GPS Navigation is quickly becoming a "standard" feature on phones, much like a camera or text messaging mainstream phones are using GPS and Assisted GPS standards to attract customers and to create the "all in one" experience. Since this is the Symbian Platform channel, we will be discussing how GPS Standards are being implemented on Symbian Devices, specifically how new Location Based Services will be operated within the Symbian V9.5 OS environment.
First its important we have a definition of what Location Based Services are, the Wikipedia definition seems straight forward so here it is "Location Based Services (LBS) are information and entertainment services accessible with mobile devices through the mobile network and utilizing the ability to make use of the geographical position of the mobile device."
So basically a Location Based Service is any means of interaction between a user and their mobile device based on information collected by the device in regards to their current location. This will become more important and make more sense as we continue discussing the new Symbian v9.5 LBS.
Lets start with the easiest of examples. Imagine you're on your way to meet a friend at a previously disclosed restaurant location, unfortunately the restaurant you were meeting at is fully booked, your friend realizing their favorite restaurant is only a few blocks away knows you're using the directions they sent you prior to meeting, at their favorite restaurant they access the WiFi hotspot which locks in their coordinates (without even using GPS signals), they then send you the new directions directly to your phone with a short text message explaining the change in venue. Once you receive the text you click on the new directions icon and your device automatically changes your GPS coordinates and plans your new route in real time.
This is great, now you're on your way to the restaurant and all of a sudden the highway you're travelling on experiences congestion from an accident a few miles ahead, the new LBS from Symbian v9.5 luckily offers realtime stats on driving congestion and therefore reroutes you to several side streets, which eventuall bring you to your location more quickly than if you had stayed on the recently congested highway.
Now you've arrived at your location but you have to park a block away due to the business dinner hour. After getting out of your car you begin to walk down the street, your GPS is still buzzing and now using Symbian Freeway technology to connect to the best available internet connection your map begins showing the buildings you are walking buy in a 3D format, making it easier for you to realize your in the right spot, when all of a sudden while passing THE GAP you receive a text message, its a coupon from the store for $10 off your purchase, you realize you are within 200 feet of the store and your bluetooth is in discoverable mode and the GAP was utilizing Location Based advertising to reel you in, no problem you catalogue the coupon or delete it and move on, deciding you don't want to deal with a hundred coupons in a business district you simply turn off your bluetooths discovery mode.
So you've finally arrived at the restaurant for dinner but you're waiting outside for several more people to arrive, luckily you see a concert hall next door and you want to find out what shows are playing in the next couple weeks, you simply raise your devices camera up to the building and after a quick scan your device not only tells you about the buildings history, style of design, and business hours, but also offers a button you can click to buy tickets to upcoming shows.
After what I can only assume is a wonderful dinner you begin to drive home, again another reminder pops up, this time it appears you set yourself a reminder that you needed to pick up a gallon of milk, your Symbian v9.5 Location Based Services has realized that a Walmart is only 1000 feet away (the distance you asked for a reminder) and that Walmart has the milk you need, possible even on sale with a coupon your device sends your way.
Realizing the night is still young you decide to skip the milk and see what your friends are up to, you pull up your friends/child finder option and again through Symbian Location Based Services you realize three of your friends are at your favorite nightclub while two other friends are at a coffee shop about 10 miles away, you decide to grab a cup of coffee so you click on their location and voila a new GPS Map pops up and your on your way for coffee, while again avoiding traffic.
So that's the basics for the Symbian V9.5 OS in terms of Location Based Services. In an already connected world it appears LBS is the next step towards expanding our reach towards complete information availability at our fingertips.
Update: Symbian based LBS is available on non V9.5 Operating Systems in the form of certain applications, however V9.5 will take the process much further by integrating system resources with new forms of recognition. After several emails I wanted to clarify that the LBS shown in this article is much more advanced than current offerings.