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Report: Twitter to launch location-based ads later this year
Twitter has been steadily ramping up its ad efforts this year, first bringing promoted tweets to mobile devices and more recently opening up ad buying to all US users. Now, according to Ad Age, the social network is preparing to introduce promoted tweets based on your location. In addition to displaying nearby retailers, this feature could showcase deals and promotions at stores in your area. Twitter already display's different advertisers' tweets based on general metro areas, but drilling down into specific geo-coordinates will naturally deliver more relevant adverts. Facebook, meanwhile, has been serving up content based on a user's ZIP code since 2011; so a little catch-up is definitely in order. Twitter's targeted ads will supposedly launch at the end of the year, just in time for that all-important retail rush.
Twitter reportedly working on location-based discovery tool
The next big Twitter feature? Finding out what your neighbor's talking about, 140 characters at a time, of course. According to All Things D, the service is working on exactly that, a location-based feature that was reportedly developed at a hack week held by the company earlier this month. Twitter, predictably, isn't commenting on the reportedly upcoming feature, but D has says that this information is coming from "multiple sources." No word on how close they all are to one another.
Apple looking into "Location-Based Emergency Information" app for travelers
I'm an American, but I live in the United Kingdom and travel frequently to foreign countries in Europe. If there's one piece of technology that has most benefited the international traveler in the last five years it's been the iPhone. Having a personal computer in your pocket that lets you interact with all facets of your life from anywhere you are is a godsend. That's not even to mention the thousands of apps aimed at international travels that make exploring cities, translating words and languages, and getting you from the train station or airport to your hotel in one piece as easy as tapping a button. Since the iPhone is such an indispensable piece of travel kit, I'm especially excited to see that Apple has begun work on building a location-based emergency information app. AppleInsider found the patent continuation, published by the US Patent and Trademark Office, on Thursday. Titled "Location-Based Emergency Information" the patent continuation notes that for the international traveler the process of gathering emergency services information for a foreign local can be both time consuming and confusing. That often leads many travelers to not even look into emergency services information until a problem arises -- causing a potentially fatal delay. From the filing: "When a person travels abroad, emergencies can occur. For example, the person can become injured in an accident, be a victim of a crime or lose their travel documents. In those situations, having knowledge of contact information for local emergency services or the pertinent consular services can be beneficial." The patent continuation describes a location-aware "Emergency" app that would offer international travelers quick access to local police, fire or medical assistance. AppleInsider points to one illustration in the patent that shows the Emergency app with a drawer that pulls out and asks the user to select an icon for which local emergency service they would like to contact. The site also speculates that the Emergency app would be useful in a user's home country as well. For example, in the US the app could direct the user to alternate assistance numbers (like 311) instead of dialing 911 for situations that are not true emergencies. However, there's no hint that Apple's Emergency app will see the light of day any time soon, if ever. Apple holds thousands of patents for products and services which never make it into consumers' hands. This is one patent, however, that could potentially save lives, so I hope we will see it in the App Store eventually.
Facebook Nearby helps you discover your friends' hangouts, view local business ratings
You've probably managed to track down another app or two that accomplishes the same, or maybe you have no interest in a ratings-driven discovery platform at all -- either way, Facebook's decided to tap your smartphone's GPS yet again, offering up recommended venues through an updated Nearby. The new section lets you identify local establishments that your e-buds have checked into or liked. Businesses are sorted by category, so you can find a cozy coffee shop on a rainy day with ease, or stumble upon a neighborhood dog park that a special friend happens to frequent with her pooch. Perhaps most intriguing, however, is the suggestion that Facebook may "add places info from third party services in the near future," perhaps making the app a one-stop shop for all your cafe/club/shop/hotel-searching needs. You may already have a "Nearby" tab in your Android or iOS app -- Facebook has confirmed that the new tool will rollout beginning today.
Foursquare for Android updated for more social check-ins, shares club-hopping with the world
There's a good reason Foursquare has an Overshare badge. Still, that hasn't stopped the location service from rolling out an update to Android users that simplifies broadcasting your position to the world. The Android check-in screen now matches that of the iOS app with a more streamlined appearance that more quickly shares updates with Facebook and Twitter; mentioning friends is easier as well. As long as your social circle doesn't mind knowing that you checked into three different dance clubs in one night, Foursquare's update awaits at the source.
