Location for Mobiles

1. Location for Mobiles Mobile Computing Some slides from MobEduNet Bruce Scharlau, University of Aberdeen, 2011

2. Where… is the question answered by location How do I get there? What’s around me? Where am I? Bruce Scharlau, University of Aberdeen, 2011

3. Location needs context Car/Walk Bike ??? Where am I going, and how am I travelling there? Bruce Scharlau, University of Aberdeen, 2011

4. LBS can be pulled by the client Pull based scenarios let the user determine the interaction: get directions, find a shop, etc Bruce Scharlau, University of Aberdeen, 2011

5. LBS push and pull the client Push based scenarios let the service prompt the user: proximity based sending of adverts and coupons Special voucher for startbucks Bruce Scharlau, University of Aberdeen, 2011

6. Location can be determined a number of ways for mobiles A- GPS Satellite GPS Enhanced 911 Cell tower ID Local proximity for Bluetooth Bruce Scharlau, University of Aberdeen, 2011 http://www.flickr.com/photos/timothymorgan/75699268/

7. Location methods all offer different features • Real-time positioning methods • Accuracy depends on the method used • Different level of accuracy • Warm-up time Bruce Scharlau, University of Aberdeen, 2011

8. The output of the location also differs • Location types: • Spatial term • Text description • Text description is usually expressed as a street address, including city, postal code, etc. Bruce Scharlau, University of Aberdeen, 2011

9. Spatial terms provide latitude-longitude-altitude • Latitude: 0-90 degrees north or south of the equator • Longitude: 0-180 degrees east or west of the prime meridian, which passes through Greenwich, England • Altitude: meters above sea level Bruce Scharlau, University of Aberdeen, 2011

10. Go the ‘long way round’ to remember lat/long • Latitude = north/south of the equator • Longitude = east/west of Greenwich Bruce Scharlau, University of Aberdeen, 2011

11. Location can be determined a number of ways for mobiles A- GPS Satellite GPS Enhanced 911 Cell tower ID Local proximity for Bluetooth Bruce Scharlau, University of Aberdeen, 2011 http://www.flickr.com/photos/timothymorgan/75699268/

12. Network based positioning uses Cell ID • Device is communicating with a Base Transceiver Station (BTS) • Current cell ID can be used to identify BTS • Accuracy depends on the size of the cell: • A GSM cell may be anywhere from 2 to 20 kilometers in diameter • Other techniques used along with cell ID can achieve accuracy within 150 meters Bruce Scharlau, University of Aberdeen, 2011

13. Satellite based positioning • GPS is controlled by the US Department of Defense, and other systems are also coming online • Determines the device's position by calculating differences in the times signals from different satellites take to reach the receiver • Most accurate method, between 4 and 40 meters • Disadvantages: • Extra hardware can be costly • Consumes battery while in use • Requires some warm-up • „Canyon effects” in cities, where satellite visibility is intermittent Bruce Scharlau, University of Aberdeen, 2011

14. Short-range positioning beacons use Bluetooth • Small areas like single buildings • Local area network can provide location • Bluetooth for short-range positioning Bruce Scharlau, University of Aberdeen, 2011

15. Accuracy is dependent upon the application • Some applications don't need high accuracy: • Position information from a larger area • Others will be useless if the location isn't accurate enough: • Navigation applications Bruce Scharlau, University of Aberdeen, 2011

16. There are also other issues to consider Where were you at?, asks the boss. Where is the shipment?, asks the delivery man. What is the pattern of behaviour for this customer?, asks the network operator. All can be answered with Location data, but should they be? Bruce Scharlau, University of Aberdeen, 2011

17. Nokia and maps the dark horse? • Believe still long way to go with maps: generic now, tailored per context in future • Crosss-platform HERE Maps with API for developers • Combine maps with AR for more information and content http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/appsblog/2012/nov/14/nokia-here-maps-location Bruce Scharlau, University of Aberdeen, 2011

