Tag: technology

3D Mapping & 3D Modeling Market worth $7.7 Billion by 2018
According to a new market research report “3D Mapping Market: Global Advancements, Business Models, Technology Roadmap, Forecasts and Analysis (2013 – 2018)“, the 3D mapping and 3D modeling market is expected to reach $7.7 billion by 2018 at a CAGR of 47.9% from 2013 to 2018.

According to the announcement, 3D mapping technology is one of the fastest and most complete ways to build 3D-environments in the market today. 3D mapping solutions enabled the user to swiftly build three-dimensional maps of the surroundings with supreme accuracy and clarity, ready to plug into professional visualization systems. With investments towering up for 3D maps applications to be introduced to smartphones, market players such as Nokia, Samsung and other smartphone companies have indicated string interest in this market. The 3D-enabling devices like sensors, cameras, scanners, GPS components, and other acquisition devices create huge potential in this market. The improvised 3D experience on smartphones, tablets, notebooks, PCs, cars, etc. is set to revolutionize the mobile device market and other GPS-enabled device market by broadening the horizons for the users to locate things easily using any device.

The report stated that the 3D mapping and 3D modeling total market is expected to grow from $1.1 billion in 2013 to $7.7 billion by 2018, at an estimated Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 47.9% from 2013 to 2018. North America, the first mover in the 3D mapping and modeling market, is expected to remain as the major market by 2018. Meanwhile, we also observe the Asia Pacific (APAC) and Middle East and Africa (MEA) regions to grow at a significant rate, mainly driven by opportunities in countries such as China and India. In 2013, Europe is expected to account for about 33.1% of the global market, and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 43.2% from 2013 to 2018. APAC is estimated to be a $1.6 billion market by 2018; at a CAGR of 66.38% 2013 to 2018. The market players include Tier 1 companies such as Google, Apple, Amazon, Saab and Hover.

The report provides an in-depth analysis of the various industry verticals such as healthcare, automotive, transport and logistics, aviation and space, building and construction, defense and public safety, retail, others. It also analyzes the emerging trends in the 3D mapping and 3D modeling market across geographies.

The past decade witnessed a giant leap in various industries, with 3D technology being implemented in various electronic devices and other objects. The need for 3D mapping arose after an attempt to make 2D maps more advanced and look more real. This was done by introducing sensors, cameras, scanners, GPS components, and other acquisition devices to capture the real time 3D images which are created into models incorporated into maps. This type of technology is often used in modern computer programs to provide a lifelike view of a place or thing on a map.

Portable GPS devices use 3D mapping technology to provide automated directions. These devices have small screens that display a three-dimensional view of roads and maps. This is a good tool for people who travel or go for hiking to unfamiliar areas because the device uses satellites to pinpoint its exact location. Building schematics are blueprints used for the construction of houses. 3D mapping technology is often used to create construction schematics. This tool makes it easy to draw a three-dimensional version of a house plan. These plans are typically used to get building permits and construction material before any building starts.

The improvised 3D experience in smartphones, tablets, notebooks, PCs, cars, etc. is set to revolutionize the mobile device market and other GPS-enabled device market by broadening the horizons for the users to locate things easily using any device. This report looks at the various applications of 3D modeling and mapping applied in various business verticals. It analyzes the challenges and opportunities for 3D mapping and modeling as well as its impact in the marketplace. The report also gives insights into the global adoption trends, key market players, future scope, drivers, and restraints in the market, along with growth potential across different geographies. It also analyzes various factors that will drive and restrain the market over the next 5 years.

Scope of the Report

This report segments the 3D modeling and mapping market by applications, business verticals, 3D-enabled devices, 3D-enabling devices, and geographies. The market forecasts in terms of revenues for all the segments and unit shipment forecasts are provided for the 3D-enabled device segment.

On the basis of applications:

The market by application type in 3D mapping is classified into 3 segments:
- 3D projection mapping,
- Mapping and Navigation
- Other applications (3D mobile mapping, 3D laser mapping, 3D texture mapping, 3D video mapping, etc.)
On the basis of Business verticals:

The 3D modeling and 3D mapping market by verticals is classified on the basis of 7 segments:
- Healthcare
- Automotive, Transport and Logistics (ATL)
- Aviation and Space
- Building and Construction
- Defense and Public safety
- Retail
- Others
On the basis of 3D devices market:

The 3D Modeling market by 3D-enabled device unit shipments is classified on the basis of 4 segments:
- 3D-enabled smartphones
- 3D-enabled tablets
- 3D-enabled notebooks
- Other 3D-enabled devices
We have analyzed other 3D devices (3D sensors, 3D cameras, 3D displays, GPS components) in terms of market attractiveness.

