RIM will be funding $337,500 of a $1.3 million University of Calgary project that will study ways to improve satellite signals inside buildings.
We know RIM is very keen on LBS technologies and there are some great implications for seeing GPS fully-functional indoors and where the signal is normally very weak. The idea is that many LBS technologies are greatly improved by more users sending in data and coordinates. If these users aren’t impeded by their surroundings, we’ll see more users on the network much faster, and therefore better and more useful apps.
Over 1,000 buzzd users were surveyed about mobile etiquette in a night club/bar, and the majority said that there was no etiquette whatsoever. While this isn’t breaking news, the survey asks some pretty funny questions and it’s worth reading.
A funny statistic that came from the study shows that 60% of users admitted to drunk dialing and 68% drunk texting. The survey isn’t your standard mobile industry research paper either, it gets really saucy. For example, the study goes on to ask users about their sex lives given the economic downturn.
The survey comes with the announcement of Buzz 1.2 which is now available in App World. New features include:
The ability to add their own venues—one of the most requested features from the buzzd community
Refine searches by category (e.g. restaurants only or bars & clubs only)
Upload profile photos
General speed enhancements all around and UI improvements
TrainSchedule is a great piece of software for commuters and travelers in the US. The app shows you schedule information on upcoming trains for the next 2 weeks and includes a railroad trip planner. If your device has GPS, you can track yourself while on the train.
The above video is user generated and it’s a fairly good review of the product.
VQ CarFinder is an app that automatically remembers where you parked your car and helps you find it.
All you have to do is find a parking spot and VQ CarFinder will automatically register where you parked your car, and then when you want to find it again, simply click the VQ CarFinder icon on your BlackBerry, and BlackBerry Mpas will guide you back to the parking spot. The map comes with directional arroves that are continuously updated as you walk to the car.
The app works with a combination of software and in-vehicle Bluetooth to determine when and where the car is parked. When the user starts their car, VQ CarFinder notes the existence of the Bluetooth signal and automatically launches the GPS; when the user turns off their car, VQ CarFinder notes the loss of the Bluetooth signal and stores the last GPS waypoint as the location of the parked car.
Not one to wait around, TeleNav has notified us that they have their TeleNav GPS Navigator version 5.5 program ready to roll for the BlackBerry Tour at launch. As you’d expect, you can get turn-by-turn navigation, lowest gas prices, real time traffic and future trip planning. You can pick up the application from TeleNav’s store. If you do, the first 30 days are free.
London-based Origin8 Technologies have released iWitness for BlackBerry. iWitness is a personal safety solution that provides a suite of GPS enabled alert and reporting tools, with server side location tracking and one touch ‘panic button’ emergency activation.
iWitness features include:
Create an iWitness Alert Group of up to 16 friends, family members or professionals. One touch instantly sends an email alert to group members, including the user’s GPS location.
Customise Alert Group settings and compose alert texts in advance. Store personal information, medical conditions and GP details for easy emergency access.
A remote server can track the user’s GPS location at automatic intervals for added peace of mind.
Record events with the BlackBerry’s camera or microphone, then email recordings to contacts in an iWitness Alert Group. Recordings are also stored on a secure server, meaning evidence is not lost even if the phone is stolen, broken or confiscated.
Poynt is a great app that you can use daily. When we took a look at the app at WES 2009, we saw a ton of cool features, many of which have not yet launched but should be unofficially coming this summer (just a guess). Currently, you can search local businesses, people and movie theaters. Soon, you’ll have access to a complete restaurant search and booking service powered by Open Table.
Other features include:
GPS functionality has been optimized to provide faster accurate locates.
Cell-site locates allow Poynt to quickly access a user’s general location while awaiting a GPS lock.
Poynt is fully integrated with both BlackBerry Maps and Google Maps.
Poynt integrates with Gokivo Navigator to provide turn-by-turn voice navigation.
Users can add frequently accessed listings to their BlackBerry Contact List, providing convenience for future lookups.
Trainlogic.net is a site for train, light rail and subway schedules throughout the US. They have recently released an app for their services which lets you plan rail trips with up to two connections. The app also works in offline mode.
The app will also combine rail networks such as NJT, PATH, LIRR and Amtrak, if you want. It shows maps of your trip, any stop, and lets find out if the train you’re on is making it on time. The app advises you on peak trains, suboptimal trains, etc.
I use BlackBerry messenger often to keep in touch with both friends and coworkers. The messenger is useful but really boring in its lack of features and functionality. The coming update to BlackBerry Messenger will come with some incredible features and changes.
The upcoming BlackBerry Messenger includes:
* Avatar support — set your own avatar using the Camera or saved photo on your device (this is displayed locally as well as shown next to your Messenger name on your friend’s buddy list)
* GPS location integration — you can now set permissions so friends can always see your location, have to request it each time, or never can see it
* Proximity sensor — we’re guessing this will let you know if you’re within a certain distance of friends (pending, of course, you’re both set to share locations freely with each other)
* Set conversation subjects — this will allow you to organize your convos on the main Messenger screen and label them with subjects to keep track of all your conversations
* Homescreen support — you can pin/sticky actual Messenger contacts directly to the homescreen for easy access!
No word on launch dates yet but it will likely come with OS 5.0. Don’t expect to be able to pick up a leaked OS 5.0 and use this though, it’s still in beta and very much a guarded secret.
