Apple and Google to Blog the World

Zrop writes "AppleInsider is reporting that Apple has been working on OS-level integration of an geographical mapping technology as an integral part of Leopard, its next-generation OS. The technology is rumoured to employ GPS functionality. Will GPS chips make Apple iPod phones and MacBooks location aware? Users would be able to post information at a location, hanging in the air, ready to be browsed by people passing by. Imagine getting highly relevant messages, without even pressing a button, simply because you are in the vicinity and your preferences match the content of the post."

WHO CARES what Apple intends to use it for...

[mrchaotica]

...if this is anything like the "sudden motion sensor," it's really exciting because of all the cool stuff third parties will do with it. For example, off the top of my head I can think of a few things that I'd like to see implemented: automatically switching the "location" (which is used for determining network settings) according to the actual GPS location, linking iCal events to locations so that I can get reminders when I'm in the right place, etc.

Kinda Done...

[Clazzy]

At least in mobile phones. Some phones (in the UK at least) will automatically display the dialling code for the area you're in. It's a more simplified version but it's a handy feature to have. Of course, this is a more complex version and should hopefully have more beneficial uses.

Imagine... in my local supermarket...

[dpbsmith]

There are ads on the back and on the front inside of the shopping cart. There are ads on the floor that I walk on, while trying to manuever my cart around instrusive stands of featured products placed so as to block the aisle. Hanging off shelves in the aisle are little machines with bright blinking LEDs ready to dispense coupons for products. Flat-panel TV sets with sound hang near the meat section, running a continuous informercial. Another TV set with sound hangs above the cash register in the checkout line, running a different infomercial.

As I check out, the process is interrupted by the cashier asking whether I want to buy their X-Treme Value of the Week, which is stacked near the cash register with an ad on it, and hands me two long slips of paper: a receipt, and a bunch of ads and coupons. These latter are "highly targeted," alright: they are always for competing brands of products I just bought.

Can I "imagine getting highly relevant messages, without even pressing a button, simply because you are in the vicinity and your preferences match the content of the post?"

Yes, I can.

And I know exactly kind of messages they'll be.

And I betcha a nickel those preferences will be opt-out.

Innovation

[gorrepati]

Its been a long time since we have seen a truly innovative feature.. Hail Apple.

Re:WHO CARES what Apple intends to use it for...

[kennygraham]

linking iCal events to locations so that I can get reminders when I'm in the right place, etc.

and iCal keeping track of what time zone you're in while you travel would be very welcome

But GPS:

[RalphSleigh]

But GPS:

a) Does not work indoors, and there are very few times I would consider using a laptop outside in this climate.

b)Eats battery like nothing else, this might be good for the odd fix now and again when you boot up, but running continously would probably put a bit of a crimp on your battery.

Likely Misconceptions

[Dak RIT]

Every assumption here on Slashdot for the most part seems to assume that ANYBODY can "write" information in a location and when you walk into that location it is wirelessly transferred to your iPod, iPhone whatever, so that you have no control of what content you are receiving.

Wouldn't it be far more likely for the information to be downloaded to your iPod FIRST, and then the information already on your iPod is then simply triggered to come up when you're in a specific location? Stores could potentially use this data for advertisements, but you'd have to agree to download them first... not likely. I think a more likely use of this technology could be by museums or various attractions to provide a kind of "virtual guide" to people with iPods/iPhones, or by individuals themselves to possibly import information from iCal for example to help them remember appointments, or to use as a personal shopping list reminder that sits right there in one device with your music, phone, etc, quite convenient. Dak

Re:"integration" or "bundling"?

[b.burl]

Ah, and theres the rub. When a company leverage's its power to kill competition...the only product left is monopolist's and therefore it is the defato 'best'.

In a one party state, the best party is, well, The Party.