On the basis of geographies:

The report segments the market geographically into
- North America
- Latin America
- Europe
- Middle East & Africa (MEA)
- Asia Pacific (APAC)
Each section provides market data, market dynamics (drivers, restraints, trends and opportunities), key players, and competitive outlook. This report provides 100+ market tables covering all sub-segments and micro-markets. In addition, the report provides 20 company profiles representing various sub-segments.
March 14, 2013
eSpatial Launches Free Edition of Mapping Software

eSpatial announced the launch of a free edition of their flagship mapping software, also called eSpatial.

According to the announcement, eSpatial mapping software lets users convert spreadsheet data into map form. This visualization provides immediate insights into market trends and challenges.

The new free edition of eSpatial is available to anyone who signs up for an account at www.espatial.com. Once logged on, users can create maps from their existing data and then post them on websites as interactive maps.

Paid editions (including Basic, Pro and Team) of the application with greater functionality – including the ability to handle increased amounts of data, reporting and sharing options – start at $399 for an annual subscription.

Launching the free edition of eSpatial, company CEO Philip O’Doherty said he hoped this availability of the product would increase awareness of the potential impact of sales mapping software.

“I think this is a bold move and one that shows us to be an innovator in the mapping market,” he said. “We hope the free edition of our already-successful product will encourage businesses and organizations to think differently about their data and how they can use it to achieve new or continued success.”

March 12, 2013
Esri User Conference to Highlight More than 700 Maps
Map Gallery submissions for the 2013 Esri International User Conference, July 8–12, in San Diego, California, are now open. At last year’s event, Esri featured more than 700 maps from users around the world and across virtually every industry. All submitted maps are considered for one of several cartographic awards and are screened for possible publication in an upcoming edition of the Esri Map Book. Last year’s winners included:
- Jesse Nett of the USDA Forest Service (Best Overall Winner)
- Jeannett Phillips of the Chickasaw Nation (UC People’s Choice Award Winner)
- David Frank of the City of Santa Clarita (Most Unique)
Map Gallery submissions close on May 31.
February 12, 2013
Leica Geosystems Begins E-Commerce Sales

Leica Geosystems Inc. announced the launch of the e-commerce site for Leica Geosystems Solutions Centers. The grand opening of the Leica Geosystems Solutions Center is marked by an unprecedented online-only promotion.

Logo: Leica Geosystems

Providing 24/7 personalized access to the products essential to the surveying, engineering, and construction industries, the site is a resource for more than purchases. It also enables customers to compare thousands of products based on features, shipping options and availability, and to create wish lists.
The Leica Geosystems Solutions Centers e-commerce site offers a range of supplies, accessories and rentals, from paint and flagging, safety supplies, total stations and GPS systems for surveying, construction lasers and building layout systems. Relevant products and pricing are presented based on each customer’s unique profile, and subscription and quick-order capabilities make it easy to reorder frequently needed products.
“We are committed to continually delivering value to our customers, and it is exciting to respond to customer needs by bringing this e-commerce site to the market,” said Mike Strom, General Manager, Solutions Centers for Leica Geosystems. “Our customers are busy, and they often need to place orders outside of standard business hours. Our new e-commerce website provides customers a more convenient way to buy from us, and we will be offering online-only promotions on a regular basis – similar to the tremendous grand opening deals – so it’s easier than ever for customers to begin reaping the benefits of Leica Geosystems solutions.”
The Leica Geosystems Solutions Center is factory-owned and operated, which guarantees that customers will receive the quality products and service expected from Leica Geosystems. Additionally, because support is critical at every step of the way, even during the purchase process, the site features multiple avenues to online support: customers get real answers, from real factory-trained experts.

December 10, 2012
Leica Geosystems Begins E-Commerce Sales

Leica Geosystems Inc. announced the launch of the e-commerce site for Leica Geosystems Solutions Centers. The grand opening of the Leica Geosystems Solutions Center is marked by an unprecedented online-only promotion.

Logo: Leica Geosystems

Providing 24/7 personalized access to the products essential to the surveying, engineering, and construction industries, the site is a resource for more than purchases. It also enables customers to compare thousands of products based on features, shipping options and availability, and to create wish lists.
The Leica Geosystems Solutions Centers e-commerce site offers a range of supplies, accessories and rentals, from paint and flagging, safety supplies, total stations and GPS systems for surveying, construction lasers and building layout systems. Relevant products and pricing are presented based on each customer’s unique profile, and subscription and quick-order capabilities make it easy to reorder frequently needed products.
“We are committed to continually delivering value to our customers, and it is exciting to respond to customer needs by bringing this e-commerce site to the market,” said Mike Strom, General Manager, Solutions Centers for Leica Geosystems. “Our customers are busy, and they often need to place orders outside of standard business hours. Our new e-commerce website provides customers a more convenient way to buy from us, and we will be offering online-only promotions on a regular basis – similar to the tremendous grand opening deals – so it’s easier than ever for customers to begin reaping the benefits of Leica Geosystems solutions.”
The Leica Geosystems Solutions Center is factory-owned and operated, which guarantees that customers will receive the quality products and service expected from Leica Geosystems. Additionally, because support is critical at every step of the way, even during the purchase process, the site features multiple avenues to online support: customers get real answers, from real factory-trained experts.

