location services beyond maps, directions, and local search

Tags: Context,  Design,  Location (LBS),  Mobile applications,  Mobile web,  Product Ideas
October 9, 2008 by Barbara

You may have noticed we like writing and thinking about the use of context and mobile user experience. Here is a list of possible uses of location beyond local search and directions. Please add more in the comments!

Location to reduce data entry

Movie & other tickets
Weather
Traffic
Home finder
Parking/car finder

Location as substitute for some sort of NFC interaction

Mall 2.0
Order Starbucks
Graffiti wall

Enhanced serendipity

Beyond what I see – finding that store you never knew was there
Near me
LBS date/meet (category)
Push local advertising

Tracking and geofencing

Kid finder/fencer – must be within 3 blocks of home/school
Dog tracker/fencer
House arrest systems
Area-based access
Area- or route-based billing
Asset tracking

Just-in-time information

Business travel concierge
Road trip concierge
Traveling salesman problem/errand optimizer
When do I leave for the meeting
What’s for lunch further down the road and not behind me
Transit (e.g. bus arrival time)
Best taxi area
Airline tracking (when will plane land)
Building directory
Elevator arrival time

Tagging of locations

Police (speed trap) detector
Geocaching
Geotagging (of other content types)
Friend finder
Locative media
Locative games & learning
Contextual task list (e.g., OmniFocus)

Beyond location as context

Speed as context (change UI, change function …)
Altitude as context
Location-enhanced search (e.g. bookstore=context)
Asset locating as context (e.g. play video of DVD you picked up)
Weather as context

Public infrastructure & services

Better weather radio – where I am not whole county
Emergency services (beyond 911, e.g. OnStar)
Public safety/security services category (best route to the fire, find fire hydrant, geotag all tickets…)
Public works category (City GIS Db integration, find the manhole…)

Location as data stream

Life streaming
Video blogging


«« “U.S. taking the lead in mobile”, says Nokia CEO  |  Nuance continues its encroachment into mobile »»

5 Comments »

  1. More serendipity:
    Gift-giving based on the recipient’s current location and what they’re currently nearby.

    Comment by Alex Smith — October 9, 2008 @ 7:30 pm

  2. There is Sony Ericsson X1 competition for individual developers with showcasing, a chunk of cash and an X1 as the prizes.

    It is going live on the 14th of November but if you want the details earlier for you and your community, please let me know.

    Regards

    Sarah Isaacs

    p.s. There is more information at http://www.fasterfuture.blogspot.com/

    Comment by Sarah Issacs — October 29, 2008 @ 8:53 am

  3. These are pretty good. I think they should be refined further within the context of how each of them can generate a revenue stream. Are consumers ready to pay for a service that uses their current location? and if so what’s the model. Ideas are always a dime a dozen, building something that a customer is willing to pay for is priceless.

    Comment by Peter Cranstone — November 6, 2008 @ 7:50 am

  4. I was really stupefied by this helpful post of yours. Very informative!

    Comment by business mobile plans — January 5, 2009 @ 1:01 am

  5. Concierge services has become quite popular these days. Hotel employed concierge services
    attract many potential hotel guests and bring in good business. Corporate concierge services
    have gained popularity and are also demanded in the market.

    Comment by concierge services — January 11, 2009 @ 10:00 pm

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