Foursquare 5.0 hands-on
Foursquare just posted its promised mobile app overhaul this morning, and it's a doozy: virtually everything in 5.0 has been given a fresh look or, in some cases, a complete rethink. The changes are, ideally, to goad us into using Foursquare to find places to visit, not just to check in after we're already past the front door. But is Foursquare pushing too hard? Will mayors want to resign in protest? We're digging in to find out. %Gallery-157474%
Google patents location-based mobile alerts that know where you're going to
To date, the term smartphone's mostly been a misnomer for larger screen, albeit still dumb, handsets imbued with rich web browsing experiences. With the exception of the Galaxy S III's SmartStay feature and the Droid RAZR, not many other high-end devices can lay claim to "intelligent," user-adaptive behavior. Which is why our eyes are trained on this recently awarded Google patent that stands poised to turn future Android (we presume) devices into location-aware assistants. Originally submitted back in September of 2011, the USPTO filings describe a software-based profile alarm that seems eerily reminiscent of Motorola's own Smart Actions -- a fitting appropriation given the just wrapped acquisition. Using a combination of GPS and network address data, as well as prior travel habits, the system outlined in the docs would ping a user with tailored mobile profiles configured with contextually relevant settings, information and apps. Effectively, your phone would become the ultimate personal assistant, pandering to your on-the-go needs without the irritating need for praise and positive feedback. That's if this software ever makes it out of Google's IP stronghold and into the light of day.
Gympact iPhone app offers cash rewards to gym-goers, penalizes inattendance
We know, it's the new year and you just made a resolution to start going to the gym regularly... for the fifth year in a row. But you really mean it this time, don't you? There's an intriguing way to make sure you stay motivated throughout 2012 -- the almighty dollar. And we're not just talking gym memberships, either, though you'll probably need one: an iPhone app called GymPact offers cash rewards if you honor your weekly fitness commitment and makes you cough up some of our own hard-earned money if you slack off. Here's how it works: you first make a pact on how many days you'll go to the gym each week (minimum of one day per week) and how much you'll fork out if you miss, with the minimum penalty set at five bucks for each day you miss. If you have to pay, that money gets taken out of your credit card and goes straight into a community pot, which then gets divided up and doled out to everyone who honored their weekly commitment. How does the app know when you've stayed true to your vow? It's easy enough: you have to check-in to the gym using the app and stay for at least 30 minutes in order for your visit to count. The negative motivation seems to be working so far: according to GymPact, the startup saw a success rate of 90 percent in its six-month Boston-area trial. Unfortunately, iOS is the only platform the program is currently available on, but the company says it's working on an HTML5 web app that would allow check-ins from any smartphone. Now, if only there was an app to keep us from going to the Drive-Thru immediately after we leave the gym...
MagnetU connects you with similar people in your area, because diversity is overrated
You could make friends the old fashioned way, with casual introductions, eye contact and other intrinsically human social skills; or you could just sit back and let MagnetU do all the heavy lifting for you. The Israeli startup, founded in 2010, has just unveiled what it calls a "proximity networking" device -- a tiny accessory that connects users to other like-minded people within their immediate vicinity. Within this lightweight gadget lies information on a user's "social desires," which can be customized and modified depending on a given situation. If you're at a networking event, for example, you can activate your "business" profile, before switching into the grossly mistitled "social" mode once you walk into a bar. Once activated, the device will automatically scan for other users within your area, comparing your data against theirs. If it finds a match, both misfits will be notified with a text message that provides details on their level of compatibility. At that point, it's up to you to exchange furtive glances and do the whole "Come here often?" Kabuki routine. The tool could also open up new marketing avenues for retailers, though MagnetU plans to begin rolling out its $24 device at college campus events, where more traditional social lubricants are few and far between.
Google announces 'opt-out' feature for wireless network owners, aims to allay privacy concerns
Google, as promised, responded to concerns over its data collection policy this morning, by announcing a new "opt-out" feature for its location based services. Under the new policy, WiFi operators can remove their home networks from Google's geolocation database by simply adding "_nomap" to the end of their access point's SSID. A network named "Engadget," for example, would be renamed "Engadget_nomap," and dutifully removed from the Google Location Server. In a blog post announcing the change, the company explained that this solution offers "the right balance of simplicity as well as protection against abuse," since it "helps protect against others opting out your access point without your permission." For more details, hit up the source link below, or check out Google's Help Center for more detailed instructions on how to opt out.
PayPal to open NYC pop-up store next month, showcase new mobile payment services
The idea of a physical PayPal store may seem somewhat counterintuitive, but that's exactly what the company is planning to open next month, in Manhattan. As TechCrunch recently revealed, the forthcoming pop-up store is slated to open its doors on November 1st, as part of a campaign designed to promote PayPal's new slate of in-store technologies. Located at 174 Hudson Street in Tribeca, the outlet will also sport a large QR code on its exterior, which passers-by can scan with their smartphones to find more information on the company's new mobile payment services. Inside, merchants will be able to better familiarize themselves with PayPal's commercial offerings, which include location-based promotions, cross-device payment services and real-time inventory checks, among others. The store will be open for about three and a half months, and PayPal's new features should be making their way to physical retailers in the near future. No word yet on specific partnerships, though the company is expected to announce them soon.