December 10, 2012
$3.7 Billion Reasons Why GIS Technology is The Future

Editor’s note: Although GIS adoption is certainly on the rise, it hasn’t reached critical mass for widespread adoption so I think 2012 is too early to be seen as the Year of GIS. When it does, it will be fueled by widespread location apps in smartphones and adoption of mainstream office apps like Maps for Office.

When technology historians look back on 2012, they might look at this as the GIS year says Dr. Stephen McElroy, GIS program chair at American Sentinel University.

“2012 is the year of GIS,” says Dr. Stephen McElroy, GIS program chair at American Sentinel University. “The desire to know where everything is located fuels the current trend in location-based services. As GIS is more accessible and consumable on the Web through a variety of mobile devices, the average person is becoming increasingly impacted by the power of GIS. Soon it will become a pervasive technology that is consumed by a wider audience than ever before.”

The proof is in a new report from Pike Research. Findings indicate that spending on GIS services, software and tools will increase steadily over the next five years, reaching $3.7 billion in 2017.

This industry momentum toward GIS is what led to K-12 schools in North Carolina to sign a statewide license for unlimited classroom use of Esri’s ArcGIS software.

According to Dr. McElroy, K-12 educators are increasingly aware that geospatial competencies must now be included among the core proficiencies of reading, writing and arithmetic. He points out that some schools are undertaking initiatives to incorporate geospatial competencies across the curriculum by adding geospatial exercises and experiences into the standard curriculum. The concept of GIS across the curriculum is a trend that is just now beginning to blossom and illustrates the long-term presence of geospatial thinking at the national, state and local levels.

To demonstrate just how important GIS is to the U.S. government, Esri, the world’s leading provider of GIS software recently released a new book, ‘Mapping the Nation: Government and Technology Making a Difference.’ It includes more than 100 full-color maps produced by 40 government agencies, showing how GIS technology can be used to evaluate and respond to social, economic and environmental concerns at local, regional, national and global levels.

“Geography is a common denominator in everything the federal government supports,” says Christopher Thomas, director, government markets – federal, state, local at Esri. “The maps in this book attest to the limitless power of geography and GIS technology. They show how government agencies rely on GIS analysis to facilitate initiatives, improve transparency and deliver strong business models.”

Add this momentum to the fact that new products are released nearly every week, including CHC’s new LT30 series GPS/GIS handheld collector. The LT30 GPS/GIS is a multi-functional solution that includes built-in GPRS phone and data transmission, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, a 3.2 megapixel camera with autofocus and a versatile RS232 interface to connect to legacy devices.

Smart Grids Lead the Charge

Leading the charge for this GIS enthusiasm is the smart grid.

According to the Pike report, spatial data underlies everything an electric utility does. An intelligent power grid requires deep situational awareness of power generation, transmission, distribution and customer assets in order to optimize performance and to meet reliability commitments.

Land-based and street-level data, ownership/real estate, vegetation, network topology, GPS location data, census data, and many other forms of geospatial information are critical to the successful performance of the smart grid.

GIS is a foundational technology linking every activity of an electric utility – including design and construction, asset management, workforce management, outage management, and increasingly, real-time grid operations.

“The smart grid has energized electric utilities to think creatively about how to improve the delivery of electrical power and the business and workflow processes that enable it,” says Pike Research vice president Bob Gohn. “As the deployment of intelligent field equipment, particularly advanced metering infrastructure, has surged, the applications leveraging this infrastructure are increasingly dependent on GIS-based data for critical real-time performance.”

Public and private utility providers will need a comprehensive GIS that they can utilize to make key decisions about system-critical issues such as customer database management, streamlined meter reading and blending of renewable (solar, wind, hydro and geothermal) and non-renewable energy resources from coal and nuclear facilities.

“These industries are looking for people who understand GIS technology, making it an excellent time to make yourself more marketable and consider an online bachelor’s or master’s degree in GIS technology,” says Dr. McElroy.

The market for GIS professionals at all skill levels has never been better.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that the job outlook (2010-2020) for geographers is growing by 35 percent (much faster than average). For Cartographers and photogrammetrists, the outlook is 22 percent growth (faster than average). For surveying and mapping technicians, the outlook is 16 percent and all of these occupations are expected to grow by 14 percent.

