4Prox

Is LBS just too difficult to monetize?

Mark Lowenstein, FierceWireless, asked what's next for LBS?

Are we at a fork in the road? Is LBS “too difficult to monetize?” Has LBS been prematurely commoditized?  Are the incumbents too strong? These are valid questions... but perhaps we should prepare for a mini-big bang for mobile LBS applications? (The economy not withstanding) – An application developer’s perspective.

Up to 9 months ago the LBS ecosystem was barely capable of value add. The only financially validated solutions were premium GPS navigation, some family finder and asset tracking products. Free social networking and mapping solutions, financed by companies/VCs with deep pockets, were more focused on customer acquisition at any cost. Short term ROI was not important.

Since the Summer 2008, the app store and privacy guidelines have had the following impact:

1) The carrier gate keeper has been pushed aside to provide access to ever greater volumes of open OS handsets with free location coordinates.
2) The carrier deck has expanded to the device store front.
3) The carrier has been disintermediated from value chain releasing 30-50% of value.
4) The carriers are focused on the data plan sales and main stream premium LBS applications like navigation.
5) Applications are key differentiators in competitive smart phone market.

My view is we’re in a time lag between the old ecosystem and the new. I believe we will see a proliferation of new killer LBS mobile applications, many of them may be in development today or even in growth mode. We will see segmentation and new levels of innovation on main stream products and sizable new premium niches emerge. Proximity social networking is a huge opportunity ready for innovation. Developers should not be disheartened by Google's Latitude.

Traffic is one new segment. A recent poll, by my company, Proxpro, determined that over 76% of business travelers did not TRUST the travel times given by PND, mobile navigation or mobile mapping products. Clearly a customized, high quality, accurate, convenient traffic solution, delivered just-in-time, is desperately needed (“desperately” is a strong word but anyone running late for an important meeting or a plane knows how uncomfortable it is to be late). Check out award winning Prompt - the road warrior’s traffic early warning system by Proxpro at www.proxpro.com.

AGPS is a nice to have and certainly produces, in some circumstances, a better user experience but it’s not a game changer for me.

I shall be at CTIA if anyone would like to continue the discussion there.

About Julian Bourne:

Julian Bourne is CEO and Founder of Proxpro Inc., a company that provides advanced software solutions for the mobile workforce management and location-based services industries. He is the inventor of several award winning mobile solutions including a product called “Prompt” a “push” technology that optimizes navigation and traffic information based on a personal calendar and makes sure people are never late (patent pending). Prompt won the People's Choice Award, Enterprise Category, at SiRFecosystem’s Location 2.0 Summit (September, 2008), and was chosen by top LBS Industry Leaders, for its level of innovation and mass appeal. He is also an inventor of mobile social networking and won the NAVTEQ Global LBS Challenge (April 2006), best social networking application. He launched the world's first location-based (AGPS) mobile social networking application in the UK provisioned at events attended by 500,000 people (Oct 2004). He has been granted several mobile social networking patents including US #7,310,676, US #7,424,541 and patent pending 12/205,990. Prior to Proxpro, Julian was Global President of the Specialty Division of Morgan Crucible Company plc, manufacturing carbon, graphite and ceramic materials for high tech markets including semiconductor, solar, aero-space, industrial diamond, clean energy and lithium battery. He was accountable for plants in USA, Canada, S. Korea, Turkey, South Africa, Australia, India, Hungary, UK and Luxembourg. While traveling frequently for business, he recognized the need for mobile location-based technologies that help executives "connect-the-dots" in their busy lives. In August 2006, Julian received the 40-under-40 “Rising Stars” award in Boston Business Journal’s list honoring 40 Boston professionals under the age of forty.

Contact Julian: julianbourne "at sign" proxpro dot com

While PC-based Internet Wonders What Web 3.0 Means, Has Mobile Already Got There?

There is a discussion on InMobile.org, the exclusive social network for mobile industry leaders, on which companies will dominate Web 3.0 when it comes to mobile.  Here is my post:

The pc-based internet for too long has treated the mobile industry as the embarrassing half brother who under achieves and doesn’t really get it. 

However on the contrary, I would contend that Mobile 3.0 has arrived, while Web 3.0 is still trying to work out what “Web 3.0” means.  When a mobile application is aware of its environment, comprehends meaning and intelligently projects future eventualities and then conveniently “pushes” just-in-time information to help people make the right decisions to all intents and purposes it passes “3.0” test. 

Meanwhile mobile extensions to web 2.0 applications may struggle to ever get beyond a Mobile 2.0 user experience, especially if they rely on the browser.  The thin client is here to stay.       

 Communication applications will always be important.  Furthermore their propagation worldwide to create the next billion dollar mobile companies is a worthy ambition for a finite few.  However I propose there are possibilities to achieve $100 million businesses by focusing on Mobile 3.0 non-voice needs.

