks like Brightkite, for example. Where on Brightkite, you post short status updates as you would on Twitter, Foursquare turns mobile social networking into a game. With this application, you’re rewarding for “checking in” at new locations, for doing new things, and for meeting new people. The more you play, the more points and badges you earn.

Foursquare is available already as both an iPhone application and a mobile web site, but now, thanks to Anand Iyer, there’s a Windows Phone version of this game, too. Anand admits his app is somewhat rudimentary since he’s not a designer and really not a regular programmer either. However, he has cranked out this .NET 3.5 app written in C# which uses cell towers to determine your location. By accessing Foursquare’s API, you’re presented with a list of places you can check into and you can also do searches for a venue if need be.

The application is still being tested, so if you want to help out with that process, just send him an email and he’ll send you the CAB file to download.

Find your Kids with Virtual Earth and AT&T

Sarah Perez — Wed, 13 May 2009 18:49:00 GMT

AT&T recently launched a new child locator service called FamilyMap which lets parents track down their children’s location by using their cell phones. Unlike some of the GPS-enabled mobile social networking/tracking applications, FamilyMap doesn’t require the user (the child) to input their location manually – the tracking is automatic and uses the phone’s built-in GPS.

Once activated, parents can then log into the FamilyMap web site from either their mobile device or PC and track their kids’ whereabouts on a Microsoft Virtual Earth map which even supports Bird’s Eye view. (Bird’s Eye view is that angled view of an area that gives you more detail and context than aerial photos). They can also choose to receive alerts at specified times via text or email. For example, parents could request a schedule check every weekday at 4 p.m. to check on their child’s location.

The service costs $9.99 per month to locate up to two family members or $14.99 per month thereafter to locate up to five family members. This is more affordable than Verizon’s Chaperone service ($9.99 per child) but is more than Sprint’s Family Locator (4 phones for $5/mo).

If you’re thinking its creepy to track your kids like this, rest assured – the service isn’t enabled on the sly without the kids knowledge. Phones being tracked with receive a text message from the AT&T FamilyMap service when they become locatable and will continue to receive periodic notifications via text that they can be located. So really, the service is intended more to be used for safety reasons or just the convenience of knowing where everyone in the family is located, not for stalking or spying.

If you’re an AT&T customer, you can ho to www.att.com/familymap and click the Get First 30 Days Free button to try the service now.

(via Chris Pendleton)

Where 2.0 Am I?

JD Lewin — Mon, 17 Jul 2006 18:27:59 GMT

You're at the Where 2.0 conference! A gathering to discuss maps, global positioning, mobile devices, and anything else that relates to your location on the planet. We spoke with a handful of the presenters at Where 2.0, rode someone else's electric scooter, and wrapped up the evening with some thoughts from Tim O'Reilly himself.