August 29, 2012
Open Source GIS
Some years ago, I predicted that the price of GIS data-collection hardware would eventually decline to the point that software would be the most expensive part of a GIS data-collection system. Well, I’m beginning to rethink that statement. Here’s why.

There’s a solid push towards the open source concept in GIS. Since 2006, there’s been an annual conference called FOSS4G (Free and Open Source Software for Geospatial) hosted by OSGeo, the Open Source Geospatial Foundation. According to the OSGeo website,

The Open Source Geospatial Foundation, or OSGeo, is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to support the collaborative development of open source geospatial software, and promote its widespread use. The foundation provides financial, organizational and legal support to the broader open source geospatial community. It also serves as an independent legal entity to which community members can contribute code, funding and other resources, secure in the knowledge that their contributions will be maintained for public benefit. OSGeo also serves as an outreach and advocacy organization for the open source geospatial community, and provides a common forum and shared infrastructure for improving cross-project collaboration.

The foundation’s projects are all freely available and useable under an OSI-certified open source license.

The OSGeo Mission Statement:

To support the collaborative development of open source geospatial software, and promote its widespread use.

OSGeo Goals:

The following more detailed goals support the overall mission:
- To provide resources for foundation projects — e.g., infrastructure, funding, legal.
- To promote freely available geodata — free software is useless without data.
- To promote the use of open source software in the geospatial industry (not just foundation software) — e.g., PR, training, outreach.
- To encourage the implementation of open standards and standards-based interoperability in foundation projects.
- To ensure a high degree of quality in foundation projects in order to build and preserve the foundation “brand”.
- To make foundation and related software more accessible to end users — e.g., binary “stack” builds, cross package documentation.
- To provide support for the use of OSGeo software in education via curriculum development, outreach, and support.
- To encourage communication and cooperation between OSGeo communities on different language (eg. Java/C/Python) and operating system (eg. Win32, Unix, MacOS) platforms.
- To support use and contribution to foundation projects from the worldwide community through internationalization of software and community outreach.
- To operate an annual OSGeo Conference, possibly in cooperation with related efforts (e.g., EOGEO).
- To award the Sol Katz award for service to the OSGeo community.
Clearly, from the mission statement and goals, this effort is all about the geospatial user community, and you should stay tuned into this effort.

Some of the current OSGeo projects include desktop GIS applications like gvSIG, Quantum GIS, and GRASS GIS.

gvSIG Desktop App.

There is also a gvSIG Mobile app I mentioned in last week’s Geospatial Solutions Weekly column. It was developed using Java and runs on the Windows Mobile platform. With both gvSIG desktop and mobile, you can have an entire GIS data collection and desktop software suite free of charge. Of course, free comes with a price. There’s no accountability, no priority tech support, no one to call when you can’t figure out why things aren’t working, etc. You’re on your own, sort of. There’s an online community of users who interact and support each other. Also, like open source operating system LINUX, there are companies that will provide commercial support for open source GIS apps.

gvSIG originated in Spain, and although it is available in more than 20 languages, it hasn’t gained much momentum in the U.S. yet. I think it’s an important enough subject that I’ve added it as a session topic to the Field Technology Conference this September. We will have at least one technical presentation on the subject and I will address open source GIS in my keynote presentation. If we’re lucky, we’ll also have a hands-on open source GIS area so conference attendees can see open source GIS apps being used in action.

If you recall two weeks ago in my Geospatial Solutions Weekly article, I presented the United Nations Five to Ten Year Vision on Geospatial Information Management. Some of the key geospatial trends the U.N. identified related to open source are:
- Free and open source software will continue to grow as viable alternatives both in terms of software, and potentially in analysis and processing.
- Free and open access to data will become the norm and geospatial information will increasingly be seen as an essential public good.
- Within five years the level of detail on transport systems within OpenStreetMap will exceed virtually all other data sources and will be respected and used by major organisations and governments across the globe.
- National Mapping Agencies are likely to find it difficult to justify the costs of traditional data maintenance mechanisms as their products are used in increasingly niche areas.
- Crowdsourced content will decrease cost, improve accuracy and increase availability of rich geospatial information.
- There will be increased combining of imagery with crowdsourced data to create datasets that could not have been created affordably on their own.
- Crowdsourced data will push National Mapping Agencies towards niche markets.
- Progress will be made on bridging the gap between authoritative data and crowdsourced data, moving towards true collaboration.
- Crowdsourced sensoring will emerge.
- There is unlikely to be a market for datasets like those currently sold to power navigation and location-based services solutions in 5 years, as they will have been superseded by crowdsourced datasets from OpenStreetMaps or other comparable initiatives.
It’s going to be very interesting to watch how quickly open source GIS apps and data (e.g., OpenStreetMap) are adopted. Part of the challenge is market awareness of open source GIS apps and data. Being open source (free), there aren’t big (or any) marketing budgets to promote the open source GIS concepts and products. Another challenge is if one chooses to implement open source GIS apps, there’s limited amount of technical support available to implement and maintain the apps unless there’s a reasonable level of commercial technical support available. However, as the adoption of open source GIS increases, it’s reasonable to assume the quality and quantity of user community technical support will grow.