Intel to acquire Telmap, dole out easy to implement location APIs to AppUp developers
In case you weren't watching, Intel's Elements 2011 Keynote slipped in a sly acquisition announcement: the firm recently signed a deal to absorb Telmap, an Israel-based outfit whose location platform is the backbone of countless navigation apps. Intel's Peter Biddle says the navigation firm is to become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Intel, and will help AppUp developers pack their apps with unique location capabilities via Telmap's standardized APIs. Biddle wraps it up simply enough: "New advanced capabilities with just a few lines of code." Details on the deal are scarce, but hit the source link below to see Biddle's full statement in Intel's AppUp wrap-up.
South Korean Apple tracking suit is 27,000 plaintiffs strong
That whole iPhone location tracking kerfuffle hasn't been making that many headlines here in the States as of late, but things are a bit different over in South Korea. Back in July, Kim Hyung-suk was awarded one million won ($932) from Apple Korea. Fresh from the win, the lawyer naturally got to work on a new suit. The suit now counts among its ranks 26,691 plaintiffs -- plus 921 minors who still need parental permission to join in -- all seeking the same one million won payout, for a total of around $26 million in damages. Apple, for its part, has yet to comment on the suit.
Microsoft offers up 'managed driving' source code, gets back to location-based business
WiFi-sniffing -- all the major tech giant's are doing it. But it's for your own better-targeted, location-based good... they swear. It's a familiar story that saw Google get served in France and the UK for its fleet of data-collecting Street View cars, and had Apple accidentally storing users' geographic info unencrypted on their phones. Given the history, it's not surprising to see Microsoft take the offensive by offering up source code from its own 'managed driving' program: the cars that collect WiFi, GPS and cell tower data. With the code out in the open, MS can easily side-step allegations of personal data-mining and continue its focus on improving local search services. The move is further evidence that the Ballmer-led company intends to take user privacy very seriously, having already stopped the tracking of individual Windows Phone handsets last May. Location aware devices are an inevitable part of our search-assisted lives, we just wish they all came with a giant opt-out button. [Image credit via WinRumors]
AT&T ShopAlerts: first location-based ads from a US carrier kick off in four markets
A few third-party apps have been going after this market for a while now, but AT&T has just become the first American carrier to throw its weight behind location-based ads in teaming up with Placecast to launch the so-called AT&T ShopAlerts service in four markets. Residents of New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and San Francisco will be the first to experience the mind-bending future of advertising -- presumably because they're densely-populated enough to make a location-based trial worthwhile -- with seven inaugural partners: HP, Kmart, JetBlue, SC Johnson, Kibbles 'n Bits ('n Bits 'n Bits), Nature's Recipe, and the "got milk?" people. Fortunately, the system is opt-in, not out. Follow the break for AT&T's full press release.
New Google API lets mobile sites track you down
Pretty much everyone's saying that location-based services for phones are the Next Big Thing -- thing is, they've been saying that for three or four Things back now. Integrated GPS, AGPS, and comprehensive, highly accurate cell databases are finally making trackdowns a reality these days, but finding decent software to take advantage of the capability can still be a challenge thanks to some of the same issues that have been plaguing mobile platforms for years: platform dependence, slow uptake on downloads, bugginess, the list goes on. Wouldn't it be great if you could just hit up your favorite mobile-optimized site and get a location lock, no app required? That's what Google's hoping to do with its new Gears Geolocation API, which third parties can plug into their sites and automatically take advantage of both tower and GPS-based positioning. It only works on Internet Explorer on WinMo pieces at the moment, but naturally, they're looking to spread it far and wide over time.[Via Phone Scoop]
Location-Aware Computing with iPhone
If the iPhone has done anything, it's brought prominence to location-based computing. Where you compute has become as important as what you compute. A few months back, I helped out a TUAW reader by building a location application called Findme. It automatically fed the iPhone's location to Twitter, providing an emergency fallback in case the iPhone was lost or stolen. How people started using Findme really took me by surprise. Read on to find out why.
The Shroud: location-based services can be fun, too
Remember "Colors," that GPS-enabled vaporware game for the Gizmondo that was supposed to revolutionize the concept of location-based gaming, but never happened on account of Gizmondo's spectacular implosion? Well, the concept lives on -- and this time, it's in a form that a good percentage of the world's cellphone users should be able to enjoy. "The Shroud" looks looks to be a pretty ambitious and far-reaching project that attempts to bring the involvement and immersion of a traditional massively multiplayer RPG and shrink it down, allegedly offering gameplay that is "fun for hours as well as just for a few minutes." The typical RPG-ish activities play a major role in the game -- item collection and trading, quests, and the like -- but the big draws here will be the developers' ability to continually update maps and items (when the phone has a data connection, of course) and the game's LBS features, which will allow gamers to perform special tasks and challenges when in designated real-world zones -- if they have a GPS-enabled phone, of course. According to the publisher, users should never be more than four or five miles from a "hotspot" at any given time, meaning we won't need to book a flight just to get to that hot quest we're dying to complete. Look for The Shroud to hit a phone near you in the next few weeks, with availability through both carrier portals and direct download. Continue on for a few screenshots!
