We've heard that GPS doesn't work well in the city (too many
skyscrapers, not enough open sky). Wifi-based location tracking
seems
to be an alternative worth considering. The idea is to have the
device
identify (but not necessarily connect) to surrounding access
points and
then determine its location by triangulation.
A little research has shown a couple wifi efforts. But before
checking
the options, it'd be wise to to formulate a couple requirements from
the savvy wireless consumer's point of view:
1. Open infrastructure, open protocol and open source (no proprietary
funniness)
2. 802.11 but not platform-specific (windows, linux, macintosh)
3. Able to have API to build services on top of it ("Wifi positioning
says I'm here")
4. User privacy (user chooses who gets their location information
on a
case by case basis)
5. AP owner privacy (respect owner's wishes)
So what do we have? A quick ''informal'' Google search reveals two
wide area options (speak up if you know of others):
''SkyHook Wireless''
[http://skyhookwireless.com/ ]
This Boston firm has press releases all over the place (financing,
contracts, awards). They used to be QuarterScope. They use a client
software on PocketPC and Windows Mobile, with something coming out
for
Palm later. They also point to theft identification of stolen
laptops.
They claim to have mapped a network on 1.5 million access points.
How?
Like this:
[http://www.skyhookwireless.com/scanning/upload.php ]
''HereCast''
[http://www.herecast.com/ ]
By comparison, check out HereCast. This is a developer community
working to provide an open infrastructure for wifi positioning.
It is
not a hotspot directory, but simply a directory of access point
location. The directory is made up by submission.
---
It's interesting to see how this space will develop. It seems any
municipal wifi would do well to consider having a location-based
service of its own. For example, if Hoboken deployed Access
Points on
each lamp post, the city could then provide simple wifi positioning
information from them.
Rob
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