If any of my readers use open source GIS apps and would like to share, I’d love to hear about your experiences. Click here to send me a quick email.

Thanks, and see you next week.

Follow me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/GPSGIS_Eric
May 18, 2012
Thoughts on Mobile Devices, UAVs, and Cheap Data-Collection Software
On the coattails of last week’s Geospatial Solutions newsletter outlining the United Nations’ five- to ten-year vision on geospatial information management, and my column on the mobile device operating system war, here are some more thoughts on those subjects.

As the cost of GIS data collection devices (handheld, tablet) has plummeted in the past two years and smartphones have proliferated, the quest for inexpensive GIS data-collection software has intensified. It makes sense. When people were used to paying thousands of dollars for a GIS data-collection device, another US$800-$1,000 for GIS data collection software seemed reasonable. It might have added 15-25% to the total price of the system. With today’s inexpensive devices, sometimes data collection software ends up costing more than the device itself, thus pushing the demand for cheaper software. On top of that, as I discussed a couple of weeks ago, we are in the middle of a mobile device operating system war. Whereas it used to be a no-brainer that Windows Mobile (or some derivative of it) was going to be the dominant operating system and supported by software developers, that’s not the case any longer. Windows Embedded is going to be around, but it’s clearly not the dominant mobile device operating system it once was.

Interestingly enough, GIS data collection software for iOS and Andoird have followed the iOS and Android price trends. The mobile devices running iOS and Android are inexpensive, sometimes free. You don’t see any iOS or Android GIS data collection software packages costing thousands of dollars. On the other hand, many Windows Mobile-based geospatial softwares cost upwards of US$2,000. Of course, you can make the argument that the Windows Mobile-based softwares are mature and feature rich. That’s true, as most of the iOS and Android-based softwares have a fraction of the capability, but I’d venture to say that most users don’t need many of the features they are paying for. I also agree with one of the trends outlined in the UN document in that I think open source might be where things are headed.
- Free and open source software will continue to grow as viable alternatives both in terms of software, and potentially in analysis and processing.
Ironically, open source GIS data collection software has been around for years. However, you probably don’t know about it because no organization is actively marketing it (if there’s no revenue, there’s no marketing budget). Software like gvSIG Mobile is a reasonably powerful GIS data collection product. A little quirky? Perhaps. But, if your budget is depleted and your requirements exceed the capabilities of the typical free or inexpensive software in the iTunes or Google Market, you might tolerate the quirkiness.

gvSIG Mobile Open Source GIS Data Collection Software.

The UN also predicts that geospatial data will trend toward open source.
- Within five years the level of detail on transport systems within OpenStreetMap will exceed virtually all other data sources and will be respected and used by major organizations and governments across the globe.
- Community-based mapping will continue to grow.
- There is unlikely to be a market for datasets like those currently sold to power navigation and location-based services solutions in five years, as they will have been superseded by crowdsourced datasets from OpenStreetMaps or other comparable initiatives.|
While I agree that the trend towards open source data is gaining traction, five years is a really aggressive timeline for phasing out the likes of TeleAtlas (owned by TomTom) and Navteq (owned by Nokia). These are the two major map database suppliers for virtually all GPS navigation devices used in vehicles around the world. I think there will be, for the forseeable future, a quanitifiable and valued difference between open source data and commercial geospatial data. Commercial users will pay for perceived quality and accountability, especially if the price differential is minimal. Consumer GPS users (vehicle navigation) might be a different story. A $30 difference in retail price can sway a consumer from one brand to another.

More on UAVs for Mapping

One of the first trends in the UN listed are:
- There will be an increased demand for applications to be used with high-resolution imagery.
- The use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) as a tool for rapid geospatial data collection will increase.
Trimble’s acquisition of Gatewing just last month supports this trend as well as the Obama administration’s accelerating the use of civilian UAVs back in February of this year via the National Defense Authorization Act of 2012.

Cost-effective mapping UAVs are starting to emerge. In just this past week, Event 38 announced a small mapping UAV for under US$1,000.

Low-cost E382 Mapping UAV from Event 38.

Augmented Reality
As does the UN vision, I think augmented reality has a bright future for both commercial users and consumers.
- Augmented reality applications will be pervasive, with the ability to view a whole range of data overlays on top of the real world.
For professional geospatial users, the situational awareness possibilities are tremendous. Imagine the backhoe operator being able to “see” the underground infrastructure in order to avoid it. Imagine the park superintendent being able to “see” all of the underground irrigation and drainage lines by simply positioning a tablet computer towards the area of interest.

