• Manufacturing
• AEC
• GIS
• CAD Management
• Cadalyst Magazine
  • Purchase Latest Issue
  • Cadalyst Access Program
  • Magazine Archives (2004-2009)
• E-Newsletters
  • Tips & Tools Archives
  • CAD Manager's Newsletter Archives
  • AEC Newsletter Archives
  • MCAD Newsletter Archives
  • GIS Tech News Archives
  • HP Workstation Innovation News
  • Dell Tech Insider
  • Harry's Code Class Archives
  • Subscribe E-newsletters
• CAD Software & Hardware Reviews
• Columns
  • "CAD Manager" Column, by Robert Green
  • "Circles & Lines" AutoCAD Tutorial, by Lynn Allen
  • "Editor's Window" Editorials, by Nancy Spurling Johnson
  • "Learning Curve" AutoCAD Tutorial, by Bill Fane
  • "User Profile" Column
  • "Viewpoint" Guest Column
• CAD Software Tutorials
  • All CAD Tutorials
  • "Circles & Lines" AutoCAD Tutorial, by Lynn Allen
  • "Learning Curve" AutoCAD Tutorial, by Bill Fane
• CAD Tips & Tools
  • Cadalyst CAD Tips - Tips and Downloadable AutoCAD Code
  • Video Tips Gallery
  • Tips & Tools Weekly Newsletter Archives
  • CAD Software Tutorials
  • Cadalyst Benchmark Test
• CAD Video Gallery
  • All Cadalyst Videos
  • All-in-One Video Tips by Curt Moreno (Sponsored by HP)
  • AutoCAD Video Tips by Lynn Allen
• CADspeed: Hardware Blog
• Cadalyst Benchmark Test
• CAD Events Calendar
• CAD Cartoons
• Reader Polls
• Subscriber Services
• Job Search
• Cadalyst Store
• Advertising

GIS Tech News (#91)

Mobile Apps Make GIS Pocket-Sized

Intensifying battles between rival smartphone providers spawn a bevy of geospatial and mapping applications.

By Andrew G. Roe

As the Apple iPhone and other smartphones begin to fend off challenges from the market's newest player — the Droid from Motorola, Verizon, and Google — consumers are seeing a burgeoning market of mobile phone applications. Hardware vendors and mobile service providers are peddling more attractive built-in apps to lure consumers to their respective platform, and software developers are scurrying to fill niches for new add-ons. In addition to generic contact management, e-mail, and Web browsing, new apps are adding location-based services to provide more technical capabilities.

Geographic information systems (GIS) professionals are among those affected by this trend, with new capabilities suddenly available at their fingertips. Although early GIS-related smartphone apps were mainly geared toward a broad consumer market, professional uses are expanding.

LBS Wireless, a software developer with offices in Sydney, Australia, and Malibu, California, recently introduced Field Assets, an iPhone/iPod touch tool that enables mobile workers to collect data on assets such as roads and utilities. The app uses the device's GPS capabilities to verify locations, and allows users to enter information such as photographs, voice recordings, and free-form text. Data can be wirelessly exported in real time via peer-to-peer Bluetooth connectivity, e-mail, Twitter, and web site uploads. According to the company, a Droid version is forthcoming. Read more »
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Andrew G. Roe is a registered civil engineer and president of AGR Associates, Inc.

Mark Your Calendar: GIS Events

ESRI Southeast Regional User Group Conference
April 26–28, 2010
Charlotte, North Carolina
The ESRI Southeast Regional User Group (SERUG) Conference will bring together more than 500 GIS software users to discuss using geospatial technology to address today's issues and get guidance from peers and ESRI staff with varied specialties. Read more

Cityworks 2010 User Conference
May 17–19, 2010
St. George, Utah
The Cityworks User Conference is the premier event for Cityworks users, business partners, and potential users. Complete with Cityworks technical courses, user, and partner presentations, Cityworks doctor’s office, exhibit hall, networking, and evening socials, the conference provides an educational and enjoyable atmosphere. Read more 

For a complete list of CAD meetings, conferences, training sessions, and more, check out our calendar of events on Cadalyst.com. Are you hosting an event that you would like to include in our calendar? Submit details at least two weeks in advance to news@cadalyst.com.

What's New at Cadalyst.com

From the Publisher: Serendipity
In an era when print magazines are disappearing all around us, why does it make sense to relaunch Cadalyst? Read more

Q&A Series: Autodesk Subscription, Part 5
How do I register my subscription on a laptop? How can I also use the software on my home computer and remain compliant? Read more

When it Comes to LEED, Platinum is the New Green
An architect committed to environmental stewardship uses 3D BIM software to design a home that's a Wisconsin first. Read more