4 replies to this topic

[Greens]

Location based tracking

You're relaxing at a rejuvenating spa and you're woken up by the buzz of your cell phone. The call's from your boss. And you say `I'm at the Doc's place'. While you are safe in the knowledge that your boss would never know where you are, he/she can pinpoint your exact location.

Not a surrpise though, with the advent of location based tracking technology!

Presence detection seems to be the most sought-after services in wireless technology. Phones carrying Global Satellite Positioning Chips and another technology called Triangulation* , can pinpoint a mobile-phone users' whereabouts by bouncing signals to establish an exact set of co-ordinates.

The location based tracking was basically targeted at children using mobile phones. Since it was thought to be a good way for parents to keep track of their kids rather than phoning them constantly to find out where they are.

The mobile-phone networks believe the location-based tracking services - which allow firms to target specific customers when they enter designated locations will become a major marketing weapon in the future, thus offering customers a whole new experience..

However, those in favour of tracking opine that the technology needs to be handled sensitively.

* Triangulation- The process of pinning down a caller's location using three or more radio receivers, a compass and a map.

Links:

http://www.3glocate.com/
http://www.guardian....1133025,00.html
http://www.mobilein....ed_services.htm
http://www.guardian....1101730,00.html
http://www.wirelessi...search_svcs.htm

NV Priyanka
Content Team -- BSNL Portal -- Intelligroup Asia Pvt Ltd
content@bsnl.in

[anujit]

Apparently most high-end 3g phone support GPS, including the Samsung A500 series. But I don't think the facility is there in the A563! Or I hope not anyways. However this tracking can only be used by Law enforcement agencies, rescue workers etc, I don't think bosses will be allowed to track their employess (unknowingly) with this sort of technology.

[Tushar]

Well I suppose even bosses could use this facility some time back I'd read in the TOI regarding this it said hat some parents and organisations abroad are alredy using this facility. There are websites that at a price give the location of the mobile no. in the map. And also I remember that there was a mention of adds on the phone, in some time be prepared to recieve an sms when u passing from McDonalds regarding their new burgers.

[Greens]

That's M-Commerce, Mobile Commerce.
SMS is going to be next great marketing tool after Television.
So expect operators make much more on this.

[city02]

I don't think bosses will be allowed to track their employess (unknowingly) with this sort of technology.

But it will certainly happen with permission.
I would fully expect anyone reporting to me with a company mobile (or SIM) to have this enabled or hand back their phone/SIM!
Big brother is watching ...

For personal phones, its a different matter entirely.