Category Archives: mobile location
Danger of cameraphone photos’ location data exposed
Rating: Alleged hacker caught via iPhone photograph
We’ve long known that most people are unaware that when they take photos, embedded into the digital file is a whole wealth of location information. If you’ve got GPS (satellite) switched on then that information can be incredibly precise. As one alleged US hacker recently found out to his [...]
Guest Post: Can cloud powered location based service solutions increase number of mobile users?
Eva Kempinsky looks at how cloud technology will affect mobile
Cloud computing is a hot topic for many in the IT industry and the wider business world, because it affords users a greater degree of scalability and flexibility while easing the pressures on in-house systems and lessening the emphasis which is placed on hardware upgrades. It also has broad implications in the consumer market, because mobile users can benefit from a number of services based in the cloud which could become invaluable in the future. The question is whether or not location-based services powered by the cloud will be able to have a direct impact on the number of mobile subscribers across the world? Continue reading
An Android/iOS app that spies on employees’ smartphones
Rating: Copy9 crosses line between data protection and snooping
When we stumbled across Copy9‘s range of mobile apps, we really weren’t sure whether they were genuine or malware. The company itself describes the product as ‘spyware’ and cites child protection; monitoring cheating spouses or errant employees as reasons to install its apps. The catch is that you have to provide the Copy9 app will exactly the kind of capabilities you would for a nasty piece of malware. So we asked our old buddies at mobile security software specialist, avast! Software, their opinion. This is what Alena Varkockova, Android analyst with the AVAST Virus Lab, said. “This app is an example of the thin line between malicious and PUP (Potentially Unwanted Program).” So GoMobile News bit the bullet and installed Copy9 on an old Android handset lent to us by ZTE. The app does what it claims to do. It spies on the handset for you. For free. Continue reading
YOOSE & Mobsta form alliance for ‘hyper-local’ mobile ad sales
Rating: British Summer of mobile ad opportunities
YOOSE which claims to be a global hyper-local mobile ad network has just announced that it has formed a sales partnership with UK-based premium mobile ad network Mobsta. The consequence is new ‘hyper-local’ service called MobGeo which aims to bring the benefits of ‘precision’ mobile consumer targeting to UK brands and agencies. “The YOOSE platform simply delivers unprecedented hyper-local reach,” claims John Scorah, a co-founder of Mobsta Networks. He adds, “In terms of monthly ad requests that can be qualified at a hyper-local level, the MobGeo service will be able to tap hundreds of millions in the UK alone. The opportunity we can extend to brands and agencies running nationwide campaigns with hyper-local relevance is just phenomenal.” Continue reading
Telmap’s CMO, Motti Kushnir, on being Intel’s LBS arm
Rating: Location Based Service (LBS) is the next big battleground
Never a dull moment when you chat with Motti Kushnir who is Telmap’s CMO. He was explaining to GoMo News the thinking around chip maker, Intel’s, acquisition of the Israeli company back in November [2011]. Incidentally, Kushnir actually pointed out that if you took the software and services division out of Intel, it would probably be the third largest software house in the world. Today [February 23rd 2012], Telmap announced the impending release of its version 6.0 of the Telmap Mobile Location Companion service. However, what Kushnir had to say about the whole LBS sector was intriguing. Like, if Apple doesn’t make LBS a central feature of the iPhone 5 (when that eventually sees the light of day), it will be dead in the water. Continue reading
25% of UK retailers plan location-based investment
Rating: SoLoMo (social, location and mobile) is big news
Over three quarters (78 per cent) of respondents to a focused survey of top UK retail companies stated that strategic investment to enhance consumers’ multi-channel experience will drive retail sales this year. The research was carried out by Coleman Parkes who interviewed a total of 100 c-level and senior decision makers with UK retail organisations. Stibo Systems which commissioned the study believes that it clearly shows cross-channel retailing is a clear priority for UK retailers. Disappointingly only a quarter of retailers say they are actually planning on investing in location-based and geo-spatial technology in 2012. Indeed, around half (48 per cent) planning to enhance their mobile offering by the end of the year. Continue reading
Monitise reveals results of working with Visa & RBS
Rating: What’s in the pipeling with Visa sounds more exciting
Mobile banking software specialist, Monitise, has made a number of announcements concerning the spread of its software in conjunction with its banking partners. One of them has been the results of collaboration with Visa to enhance its issuer processing platform, Visa DPS, to offer mobile services. Visa claims these can be accessed via any mobile device, any mobile channel, and with any eligible debit, credit or prepaid account. The other announcement covers the results of its partnership with RBS Group Technology Services. This has enabled RBS and NatWest to launch new mobile business banking apps. Basically, the group has been able to release a news iOS version of its banking app via the Apple iTunes App store. Continue reading
London cabbies targetted with Hailo app
Rating: Ideal for ladies returning late at night in UK capital
As part of a MWC 2012 prequel, GoMo News attended an event sponsored by the UK’s Department of Trade & Industry (DTI). This year it has run what it calls the Smart UK Project which is intended to highlight those UK firms showing the most innovation in the mobile sector. One of the finalists is Hailo. GoMo News was particularly impressed by this company’s offering because it has looked at the world of mobile apps from both angles. Not only does this app build on the advantages derived from location aware handsets in the handset of consumers, it only does the same thing for handsets on the dashboards of professionals, too. Continue reading
Apps help Bristol police recover stolen mobile devices
Rating: Three apps – Locatemyphone, Findmyiphone and Prey seem particularly effective
It seems that the Avon and Somerset police in the Bristol area are enjoying considerable success re-uniting smartphone and laptop owners with their stolen property. A report on the Avon and Somerset Constabulary blog here shows that three apps in particular have enabled them to [...]