 Google has developed an operating system in multi-facetted strategy to control its destiny in a complex mobile world.  In order of importance BlackBerry, Android, Windows, Symbian, iPhone and Palm will sprout the next $100m mobile 3.0 businesses.  There will be plenty of iPhone mobile 2.0 successes and of course internet companies will do well on mobile too.  But in time the mobile step brother will be able to specialise and outshine his internet half brother.

 

Julian Bourne

CEO and Founder,
Proxpro Inc.
Winner of the People’s Choice Award (Enterprise) at SiRF’s Location 2.0 Summit (Sept 2008)

SiRF Location2.0 Summit Awards 2008 Finalist: Prompt by Proxpro Inc.

I was delighted and honored to hear this morning that Prompt by Proxpro Inc, has been nominated as one of three enterprise category finalists for SirF's Location 2.0 Summit on September 10, 2008 at the St. Regis Hotel, San Francisco, CA.

The judges are looking for the most cutting-edge location technologies and novel LBS products that positively enhance the consumers’ daily lives. Entries will be judged and evaluated on how well they achieve this goal and the following criteria:

• Level of innovation- Is the product/technology new and innovative?
• Features & benefits to the end-user – How will the product enhance the user’s experience or daily lives?
• Impact on the market — How will the product help drive the uptake of location services by consumers?
  

The judges will be

Kanwar Chadha, founder of SiRF Technology, responsible for the vision of the company and   Andrew Seybold, one of the most respected and influential champions of mobile wireless innovation.

About Proxpro.

Proxpro has spearheaded a new wave of pragmatic GPS software that helps people predict the future. The company won the coveted NAVTEQ Global LBS Challenge in 2006 with its mobile social networking technology US # 7,310,676 and patent allowed 11/198,126. In May 2008 Proxpro launched a revolutionary location-based mobile application, called Prompt, that fuses GPS to the calendar, compares people’s current location with the time and location of their next appointment, displays real-time traffic on route and tells them the best time to leave so users are never late. Proxpro is based in Weston, MA, just off the Route 128 corridor.

For further information contact julianbourne "at sign" proxpro.com

New iPhone Fitness App: RunKeeper shows a clean pair of heels!

A friend Jason Jacobs is about to release a new application for joggers / bicycle enthusiasts.  The product is called RunKeeper and it is designed for the new iPhone.  As you can see from the video the application uses GPS to track your process, speed, distance, changes in pace and then can be uploaded to a website.  The website archives you history and displays a bread-crumb representation of the route on a map.  Jogging to music and a permanent record of your fitness plan.  This is a must for serious athletes and joggers trying to loss some pounds.

Garmin dates a GyPSii

I was delighted to hear, via the WirelessDeveloperNetwork, that Garmin, a leading GPS navigation company is to partner with Gypsii, a provider of mobile social networking and user generated content.  This makes so much sense.  While mobile carriers and mobile device makers pursue laborious widget-based strategies, with clear demarcation between products, the GPS navigation companies move forward favoring innovation and user experience.

Proximity social networking and GPS navigation functionality are at last irreversibly combined.

 
Proxpro  (www.proxpro.com ) builds GPS software that is fused to PIM calendar and contacts.  In 2006 the company won the coveted NAVTEQ Global LBS Challenge best social networking application.   Proxpro  holds two mobile proximity (LBS) social networking patents.  Proxpro latest product  called "Prompt" reads your calendar, knows where you need to be, when, displays the fastest route and tells you exactly when to leave (patent pending).  Proxpro is based in Weston, MA.

GPS war mounts? New BlackBerry 9000 vs rumored New iPhone

Kevin Mickaluk at CrackBerry.com reviewed the yet to be released BlackBerry 9000 and revealed in the spec A-GPS on a GSM device.  Unless this was a typo, A-GPS is an upgrade from BlackBerry 8000 series devices that use plain GPS.

For those not familiar with the difference between GPS and A-GPS, here is definition from WikiPedia:

Conventional GPS then had difficulty providing reliable positions in poor signal conditions. For example when surrounded by tall buildings (as a result of multipath), or when the satellite signals are weakened by being indoors or under trees. Some newer receivers are far better.

In addition, when first turned on in these conditions, some non-A-GPS units may not be able to download the almanac and ephemeris information from the GPS satellites, rendering them unable to function until a clear signal can be received continuously for up to one minute.

As per a previous post on the rumored new iPhone with GPS chip , the iPhone has previously used a selection of GPS solutions: Google's "cell of origin"; Skyhooks wifi location.  It is not clear whether  the new  iphone retains the old solution, but I'd say it is likely the iPhone will retain SkyHook.

So which combination of GPS solutions is better? BlackBerry's A-GPS or iPhone's cell/Skyhook-GPS?  Can anyone help me?  Both solutions are good for developers.  It will mean faster more accurate user experiences.

