Last week, ComScore M:Metrics released new statistics showing the growth of mobile map usage in the U.S. and in Europe. In this case, mobile maps includes turn-by-turn GPS navigation services like TeleNav GPS Navigator or accessing a static maps service via a Web browser on your phone.

Here is a quick look at the increase by country:

Pretty amazing increase since last year - especially in the US - 82%!

ComScore attributed some of this growth to the iPhone which allows access to static maps.

It’s also worth noting, however, that since May of 2007, numerous devices from carriers like AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Alltel have all launched with GPS navigation capabilities. More and more people are realizing that GPS navigation can be useful not just for traveling but also on a daily basis - to avoid traffic, find businesses, meet friends etc.

One other note from the study that I thought was interesting - more and more people seem to be transitioning from accessing maps on their PCs to accessing them on their mobile phones.

How about you? Now that you are using a navigation service on your phone, do you still look at maps online?

Bookmark and Share This

Close Bookmark and Share This Page

Save to Browser Favorites / Bookmarks

Ask backflip blinklist BlogBookmark Bloglines BlogMarks Blogsvine BuddyMarks BUMPzee! CiteULike co.mments Connotea del.icio.us

Digg diigo DotNetKicks DropJack dzone Facebook Fark Faves Feed Me Links Friendsite folkd.com Furl Google

Hugg Jamespot Jeqq Kaboodle kirtsy linkaGoGo LinkedIn LinksMarker Ma.gnolia Mister Wong Mixx MySpace MyWeb

Netvouz Newsvine oneview OnlyWire PlugIM Propeller Reddit Rojo Segnalo Shoutwire Simpy Slashdot Sphere

Sphinn Spurl Squidoo StumbleUpon Technorati ThisNext Twitter Webride Windows Live Worlds Movies Yahoo!

Email This to a Friend

Copy HTML: 

 If you like this then please subscribe to the RSS Feed or Email Feed.

Powered by Bookmarkify™

More »

Author—Mary Beth Lowell - Communications Manager

Breaking news from Apple’s Developer Conference today - GPS will be on the new 3G iPhone! Click here for more details.

(Image source: Engadget.com)

Bookmark and Share This

Close Bookmark and Share This Page

Save to Browser Favorites / Bookmarks

Ask backflip blinklist BlogBookmark Bloglines BlogMarks Blogsvine BuddyMarks BUMPzee! CiteULike co.mments Connotea del.icio.us

Digg diigo DotNetKicks DropJack dzone Facebook Fark Faves Feed Me Links Friendsite folkd.com Furl Google

Hugg Jamespot Jeqq Kaboodle kirtsy linkaGoGo LinkedIn LinksMarker Ma.gnolia Mister Wong Mixx MySpace MyWeb

Netvouz Newsvine oneview OnlyWire PlugIM Propeller Reddit Rojo Segnalo Shoutwire Simpy Slashdot Sphere

Sphinn Spurl Squidoo StumbleUpon Technorati ThisNext Twitter Webride Windows Live Worlds Movies Yahoo!

Email This to a Friend

Copy HTML: 

 If you like this then please subscribe to the RSS Feed or Email Feed.

Powered by Bookmarkify™

More »

Author—Bob Rennard - CTO and Co-Founder

Apple’s recent announcement that the iPhone will use Skyhook Wireless’ Wi-Fi location-aware technology has stirred conversation in the press about using Wi-Fi on cell phones vs. using GPS technology. 

I tend to agree with Patrick Connelly, an analyst with IMS research, who stated that the two technologies are more complimentary than competitive. However, one will not replace the other. 

If you are in an “urban canyon” such as Manhattan, securing a GPS fix may be a challenge, especially with phones that do not use the wireless network to assist the GPS receiver in finding the location (assisted vs. autonomous GPS). In this case, for some location-based services, Wi-Fi access points may be an alternative or complimentary to GPS. However, until Wi-Fi access points reach a critical mass in these cities, the location could still be off by nearly 300 feet, especially if the wireless access point is moved after its location is recorded. This obviously would not work for services like driver navigation but may be reasonable for pedestrians who are not moving as quickly.

In more suburban or rural areas, GPS is still clearly the primary choice for most location-based applications since Wi-Fi access points will be few and far between. Some companies have discussed using personal Wi-Fi access points (i.e. you or your neighbor’s Wi-Fi service) in suburban areas, but this could be a huge privacy issue. I don’t see this happening any time soon. 

Other than Skyhook, there are other companies providing some interesting location-aware technologies. Qualcomm and Navizon are also working on Wi-Fi location-aware technologies. Another interesting technology is that of Rosum. Rosum is combining TV with GPS signals to develop a technology that will ideally provide more location-capturing capabilities indoor (where GPS is limited). 

Bookmark and Share This

Close Bookmark and Share This Page

Save to Browser Favorites / Bookmarks

Ask backflip blinklist BlogBookmark Bloglines BlogMarks Blogsvine BuddyMarks BUMPzee! CiteULike co.mments Connotea del.icio.us

Digg diigo DotNetKicks DropJack dzone Facebook Fark Faves Feed Me Links Friendsite folkd.com Furl Google

Hugg Jamespot Jeqq Kaboodle kirtsy linkaGoGo LinkedIn LinksMarker Ma.gnolia Mister Wong Mixx MySpace MyWeb

Netvouz Newsvine oneview OnlyWire PlugIM Propeller Reddit Rojo Segnalo Shoutwire Simpy Slashdot Sphere

Sphinn Spurl Squidoo StumbleUpon Technorati ThisNext Twitter Webride Windows Live Worlds Movies Yahoo!

Email This to a Friend

Copy HTML: 

 If you like this then please subscribe to the RSS Feed or Email Feed.

Powered by Bookmarkify™

More »