Thanks, and see you next week.

Follow me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/GPSGIS_Eric
May 8, 2012

Mobile Device Operating System Wars: Android vs. iOS vs. Windows Mobile

Following up on my” Mobile Devices Galore” column a couple of weeks ago, one predominant question I hear reverberating across all industries with geospatial apps on mobile devices is “what is the mobile device operating system of the future?”

After years of relatively benign evolution, the mobile device market (smart phone, tablet, handheld) is changing really quickly, and it’s really making geospatial users think hard about which device and operating system to deploy.

I think it’s safe to say that if there were enough apps available for the Android platform, Android would clearly be the geospatial operating system of choice. There are a myriad of smart phones and cheap tablet computers running Android that consumers are eating up and geospatial users are salivating over. Unlike Apple with their iOS, Google will license Android to almost anyone so hardware manufacturers like Samsung are flocking to Android. One would think this might be déjà vu for Apple a la Microsoft Windows.

However, the fact is that there’s not much in the way of geospatial apps for Android, yet.

Almost all geospatial apps in existence today are built for Windows Mobile, but most people I’ve spoken to aren’t convinced that Microsoft is committed to Windows Mobile. The follow on to Windows Mobile 6.5 called Windows Embedded Handheld. You might think that Windows Phone 7 is the follow-on to Windows Mobile 6.5, but the problem is that apps have to be re-written for Windows Phone 7 while the software development environment for Windows Embedded Handheld is the same/similar as/to Windows Mobile 6.5. Following is a video explaining Microsoft’s mobile device strategy for Windows:

Dual Boot?

We have a problem. We need mobile devices to support Windows Mobile, for now, due to the wide number of apps available for that operating system. However, we aren’t sure of Microsoft’s committment to Windows Mobile in the future and it seems Android has a tremendous amount of momentum, How many IT people have you seen with dual boot Windows/Linux? It makes me think about a dual boot mobile device…Windows Mobile and Android. But, that could get ugly pretty quickly since average consumer is not going to be interested in this. Without the benefit of consumer acceptance of what we use for a mobile device, we are back to where we started, stuck with a few niche suppliers that produce high-priced mobile devices specifically for the geospatial industries.

I can dream about dual boot, but I doubt it will happen.

Which Mobile Device Operating systems will survive and flourish?

Earlier this month, technology research firm Gartner, Inc. issued a report detailing the results of their research on tablet computer operating systems. While it’s not completely indicative of smart phone and handheld operating systems, I think it’s a very good indicator of where things are headed.

Following is a table summarizing the results of their research by operating system.

Worldwide Sales of Media Tablets to End Users by OS (Thousands of Units):

OS	2011	2012	2013	2016
iOS	39,998	72,988	99,553	169,652
Android	17,292	37,878	61,684	137,657
Microsoft	0	4,863	14,547	43,648
QNX (RIM)	807	2,643	6,036	17,836
Other OS	1,919	510	637	464
Total	60,017	118,883	182,457	369,258

If you’d like to read a detailed article about their results and report, click here.

Is Apple’s iOS really going to continue to dominate?

I wish I would have bought Apple stock a few years ago. Apple is a serious cash machine, earning more profit than even ExxonMobile, thus becoming the most profitable company in the world.

However, with their closed system, it smacks of the Mac vs. Windows battle of 20+ years ago of which Apple clearly lost. Can a closed operating system like iOS maintain its dominance? I doubt it, I really doubt it. Apple has been on a great run, but even from the table above, one can clearly see that Android is projected to grow faster.

While I’m reasonably sure iOS isn’t going to be a long-term dominator, I’m not so sure about Android vs. Windows Embedded. As we saw with Microsoft’s Internet Explorer going from zero to hero in a short period of time, Microsoft has the ability to focus a tremendous amount of resources to tackle a market if they choose. They could do it with Windows Embedded, if they choose.

Thanks, and see you next week.

Follow me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/GPSGIS_Eric

April 27, 2012

Mobile Devices Galore

Few, if any, technology products reach a worldwide audience hotter than mobile devices. I’m talking about smartphones, tablets, handhelds, and even notebooks to some extent. When’s the last time you bought a desktop computer?

As I mentioned in my March 23 Geospatial Solutions column, at the GIS in Action conference I asked a Google presenter if he thought the mobile phone is going to be the primary mobile device people will carry. He said, “No, it’s going to be the tablet computer.”

The competition certainly seems to be between the smartphone and the tablet, or maybe a hybrid version of the two. From a geospatial user perspective, we’ve been showered these past few months with tablet device offerings.