The World's Best Application Downloads for the BlackBerry 8800 (AT&T)

Inspired by twoorthree.net here are my favorite application downloads for the BlackBerry 8800:

GPS Navigation:

Telenav: This navigation application is promoted by AT&T $9.99/ month subscription.  It sounded like downloading Telenav, and paying $9.99 was obligatory, if I was to have access the the GPS functionality on the device.  It's a pretty good navigation application, but search features are poor.

Advanced Traveler Information System:

Proxpro Prompt (beta), FREE for people who like to be at the right place at the right time, a product I designed and built, is the best traffic avoidance  technology available (patent pending).  If you never want to be late again, try Proxpro and be Prompt.

Click here for more information

Social Networking:

FaceBook: FREE For people who haven't got time or are not inclined to go the the FaceBook website, this enables you to update your status from your mobile and check up on what your friends are doing.  I think it is fun.

Google

Google: FREE
                       Search, News - Icons available for the BlackBerry home screen, this is very similar to the PC web experience
                        Maps - This the best local search experience available, but I'd love to re-design it.
                       Sync - Excellent product that does away with direct syncing to Outlook Calendar.  Google   Sync should partner with Proxpro Prompt.

Sports

IntelliGolf   : $59.99  A fantastic product for anyone as addicted to their golf as they are to their            BlackBerry.  Includes yardages, shot lengths, handicap calculator, accuracy statistics and much more.

Click here for review

The New iPhone will have a GPS Chip Apparently

According to Scott Moritz at Techland, the new 3G iphone, to be launched late June 2008, will have a GPS chip and provide location-based services.  This is substantiated by Guy Kewnney who says that the Apple iPhone emulator in the SDK hints at GPS functionality.   As GPS navigation is one of the most lucrative, fast growing (and valued), mobile services, the only surprise is that full GPS was not included in the first version.

Here is my guess at what location-based services the new iPhone will have:

1. GPS Navigation (without calendar integration for Proxpro Prompt "when to leave alerts")

2. A friend finder social networking element (It won't introduce you to like minded people yet)

3. Google Maps integrated to GPS (It won't allow you to personalize the map by reverse geo-locating favorite restaurant brands for instance)

4.   Several level 1 situation aware elements: weather, flight tracking and/or local events perhaps (Separate  widgets  with information that  needs to be "pulled", rather than using level 3 situation awareness to predict the information you need, when you need it)

Open Handset Alliance will bring cheap fully functional smart phones to the masses

The Open Handset Alliance will reshape the mobile industry and an analysis of the partners (and those conspicuous by their absence) tells us how:

 

New model for mobile operators (Sprint & T Mobile):

 

- Mobile internet subsidized by advertising

- Explosive innovation of high speed feature rich applications

 

New model for handset manufacturers (Samsung, Motorola, HTC, LG):

 

- Bill of materials subsidized by mobile internet ads, including GPS

- Cheap full functionality smart phones for the masses

 

New model for developers (SIRF, Intel):

 

- Feature rich SDKs, including GPS access

- Reduced influence of gatekeepers

- Effective ad-supported business models

Click here to visit Proxpro or enter http://wap.proxpro.com in your mobile browser.

Intelligolf for BlackBerry 8800 - Review

Are you as addicted to golf as your BlackBerry? 

The golf course is one of the few places Blackberry addicts can seek refuge from their email.  The device must be switched off lest an ill-timed  message from your boss crumple the perfect symmetry of your golf swing.  If you are as addicted to golf as to your CrackBerry there is no longer a safe haven.

This month Intelligolf, developers of "sports enhancing" software, announced the release  of  of its new IntelliGolf® golf scoring and GPS software for the RIM Blackberry®. The new IntelliGolf software will run on the Blackberry 7100-, 7700-, 8700-, 8800-series, Pearl, and Curve devices.

I shall be reviewing this product over the coming weeks, but here are my initial findings:

1. This is a fun product!
2. It is easy to download / side-load the software
3. It works first-time, integration with GPS straight forward
4. At $59.95 / year subscription it's cheaper than the SkyCaddie ($300-400 per device)
5. Scorecards cover my 3 local courses in MA
6. Accuracy of BB 8800 GPS is within 3 ft
7. Analysis of golf shot percentages is interesting: Statistics include fairways hit; greens in regulation; putts missed high /low; accuracy and distances of each of your clubs; such information is vital to improving your game.

What you should know about this product:

1. You need a GPS-enabled device (BB 8800), either internally or through a bluetooth GPS - receiver
2. The trial edition (Birdie) does not include GPS, you have to upgrade to Eagle edition
3. Although scorecard details for your home course are likely to be available, GPS coordinates may not be available
4. Learning how to survey a course from scratch may take 5 holes at least
5. Initially it is difficult, and slows play, to survey a course and mark a score simultaneously
6. Smart private clubs may raise eye-brows seeing mobile devices being used on the golf course

From my initial experiences, if you are as addicted to golf as your BlackBerry, I believe Intelligolf is a must-buy product!

If you've used Intelligolf on BB8800 let me know your thoughts.