Avego: formerly called Sharelift, and developed by Cork, Ireland-based Mapflow, Avego uses a connected device such as a cellphone placed in a vehicle to pull satellite navigation data and car info into a pool that functions as an web-based carpooling (or ’shared transport’) network. Avego aims at the 20% of the $2-billion-per-day single occupancy vehicle trip market Mapflow believes is well-suited for shared transport. The company is launching an iPhone app in the next 4 weeks in the US with a payment structure that is fairly innovative as well. Passengers will pay about 30 cents per mile, with 85% of the fare going to the driver and the reminder covering company expenses.
iMarkMySpot: developed by Montana-based iCloseBy, iMarkMySpot is a new iPhone ‘one-touch’ geotagging app that uses the phone’s built-in GPS to store waypoint locations which can be emailed to any address in a GPX-formatted file. Using the time stamps of the photos and waypoints, the GPX file automatically geotags and geocodes photos using compatible mapping software. Aside from geotagging, iMarkMySpot can also be used as a standalone data logger than can transpose waypoint data onto Google Maps, etc.
Google Phone Search: because emerging markets such as India rely on mobile devices rather than PC’s for web access, Google is testing out this voice-based search engine that lets users search for local businesses and information. Available right now in Hyderabad and Delhi, Google Phone Search works by allowing users access to a toll-free phone number which when called is used to request information. Google then sends back the requested info via SMS or voice in either English, Hindu or Telugu.
WalkingHotSpot: a new app/service that leverages the 3G data connection and WiFi capability of S60 3rd Edition or Windows Mobile 6+ phones to turn them into hotspots that up to five devices can be connected to simultaneously. All’s you do is head over to the site, sign up for an account and download the application onto your phone. It will cost you-but you can try it free for 7 days, then pay $6.99/month or $24.99/year thereafter.
NearU Search: not an application, but a company that specializes in SMS search, NearU Search has teamed up with GasBuddy to provide text alerts when local gas prices change. Just text Gaspass to 63278 and for $7.99/month users can find the cheapest gas prices in virtually any area.
WebDiet: this innovative application uses a variety of wireless technologies and GPS positioning to provide a real-time diet planning system that will provide meal suggestions at the point of purchase. In other words, it uses your location to find healthy eating spots near you and then makes meal recommendations in line with your health and diet goals. The service will open in private beta this month and in public beta later in Q4.
UbiSafe: yet another tracking and tracing app that allows you to locate loved one’s on a map, send and receive emergency messages, set up geofences which allow you to be alerted when the person being tracked moves beyond set boundaries, and even track speed in case a young ‘uns got the car.
Bluemapia: a new mobile socnet devoted to boaters/sailors that allows sharing of nautical-oriented multimedia including itineraries, photos and videos. Users can also place on-water hotspots on a giant user map by adding a geo-referenced photo. The Bluemapia application is free and open source and available for Windows Mobile PDA’s and smartphones, with support for the iPhone and Symbian coming soon.
Live Media GPS: this is an app I’ll be keeping my eye on. Developed by Inca Projects, Live Media GPS streams live video from your mobile phone while using its built-in GPS to track your exact location. Built using Microsoft’s Silverlight, viewers can then watch the video in real time on Microsoft’s Virtual Earth from a number of different points of view. Right now it’s available as a free download compatible with Window Mobile 5 and 5 phones with both GPS and a camera.
Google MapMaker India: Google’s Mapmaker was developed by an Indian engineering team but has just launched in India. Heavily influenced by user-generated Wiki-mapia, MapMaker is already available in 57 countries in Asia, the Island Nations and the Caribbean.
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