Wednesday, 30 January 2013

What Is a map worth?

Maps and geo location services are worth plenty according to a study commissioned by Google (GOOG). According to the study we could be saving up to $1.6 trillion dollars mainly due to more efficient uses of resources like transportation, time and search. The industry is growing rapidly at around 30% per annum. Depending on the situation benefits can be life saving or time saving.

 



As can be seen in the chart above there are numerous benefits, maps services are great for outdoors but I get lost indoors as well! Well luckily for me GOOG has uploaded floor plans for over 10,000 indoor locations to GOOG maps. It's not yet available in Australia but for users in Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Japan, the United Kingdom, the U.S., Sweden, and Switzerland they can finally find a bathroom in the shopping mall. It is a great idea by Google but is not available on Apples (AAPL) iPhone 5 and is only available to Android users. The eco-system war between GOOG Android and AAPL iOS system has definately stepped up. It is all about the apps and maps.

If you have a mansion unfortunately you cannot show off and upload it, GOOG allows uploads of only public buildings.



This video gives a pretty good overview of what to expect.




Geo location services are extremely valuable this will only increase with the addition of indoor plans. One priceless service is no more getting lost with your partner no upside down map reading here. For me that is plenty of value add there, though I'm sure with the introduction of indoor maps I'll end up spending more effecienty (which means more) at the local shopping mall.

Jason


Disclosure: Decisive is long GOOG

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