"where20" entries

3 big challenges in location development

Darian Shirazi on location's trickiest issues and how an open places database could work.

With the goal of indexing the entire web by location, Fwix founder Darian Shirazi has had to dig in deep to location-based development issues. In this interview, Shirazi discusses challenges he sees in location and how Fwix is addressing them.

The convergence of biometrics, location and surveillance

Mary Haskett and Alex Kilpatrick examine biometrics in a surveillance society.

Future applications of biometrics promise increased security and convenience, but they could also dilute our expectations of privacy. In this interview, Where 2.0 speakers Mary Haskett and Alex Kilpatrick discuss what lies ahead in the biometrics world.

Why Motorola may move beyond Android

Motorola is reportedly developing its own mobile OS. Here's a few reasons why that makes sense.

Motorola is reportedly developing its own web-based mobile OS, sparking speculation that the handset maker could be diversifying beyond Android.

On a small screen, user experience is everything

Three mobile apps that get user experience right.

Building mobile apps around a look or feel isn't always the best strategy. Madhava Enros, mobile user experience lead at Mozilla, reveals three apps that effectively address user experience, not just design.

4G is a moving target

The official definition of 4G is different from the marketing term.

The "4G" mobile companies are touting isn't necessarily in line with the formal specification. The big question is: Do consumers really care?

Geolocated images reveal a place's visual identity

Cartagr.am taps geolocation to create a unique mapping layer.

Cartagr.am uses Instagram's new API to create maps out of geolocated images. The resulting visualizations reveal a location's different sides.

Are we too reliant on GPS?

Ubiquity, fragility and limited alternatives raise concerns about GPS.

A number of mistaken and intentional misuses of GPS technology have raised concerns among researches and government agencies.

Why location data is a mess, and what can be done about it

SimpleGeo's Chris Hutchins on the state of location data and the future of location services.

Usage restrictions and ever-expanding datasets make location data hard to manage. In the following interview, SimpleGeo's Chris Hutchins explains how companies and developers can address the location mess.

Location data could let retailers entice customers in new ways

If apps can detect customers inside a store, a world of promotional possibilities opens.

As more retailers dive into the app market, maximizing the use of location-based data could maximize sales potential as well. Here's a look at some of the current and theoretical applications.

Social media in a time of need

How the Red Cross and the Los Angeles Fire Department integrate social tools into crisis response.

The Red Cross and the Los Angeles Fire Department have been at the forefront of incorporating social media into crisis response. Here's a look at some of the tools and techniques they've adopted.