Geolocation… A lot of potential uses

Soumis par marie.bondoux le lun, 07/26/2010 - 14:08

Do you know what the Geolocation is? I’m sure that you have already heard some stories about this technology…

The aim of this article is to present a quick review of what is this technology and examples of its utilization. We dont pretend to start a debate about advantages or ethical problems of its possible utilizations, but for sure there will be some.

Geolocation permits to place an object or a person, on maps with coordinates obtained through a GPS system or triangulation during a communication.

There are three models of Geolocation:

  • Check-in the user have to locate himself with the Check-in button on an application.

  • Passive: the user don´t check-in. The location-based service is continuously updating the user's location.

  • Geo fence: the user chooses the areas where he wants to be located.

There are several services already using this technology as transportation, sports, tourism, events, social networks, etc… so just imagine the variety of forms it can be used!

One very original use of geolocation is Geocaching a treasure hunting game mixed with high-tech involving a very interactive way of play a video game. For sure children videogames have had several evolutions, but implementing geolocation features is by far the next level!
This treasure hunting is very fun! In this game you should locate hidden containers all over the world with your GPS. You can also use your iPhone and the complementary application Groundspeak's Geocaching to find the treasures. The app is available in English, Dutch, French, German and Japanese language versions.

But this is just the beginning on Geolocation, iSuppli predicts that 80% of mobiles that will be sold in the end of 2011 will have a GPS system… not only the Smartphones!

Moreover the iPhone 4’s gyro brings other possibilities! The localization is more exact, the indoor-location is possible and the passive Geolocalization too!

Latin3G works actually in a new utilization of the geolocation, I think you’ll be surprise but… you have to be patient…



Pictures: www.geocaching.com