LBS definitely happening in 2008

From The Island: Quoting the Economist, the idea will happen by

"linking the virtual communities [..] with the real world"

In a recent issue it talks about Bluetooth tagging, if you are 20 meters or closer you are it. Meanwhile, BBC reviews Social Networks.

In U.S. TeleNav launches a mobile app for Facebook. And TeleAtlas LBS Innovators divulge its finalists: JotYou, SmartAgent and Socialight.

Finally, if you didn't get it yet read again: users (will) make the content in the future of mapping.

Talking maps, the old brand Fugawi tries new waters with Fugawi Touratel, a Where-based Widget. Via InformationWeek.

Nokia also makes widgets available for its phones, but no LBS support yet.

And Farcast offers a free mobile blogging service which takes GPS coordinates of photos, text and videos. Via IntoMobile.

Year's End: GPS Navigation & Tracking

• Baby Jesus Statue gets its own GPS.
• GPS Implants for Athletes? Via Slashdot
• College in New Jersey mandates GPS for students.
• AT&T combines RFID and GPS for tracking kids in schools.

GPS Navigation

AAA Mobile available for 14-day test drive, $9.99 per month afterwards. For selected Verizon models from LG, Motorola and Samsung.

Meanwhile U.K. shows how too much of a good thing can take the fun out of it:

• Train smashes GPS-driven car
• City wants to be taken off GPS-based maps.
• And some opinion.

GPS Hardware from the Near Future

What is waiting for you in the future according to Wired.

CES 2008 coming up.

Dash Navigation GPS now available for pre-sale.

Apple decides that GPS are accessories and iPhone gets GPS module from TomTom and PartFoundry. Via GsmArena, Information Week

Meanwhile TDMA networks, D-AMPS the historic TDMA-based, an old analog standard will be gone in 2008. OnStar systems, home alarms, old analog based phones affected. Via SF Chronicle.

Sirf announced that it will provide infrastructure to Assisted-GPS phones for Android. Via GpsWorld.

Year's End: GPS Satellites & Chipsets

Closing 2007 competition or merely survival skills get enough cash to keep Galileo viable.

Even Putin will keep track of his dog with Glonass, the Russian-based GPS that now has 18 satellites up in space.

Another successful launch for the American GNSS with Ariane 5 putting in orbit two new GPS satellites.

GPS chipset makers get through a consolidation phase where:

• Ceva sells its GPS business;
• Atheros Buys u-Nav;
• NXP buys GloNav

In the Map Biz Microsoft acquired U.K based Multimap. Via ItWorld.