18. Foursquare is like a loyalty card • Analytics and Yield management: some 500,000 registered merchants with dashboard allows merchants to claim their venue, run specials, and access a host of other data about how 15mn customers interact with their business in real-time. • Customer loyalty: Foursquare wants to be "a digital version of a stamp card." This is where check-in specials come in: Free drinks for the mayor or for the nth check-in.  • Search and Discovery: Foursquare added the Explore feature a year ago to let users search neighborhoods and garner recommendations for nearby businesses.  • Deals: Foursquare has partnered with a number of daily deal sites over the past year to provide real-time location-based deals http://www.businessinsider.com/bii-report-heres-how-location-based-services-like-foursquare-are-trying-to-become-big-businesses-2012-9 Bruce Scharlau, University of Aberdeen, 2011

19. Location apps not easy • Facebook places is little-used by business; possibly as not mobile based app • Google Latitude not done much and more of a bolt-on to maps • Yelp both desktop (search for places to eat/drink/etc) and mobile with reviews etc, but mainly US Bruce Scharlau, University of Aberdeen, 2011

20. Location based services aren’t corporate enough • Security and privacy policies fine for individuals, but not at business level. • People want more control over who sees where they are • Location is really another form of social media http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9226785/Location_based_services_Are_they_there_yet_ Bruce Scharlau, University of Aberdeen, 2011

21. LBS in iOS uses location + maps • Core location provides ‘where’ someone is • Maps handled by Map Kit Framework • Geocoding to move from lat/long to place objects (address, building, etc) on map • Reverse geocoding also possible • Issue with maps at moment… Bruce Scharlau, University of Aberdeen, 2011

22. And where is Aberdeen? What’s the latitude and longitude of Aberdeen? Bruce Scharlau, University of Aberdeen, 2011

23. Aberdeen is west of London 57.1467°N 2.0901°W http://www.earthtools.org/ Bruce Scharlau, University of Aberdeen, 2011

24. Use Google API for location • Select Google APIs for new projects using maps and location • Otherwise your app won’t run Bruce Scharlau, University of Aberdeen, 2011

25. Also put permissions in manifest • Need to add permissions for • INTERNET • ACCESS_COURSE_LOCATION • ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION Bruce Scharlau, University of Aberdeen, 2011

26. Manifest also needs to specify map library Apps with maps need to specify need as ‘true’ for com.google.android.maps library in manifest Bruce Scharlau, University of Aberdeen, 2011

27. Map layouts need API key • Need to get Google MAPs API key to use maps in your apps – referenced in layout http://code.google.com/android/add-ons/google-apis/mapkey.html This allows map tiles to be downloaded to your application Bruce Scharlau, University of Aberdeen, 2011

28. Direction API for routes included Can use direction API within maps API for routes http://www.anddev.org/google_driving_directions_-_mapview_overlayed-t826.html Bruce Scharlau, University of Aberdeen, 2011

29. LocationListener updates map This is about as simple as it gets for map display http://www.vogella.de/articles/Android/article.html#locationapi Bruce Scharlau, University of Aberdeen, 2011

30. Use DDMS tool to set location Bruce Scharlau, University of Aberdeen, 2011

31. Geocoder library to look up location Bruce Scharlau, University of Aberdeen, 2011

32. Why hasn’t LBS taken off? • LBS ads since 2000, so why only worth $685mil in 2012? • Ring tones by comparison had grown to be worth $5bil in 12 years http://communities-dominate.blogs.com/brands/location-based/ Bruce Scharlau, University of Aberdeen, 2011

33. LBS is a distraction leading to wrong offering If I’m not where I thought I’d be when something is to be delivered, do I want it delivered to where I am now? If I’m looking at a map, do I always want it centred on where I am now? http://communities-dominate.blogs.com/brands/location-based/ Bruce Scharlau, University of Aberdeen, 2011

34. Location limits your business Why limit LBS adverts to when you’re there? Same advert to all possible customers catches more people? Eg florist, restaurant so can plan ahead http://communities-dominate.blogs.com/brands/location-based/ Bruce Scharlau, University of Aberdeen, 2011

35. Context is more important than location Location is one attribute among many, and proximity could be good too, but both are subservient to context Pay attention to what the person is doing and their current goal and you’ll do better http://communities-dominate.blogs.com/brands/location-based/ Bruce Scharlau, University of Aberdeen, 2011

36. Summary • Maps need API key to be displayed • Maps needs permissions set in manifest • Maps need API enabled • Lots of work done over network Bruce Scharlau, University of Aberdeen, 2011