1. Kindle Fire. The most significant tablet computer introduced since the iPad two years ago. Its low price has opened up the tablet market to a new level of adopters. Kindle Fire is the poster child for the many, many Android-based tablets on the market from Sony, Samsung, Motorola, LG, ASUS, etc.

Salient features: Wi-Fi, Android operating system, web browsing, less than US$200. It’s all about the low price.

Oops: Doesn’t run the latest Google Android operating system.

Geospatial apps: ArcGIS for Kindle Fire

Adoption: 5+ million sold since its introduction last fall.

2. Apple iPa d. This product started the new revolution in tablet computing. Apple’s proprietary style may hurt it as competition from Google Android devices heats up.

Salient Features: The defacto standard for tablet computing. Apps, apps, apps, and more apps. Shares the same operating system as the iPhone and iTouch.

Oops: One trick pony. There is only one iPad. Google will license Android to almost anyone. Closed Bluetooth so you can’t interface to external instruments (GPS, laser rangefinders, etc.).

Geospatial apps: ArcGIS for iOS, iCMTGIS, iGIS, GeoJot, GISPro

Adoption: 75+ million sold since its introduction two years ago. The latest iPad sold 3 million units in the first three days it was available.

3. Windows-based tablets. Acer Iconia Tab Series, Samsung Series 7. Windows-based tablet computers at near iPad prices.

Salient Features: Microsoft Windows 7 operating system. GIS software compatibility.

Oops: Battery life, expensive.

Geospatial apps: Take your pick. Virtually any GIS app designed for Windows XP/7 will run on these tablets.

Adoption: Weak. Although Microsoft has been promoting tablet computers for 10+ years, they are getting beat up in the tablet market, at least with the general public. The Windows operating system still has a lot of value with professional users due to software/workflow compatibility. Be on the lookout for Windows 8 and Microsoft Office apps (optimized for low power, etc.) as Microsoft tries to leverage the power of Windows and match the appeal of the Ipad.

Look for more coverage on smartphones and handhelds soon.

Thanks, and see you next week.

Follow me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/GPSGIS_Eric

April 13, 2012
The Geospatial Promised Land: Indoor Positioning
At the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain a few weeks ago, a company called Loctronix introduced meter-level indoor positioning technology. “In 50 meters, turn left to find Macy’s Department store” is not very far in our future. This technology and others one step closer to making accurate indoor navigation possible so you can navigate from store-to-store inside a shopping mall or even navigate to particular items within a particular store.

It’s all about sensor fusion. CSR’s SiRFstar V/SiRFusion technology uses data from all available satellite navigation systems from the U.S., Europe, Russia, China and Japan, as well as WiFi, cellular systems, accelerometers, gyros, and compasses. Loctronix calls their technology Doppler Aided Inertial Navigation (DAIN) and Spectral Compression Positioning (SCP) which allows them to obtain one meter positioning outdoors, indoors, and even underground without relying on external servers with the following features:
- Client-based, sensor fusion software platform producing real-time position, speed, direction of motion, and heading information.
- Optional integrated GPS/GNSS signal and navigation processing – using Loctronix’ SCP hybrid technology.
- Fully integrated map-matching functionality with support for third-party map data.
- Optional WiFi RSSI location and access point profiling.
- Third-party LBS API support.
- Multiple implementation options supporting existing smartphones and next-generation wireless devices.
Think about what would happen if indoor positioning is actually implemented per the above, able to deliver one meter accuracy. Less than ten years ago, the automobile Personal Navigation Device (PND) market was in its infancy. GPS positioning was clearly able to deliver the accuracy required for point-to-point street navigation. What makes the PND valuable is the outdoor map database. These are the highly detailed digital maps from Navteq/Nokia and TeleAtlas/TomTom that are inside 90% of the PNDs in the world. Drawing from this experience, it’s obvious that indoor mapping databases are going to be huge, not only the location of stores, but the location of items on the shelves within stores. A friend of mine works for a large national retail chain in the U.S. He said they’ve tried aisle-to-aisle navigation technology before, and it failed. It was too difficult for the shopper to use. What that tells me is that the demand is there, in a big way.

The PND market in the 1990s was messing around too, trying to arrive at a technology and price point for mass adoption. Indoor navigation is on the same path, only this time it won’t be Navteq/Nokia and TeleAtlas/TomTom leading the pack.

Thanks, and see you next week.

Follow me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/GPSGIS_Eric
March 30, 2012
A $45 Tablet Computer?

At the GIS In Action 2012 conference last week, I asked a Google presenter if he thought the mobile phone is going to be the primary mobile device people will carry. He said, “No, it’s going to be the tablet computer.”

Certainly the Apple iPad, since its introduction in April 2010, has sparked the tablet computer business. Google’s Android operating system has done its share of stimulating the tablet business, and just in the last few months, the fantastic success of the Kindle Fire (based on the Android operating system) has given Apple something to think about. I bought my wife a Kindle Fire for Christmas a few months ago. For the most part, it has replaced her notebook computer for the majority of her computing activities.

