I'll be honest. When thinking of navigation and location and how they tie into mobile, I have always thought more about a user in a car driving around looking for directions or maybe a traveler in a city they are not familiar with. With the exception of finding public transportation, I had never given much thought about how important maps/GPS are to people walking. Just read this story about a survey Nokia's navigation division did where two thirds of those surveyed want both driving and walking directions. The survey also identified 4 things that users want from walking navigation. Those listed in the article were: 1. Public Transportation information with real-time data.
2. “Logical Guidance” or shortcuts and specific routes.
3. Guidance such as landmarks.
4. Micro Maps of destinations such as airports and shopping malls
There are plenty of apps that cover public transportation and #3 sounds a bit like a specific Layar but, more than anything, it shows that there is much more that ties into Location than just a map and directions. In fact, at some point, I have to think the App store craze will eventually morph into the Map Store movement. Just think "Apps for your Maps". Given that Mobile devices are just that- Mobile, shouldn't everything we do revolve around our location? The map could be an even more central piece of your mobile phone where map stores could start popping up that offer free/sell small map extensions or add-ons that do the above and so much more. Every landmark, shopping zone, park etc. could have it's own add-on. Basically it would be the app store but tied back to the map where the location is what ties everything together. OK, it may be an idea that never happens but it illustrates that there is still so much innovation yet to come with mobile and with that so many new and exciting ways to market to people through their mobile device.
2. “Logical Guidance” or shortcuts and specific routes.
3. Guidance such as landmarks.
4. Micro Maps of destinations such as airports and shopping malls
There are plenty of apps that cover public transportation and #3 sounds a bit like a specific Layar but, more than anything, it shows that there is much more that ties into Location than just a map and directions. In fact, at some point, I have to think the App store craze will eventually morph into the Map Store movement. Just think "Apps for your Maps". Given that Mobile devices are just that- Mobile, shouldn't everything we do revolve around our location? The map could be an even more central piece of your mobile phone where map stores could start popping up that offer free/sell small map extensions or add-ons that do the above and so much more. Every landmark, shopping zone, park etc. could have it's own add-on. Basically it would be the app store but tied back to the map where the location is what ties everything together. OK, it may be an idea that never happens but it illustrates that there is still so much innovation yet to come with mobile and with that so many new and exciting ways to market to people through their mobile device.