37. Location API for Java ME is JSR 179 • JSR 179: javax.microedition.location package • Physical location • Orientation (compass direction) • Support the creation and use of databases of known landmarks, stored in the device Bruce Scharlau, University of Aberdeen, 2011

38. The Location API has only a few components Source: Nokia Location Guide Bruce Scharlau, University of Aberdeen, 2011

39. JSR 179 requires CLDC 1.1 • Connected Device Configuration (CDC) or Connected Limited Device Configuration 1.1 (CLDC) for floating-point numbers • CLDC 1.0 does not support floating-point numbers • No requirements for MIDP Bruce Scharlau, University of Aberdeen, 2011

40. Hardware determines the other requirements, ie BT, GPS, orientataion • Hardware platform determines which location methods are supported • At least one is needed for using LBS • Request providers with particular characteristics, such as a minimum degree of accuracy • Some location methods may be free; others may entail service fees Bruce Scharlau, University of Aberdeen, 2011

41. Using Java ME the Location API starts with a Criteria Need a LocationProvider, but can only call that once you know the criteria for choosing one: cost, accuracy, etc Criteria c = new Criteria(); LocationProvider lp = LocationProvider.getInstance(c); Bruce Scharlau, University of Aberdeen, 2011

42. Don’t need to write any extra code to get coordinates from Bluetooth GPS API checks for ‘best’ LocationProvider given the Criteria requirements If it finds an ‘on-board’ device, then it uses that. If not, then it checks the Bluetooth list of devices for a suitable one, and uses this. Bruce Scharlau, University of Aberdeen, 2011

43. With a LocationProvider you can call getLocation() to find your location No matching LocationProvider returns null, and a LocationException if no LocationProviders are available Location location = lp.getLocation(10); // timeout in seconds QualifiedCoordinates qc = location.getQualifiedCoordinates(); double lat = qc.getLatitude(); double lon = qc.getLongitude(); Bruce Scharlau, University of Aberdeen, 2011

44. Get period updates on your position with LocationListener // method added by LocationListener public void locationUpdated(LocationProvider provider, Location location) { QualifiedCoordinates qc = location.getQualifiedCoordinates(); double lat = qc.getLatitude(); double lon = qc.getLongitude(); String latString = Double.toString(lat); String lonString = Double.toString(lon); log("locationUpdated(): " + latString + " " + lonString); } // method added by LocationListener public void providerStateChanged(LocationProvider provider, int newState) { log("providerStateChanged()"); } Bruce Scharlau, University of Aberdeen, 2011

45. Use ProximityListener to find out when you’re close to a location These only work on supported devices Bruce Scharlau, University of Aberdeen, 2011

46. The LandmarkStore provides a location database LandmarkStore.createLandmarkStore("Auction"); Easy to create a LandmarkStore All LandmarkStores available to ALL Java ME apps String[] stores = LandmarkStore.listLandmarkStores(); Bruce Scharlau, University of Aberdeen, 2011

47. Find your LandmarkStore and then add landmark LandmarkStore ls = LandmarkStore.getInstance("Auction"); qc = new QualifiedCoordinates(35.977876, -78.514786, Float.NaN, Float.NaN, Float.NaN); Landmark landmark = new Landmark("Baseball park", "Forest Park", qc, null); ls.addCategory("Sports"); ls.addLandmark(landmark, "Sports"); Bruce Scharlau, University of Aberdeen, 2011

48. Find landmarks meeting set criteria using Enumeration Enumeration ge = ls.getLandmarks(null, 35.963280, 36.010783, -78.555336, -78.483582); while (ge.hasMoreElements()) { Landmark found = (Landmark) ge.nextElement(); log(" " + found.getName()); } ls.getLandmarks(double minLatitude, double maxLatitude, double minLongitude, double maxLongitude); Bruce Scharlau, University of Aberdeen, 2011

49. You may also be able to determine the Orientation of the device Orientation provides an understanding of ‘North’ either as magnetic, or ‘true North’ as ‘magnetic north’ moves over time This can be used in some devices such as the N95 as a type of ‘accelerometer’ similar to what is used in the Wii controls Bruce Scharlau, University of Aberdeen, 2011

50. Nokia’s TouristRoute example provides a LBS and MVC study Source: Nokia Location Guide Bruce Scharlau, University of Aberdeen, 2011