It’s not that the Kindle has amazing functionality and zippy computer power. The beauty of the Kindle Fire is that it’s inexpensive ($199), and has the basic features that make it very useful; web browsing, email, and ebook reading. The previous ebook readers by Kindle lacked web browsing and email functionality, so they were limited to being pure ebook readers. You can bet that the Kindle Fire has Apple thinking twice charging $600 for an iPad.

Continuing the subject of low-priced tablet computers, the I-slate, developed by the Institute for Sustainable and Applied Infodynamics (ISAID), a joint venture of Houston’s Rice University and Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University, is being developed for the educational environment and has a targeted price of $45. Yes, $45 U.S. dollars.

Check out the following story:

India’s Mahabubnager District, Indian non-profit Villages for Development and Learning Foundation (ViDAL), Rice University and Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore announced that the district plans to adopt 50,000 of the low-cost electronic I-slate tablet computer into middle and high school classrooms over the next three years.

According to the announcement, the I-slate, a low-cost learning tool designed for classrooms with no electricity and too few teachers, is under joint development by the I-slate Consortium, which includes hardware and software experts at Rice and NTU, social outreach partners from ViDAL, and a Los Angeles-based design team.

The district of Mahabubnagar in the Indian state Andhra Pradesh has about 500,000 students in government schools. Consortium leaders and Mahabubnagar officials said they hope to supply I-slates to at least 10 percent of the students over the next three years.

“The I-slate project is about empowering local communities with education and knowledge,” said Rajeswari Pingali, ViDAL founding chairwoman. “Based on two years of lab-to-school testing rounds, today we have a fully functional I-slate which will be adapted by the district education department for expanding the footprint of technology and bringing learning opportunities backed by the latest in modern communication technology for the benefit of rural communities.”

According to the announcement, about 30 fourth-generation I-slates were delivered this month to a class of 10- to 13-year-olds at the Mohamed Hussainpalli Village School, which is located in Mahabubnagar District, about 70 miles from Hyderabad. The new I-slates are the first to feature a new “sense-optimized” user interface designed to improve educational outcomes in rural India.

“Sense optimization is a systematic way of improving the user experience by taking advantage of our knowledge of how the human brain processes the information so we can invest the minimum amount of resources for the effectiveness level we’re trying to reach,” said I-slate creator Krishna Palem, a professor at both Rice and NTU. “The I-slate is not a tablet computer. It is a device designed for a single purpose — education in a low-resource environment.”

Mahabubnagar is primarily rural and has a population of around 4 million. District officials plan to use the I-slate in middle and high school classrooms. With sufficient volume, the unit cost for the I-slate will be around $45 (56 Singapore dollars), Palem said.

Palem, Rice’s Ken and Audrey Kennedy Professor of Computing, initially conceived the I-slate in 2008. He thought power consumption would be the biggest hurdle, because many rural schools in India lack electricity, and a solar-powered I-slate would need to run on no more than three watts of power. However, as soon as students in Mohamed Hussainpalli Village began testing early prototypes, it became obvious that usability and effectiveness would also be a challenge.

The I-slate’s Los Angeles-based design team, which includes Marc Mertens, CEO of the Seso Media Group, and project leader Henrik Andersson, volunteered their time to work with ViDAL, NTU specialists in human-computer interaction and Rice student interns. The designers evaluated feedback from children at Mohamed Hussainpalli Village School and spent thousands of hours scrutinizing the placement and flow of features and the way children interacted with the I-slate both visually and by touch.

It was reported that the designers incorporated elements from video games and social networking to draw students in and hold their interest. For example, a colorful cartoon creature in the corner of the I-slate screen watches the student and changes expression based upon the child’s actions. The more the student studies and the better her grades, the happier the creature appears. (EDITOR’S NOTE: to see the user interface in action, watch the video linked at the end of this release.)

The I-slate is a joint project of the Rice-NTU Institute for Sustainable and Applied Infodynamics (ISAID). Palem, who directs ISAID, is a Nanyang Visiting Professor at NTU.

“It is very exciting to see the early work on the I-slate expand to a larger user base,” said ISAID affiliate Vincent Mooney, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering at Georgia Tech, who worked on the I-slate as a visiting faculty member at NTU.

According to the announcement, the hardware and graphic content for the I-slate are being developed in tandem because they will ultimately use a revolutionary low-power computer chip — another of Palem’s inventions. The new chip, which could be ready for use in the I-slate by 2013, will cut power requirements in half and allow the device to run on solar power from small panels similar to those used on handheld calculators.

Thanks, and see you next week.

Follow me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/GPSGIS_Eric

March 23, 2012