User-Generated Content Will Be a Key Component of Maps, Navigation, and Location-Based Services, Says ABI Research

As users become familiar with the concepts of location-based services
and navigation, the industry continually explores how best to offer
additional location-relevant content. While professionally produced
content such as map updates, Points of Interest (POIs), and safety
camera locations continue to be the core of many location aware
services, user-generated content is becoming increasingly important to
industry players’ strategies, according to a
recent report from ABI Research.

In recent months, major players and small start-up companies have
launched services that engage user communities in updating their
existing content and creating new dynamic real-time content. Many of
these initiatives are embedded within a mobile social networking context
in which real-time experiences are shared.

“TomTom has announced that it reached the
milestone of 1 million map improvements, as suggested by users via the
company’s Map Share technology,”
says ABI Research principal analyst Dominique Bonte. “This
feature allows users to enter map corrections on their PNDs (Personal
Navigation Devices) while driving. The TomTom Map Share community has
grown to more than 500,000 users since its launch in July 2007,
demonstrating the willingness of users to contribute to the enhancement
of digital map quality. The acquisition of Tele Atlas will allow TomTom
to further improve its Map Share technology and to strengthen its
community.”

On the other side of the spectrum, start-up GyPSii officially launched
its mobile social networking application at the Mobile World Congress in
Barcelona. GyPSii lets users create and share location-based content via
their mobile phones. It combines features such as friend-finder, POI
search, and the option to upload and share geo-tagged pictures and
video. In the future, location-based advertising will be added.

“As connected PNDs, handset-based pedestrian
navigation, and location-based services begin to emerge,”
concludes Bonte, “user-generated location
content will become a key component that permits companies to enhance
their services with real-time information in a cost-effective way that
strengthens their communities and brand names. Initiatives like GyPSii
may ultimately reach a status comparable with existing social networking
sites, such as Facebook and MySpace.”

User-Generated
Digital Maps and POIs (http://www.abiresearch.com/products/market_research/UGMP),
a recent report from ABI Research, examines the major user-generated
location content features, players, trends, drivers, and barriers. The
report also forecasts the number of community-ready navigation devices
and the number of active users involved in user-generated content
initiatives. It forms part of the firm’s Location
Aware Services (http://www.abiresearch.com/products/service/Location_Aware_Services)
Research Service.

ABI Research is a leading market research firm focused on the impact of
emerging technologies on global consumer and business markets. Utilizing
a unique blend of market intelligence, primary research, and expert
assessment from its worldwide team of industry analysts, ABI Research
assists hundreds of clients each year with their strategic growth
initiatives. For information, visit www.abiresearch.com,
or call +1.516.624.2500.