LBS

$2.6M raised for ultraprecise GPS System

Swift Navigation has developed a GPS module that comes at a fraction of a cost of competing chips with the same accuracy. To do so, it’s raised $2.6 million in funding to get its low-cost GPS modules embedded into a whole bunch of new devices. And while highly accurate GPS chips are already available for up to $10,000, Swift Navigation makes and sells its chips for about $500. http://techcrunch.com/

TeleCommunication Systems adds 10 U.S. Patents

TeleCommunication Systems, Inc has announced that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) have issued TCS 10 U.S. patents during the second quarter of 2014. The 10 recently issued U.S. patents describe innovations in messaging, location-based services, GIS/mapping and wireless. They include the following three:

• TCS reported in the first quarter that it was issued a Prepaid Short Messaging Services patent. In the second quarter, TCS received notice that another prepaid patent was issued to the company that will serve as one of the cornerstone patents in a monetization program that TCS is planning to launch later this year.

• A geofence defines a virtual spatial boundary for creating triggers when a mobile device either enters or exits that boundary. The recently issued TCS patent covering a Method and System for Identifying and Defining Geofences (U.S. 8,731,813) describes techniques to simply and easily create geofences based on real-world objects or places.

• Thousands of portable computing platforms have emerged that have the capability of directly connecting to the Internet either through a wireless wide area network (e.g., cellular network or campus Wifinetwork) via a frontend built into the device (smartphone, etc.), or, via Bluetooth or other shortrange wireless communication, to a wireless proxy device such as a modem or a smartphone. The recently issued Remotely Provisioned Wireless Proxy patent (U.S. 8,712,408) describes techniques to create white lists (allowed URLs) and black lists (disallowed URLs) within a wireless/mobile device acting as a proxy so that access to certain sites can be controlled effectively. www.telecomsys.com

LBS market to reach $43.3Bn by 2019

According to Juniper Research forecasts that the Mobile Context and Location Services market will reach $43.3bn in revenue by 2019, rising from an estimated $12.2bn in 2014. The report highlighted that over two-thirds of revenues will be driven through highly targeted and contextually aware adsupported apps by the end of the forecast period. www.juniperresearch.com

GPS tracking devices to Break $3.5 Billion in 2019

Health, commercial/enterprise, wearables, and iBeacons will help to revive the GPS tracking device market, with ABI Research forecasting the market to reach over $3.5 billion in 2019. In its latest report, “Personal Location Device and Application Markets”, it considers adoption of GPS devices and smartphone applications across family, elderly/health, lone worker, pets, and personal assets. www.abiresearch.com

Spirent enhances location availability for VoLTE E911

Spirent Communications has announced major enhancements that will help improve location accuracy for E911 calls indoors. The additional test capabilities on Spirent’s 8100 Location Technology Solution (LTS) enable operators to deliver optimal location performance to support VoLTE E911 calling and to understand how LTE positioning technologies such as OTDOA can help meet the recently proposed FCC regulations for E911 indoors. LTE brings a promise of improved location accuracy with new positioning technologies and their integration using hybrid techniques.

HERE for Samsung

HERE has partnered with Samsung to bring its maps and location platform services to Tizen-powered smart devices by Samsung, including the newly-announced Samsung Gear S. HERE is powering an application called Navigator, which offers turn-by-turn walk navigation and public transit routing. http://360.here.com

3G/4G technologies to dominate cellular M2M communications

According to Berg Insight, the global cellular M2M market has entered a period of transition from 2G to 3G/4G technologies. The share of cellular M2M devices connected to HSPA/ LTE networks is projected to more than double from less than 20 percent at the end of 2014 to more than 50 percent by 2018. www.berginsight.com

Low power GNSS module by CSR, Maestro

Hong Kong based Maestro Wireless Solutions and CSR plc have announced the immediate availability of the A5100-A, a next-generation SiRFstarV™ GNSS positioning module that combines high performance GPS and GLONASS receiver technology in a small 10 x 15 mm package. The A5100-A is the first release within Maestro’s new line of GNSS receivers. www.maestro-wireless.com