LBS

GLONASS-enabled phone by March 2011

Russian company Sistema is likely to launch GLONASS-enabled phones in March, 2011. The company plans to make 500,000 GLONASS chips by then. In addition, the country is likely to introduce duties of around 25% by 2012 on the import of mobile phones without the GLONASS navigation system, as part of efforts to encourage worldwide adoption of the technology.
Reuters

China experiencing boom in LBS market

China’s location-based services (LBS) market boasted three to four million active users by the end of the third quarter this year, according to a report from Beijing-based market research firm Analysys International. According to industry analysts, China is already home of more than 30 LBS companies, many of which are growing at a decent clip.

Mobile GIS for renewable energy

TC Technology has announced a strategic partnership with The Hightower Energy Company to bring to market mobile information management solutions for the renewable energy sector. The first offering planned for 2011 is the Renewable Energy Extension to GO! Sync Mobile GIS.
www.tctechnology.com

HP Navigator on Spime’s Hybrid LBS platform

Powered by Spime’s Hybrid LBS platform and Navteq content, HP is the first multi-device original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to launch a competitive location based solution under its own brand – HP Navigator – for Netbook, Notebook and Tablets PCs.
www.spime.com
www.wsj.com

Wi-Fi will outstrip other location technologies

Wi-Fi location will outstrip all other location technologies including GPS, cellular and MEMs, with shipments reaching more than 1 billion by 2015, according to ABI Research’s new study, Alternative Positioning Technologies. www.ABIResearch.com