Claris-Euclid Store Experience Program improves analytics for stores
Rating: The trick lies in the clever use of Wi-fi detection
Claris Solutions has joined forces with Euclid Elements to offer a what they are calling a ‘game-changing solution’ to improve store performance through the application of unique visitor-based information and expert analytics. The pair claims that the Claris-Euclid Store Experience Program turns shopper data into performance improvements with the development of custom solutions for each client. Wade Mosteller, a senior partner at Claris explained, “The Euclid technology revolutionises the way Claris can help our clients improve their store’s performance. The data that is captured and reported by Euclid’s solution gives our consultants valuable insight and leads to fantastic new ideas to improve retail operations.” Continue reading
Pin Drop brings spatial bookmarking to the iPhone
Rating: There’s also a Pin Drop API coming soon
The limited functionality of the native iPhone map app has inspired Andy Ashburner, co-founder of Pin Drop to develop an app of the same name. Its aim is to help people mark locations that matter to them. Ashburner claims, “I wanted something to keep a record of [...]
Software analysis could be mobile operators’ secret weapon
Rating: Location based services could well be the trigger
The subject of software analysis and measurement wouldn’t have attracted anybody’s attention in the mobile sector, had it not been for the recent three day outage suffered by RIM. This showed that software is just another component in a complete solution, according to Lev Lesokhin of specialist [...]
Location based revenues will double by 2016
Rating: Latest report from Berg Insight
Mobile location based service (LBS) revenues in Europe are forecast to grow from €205 million in 2010 to reach € 435 million in 2016, according to a new report published by Berg Insight. The company estimates that 20 per cent of all mobile subscribers in Europe already use some kind of location-enhanced application on a regular basis. Local search, social networking and navigation services are the top application categories in terms of number of users. The social networking category is forecast to experience the highest growth in the coming years. Continue reading
Book offers useful insights into Bluetooth marketing
Rating: Based on experiences of WCIT’s CEO - Petros Kondos
When the author of this book contacted GoMo News, we discovered that he was right. There are very few publications which comprehensively document the use of Bluetooth proximity marketing. So, as a reference work, ‘ Mobile phones, Bluetooth and location based marketing‘ by Petros Kondos is almost certainly unique. Given the glowing reviews it has received on Amazon, Kondos’ work also appears to be a jolly good read. This book is based on Kondos’ experience as CEO of WCIT (Wireless Customer Interactive Technologies). This South African company stopped trading in 2010 after five years but GoMo News is prepared to believe Kondos’ claim that WCIT pushed the boundaries of Bluetooth location-based marketing further than any other entity. The good news is that although it costs $3.46 for the Kindle version here, cheapskates can download the .pdf for free here. Continue reading
Intel acquires mapping expert – Telmap
Rating: Just as Nokia shuts down Navteq
Intel chose a keynote speech at app developers conference in Seattle (any irony here?) to announce that it had signed an agreement to acquire Telmap which will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Intel. The news comes at the same time Nokia was forced to announce that it is closing down its NAVTEQ mapping and location based services (LBS) operations in Bonn, Germany and Malvern, USA with an expected loss of 1,300 jobs. The contrast couldn’t possibly be greater. GoMo News can only speculate that Intel might have decided to go for Telmap as a means of avoiding any reliance on Google Maps. Don’t forget, Intel hasn’t entirely given up on MeeGo, either. Continue reading
