When I Was Young

From Technology

Today • Friday • June 27, 2008

Location-based applications for mobile phones are going to be a really big deal

HEDIRMAN SUPIAN

hedirman@mediacorp.com.sg

LOCATION-BASED applications for mobile phones seem to be the next big thing after social networking websites. Dr Vint Cerf, one of the famed “fathers of the Internet” and Google’s chief Internet evangelist, told the local press on a recent visit that he was a big believer in investing in the geographical indexing of information and making it useful for people.

“The idea of having information relevant to where you are is hugely appealing,” he said. “It’s tremendously valuable to find out what you can do nearby.”

It’s no surprise that quite a number of top applications developed for Google’s upcoming Android platform for mobiles are location-based. Apple chief Steve Jobs is also a believer, saying at the launch of the GPS-capable iPhone 3G phone that such services are “going to be a really big deal”.

Location-sensing technology in the form of Global Positioning System (GPS) is becoming a more common feature, even in mid-range phones from the likes of Nokia. GPS-device maker Garmin has also developed a touch-screen mobile phone — the nuvifone — wrapped around the concept of location-based applications.

Faster connectivity with 3.5G and WiFi hotspots also allow phones to fetch data from the Internet and overlay it onto virtual maps, creating useful mash-ups on the move.

Here’s a showcase of new applications for mobile phones that exemplify the advantages of location-based services.

WHRRL

whrrl.com

Whrrl is a location-based application that helps users find nearby retail establishments and places of interest using a phone with location-mapping features. What makes it useful is you can access reviews and recommendations associated with these places.

Say you have a date at your favourite Italian restaurant but realise it is fully booked when you arrive. You can scan your location using Whrrl for other restaurants and pick one nearby with the highest ratings from your friends or other users. Whrrl also provides contact details so you can call the restaurant to check if they have empty tables. Nifty, no?

Whrrl uses Google Maps and overlays coloured orbs on the map to show you where your friends have been or plan to go to and the ratings they have given. This is a cool way of sharing experiences so you know what to expect the next time you waltz into a restaurant.

Although the service is available only in the United States, you can access similar local mashups like the mobile version of HungryGoWhere (m.hungrygowhere.com) on your phone. The next version of the Singapore-based Digital Concierge 2Go mobile application that will be out next month will also help you pinpoint nearby restaurants and retail outlets.

ENKIN

enkin.com

We chanced upon Enkin when Google’s senior director of mobile platforms Andy Rubin dropped by the Singapore Google office last week and showed off applications on its upcoming Android platform.

Enkin allows you to search for a location ala Google Maps, but it also allows you to zoom in on your real-time location. It overlays data and graphics on the live video feed from your mobile, and labels and tracks the landmarks that appear on your screen, letting you know if you’re headed in the right direction. It’s like looking through a magical magnifying glass to find your way around.

Enkin does this by using a camera phone, GPS and an electronic compass (a rare but upcoming feature for mobiles), mashing up reality and maps. A novel way of navigating, it’s much easier than tracking a dot on a map.

Enkin is still in the early stages of development, but its take on navigation was enough to make us go “wow”. It’s so futuristic that we’ve seen its features only in concept videos of 4G mobile devices from Japanese telco NTT DoCoMo.

Words can’t describe how cool this application is; watch the video on its website to catch it in action.

LOOPT

loopt.com

Imagine if Facebook could map out where your friends are. That’s what Loopt’s mobile application does, engineering serendipity by keeping you in the loop so you don’t miss a chance to connect in real life.

So, the next time Jennie updates her status on Loopt and if she’s having a coffee at a cafe nearby, you will be able to see which café she’s at and ask her if she wants company.

Loopt provides the user with a “social compass” with detailed maps that show where your friends are and what they’re up to. You can send messages and photos, along with your location. It would be easier for them to share their experiences and for you to visit where they have been since it’s been conveniently mapped.

And for those with privacy concerns, the application allows you to cloak your location or choose to show it to a few select friends.

Even if your friends aren’t on Loopt, the service has a Facebook application that allows you to keep your contacts there updated on where you are and what you are up to as you update your location on your mobile phone.

Loopt is limited to the United States now, but you can expect more location-based services being mashed up with social networking such as brightkite (brightkite.com) and the Google-owned dodgeball (www.dodgeball.com).

Earlier this week, Nokia acquired a tech start-up called Plazes which helps you track your friends on a map.

And there’s local startup ShowNearby (sg.shownearby.com). Apart from providing you with driving directions, it plans to have a mobile application that replicates Loopt’s functions by the end of the year.

ShowNearby tells us that it will be using cell tower triangulation technology, which is less accurate than GPS, but which works indoors as well.