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geolocation

Things To Know Before Developing A Geolocation Based Mobile App

Geolocation enabled applications helps in detecting users current location. It can be both mobile applications as well as desktop application that can have geolocation technology enabled. Nowadays most of the mobile applications are having geolocation technology. It is not limited to GPS maps and navigation apps that user can find the required location and way to reach there, but in most of the mobile apps nowadays are having geolocation. Applications like Yelp, Justdial, NearBuy, groupon, etc. uses customer’s current location to show them deals or places that are closest to their current location. There are certain type of apps for which geolocation is the main feature, for example, cab services apps like uber or ola uses customer’s current location to provide them cab services nearest and quickest. Weather forecasting apps also use geolocation technology to show the current temperature of the user’s current location. If you talk about social networking apps, like facebook and Instagram, it has features of select the current location to upload photographs or videos in that location. Even travel industry uses geolocation based services to give best deals to the customer. These were some of the apps that majorly use geolocation and are highly useful for daily use to customers. These days even gaming apps are coming with geolocation enabled features. The most relevant example of such a gaming app is Pokemon go, which uses player’s current location and creates images over the real environment images. Such apps are called augmented reality apps, and are currently in trend all over the world. Hence, it is absolutely visible how much geolocation is used worldwide in every domain and every field. It is the fundamental feature that every mobile app is looking forward for. Now that we understood geolocation is in trend, let us know what are key factors of geolocation mobile app development: Geolocation Technologies GPS Geolocation technology works using Global Positioning System (GPS) chip that is installed in smartphones. Generally, all the smart phones have GPS chip. This chip determines and shows the current location of the device by using the data of time and location sent by the satellites. A phone requires data from approximately 4 satellites to give accurate information. Cell ID When GPS data is not available, then phone’s cell ID is used to find the location of the phone by comparing user’s data with station’s data. Wi-Fi There are other technologies also there which are used for determining location. Like Wi-Fi connection is used to determine the location as it has small area coverage and give precise information about the location. Then Google Maps can be used to put it on real map. Google Maps offers APIs for iOS and Android mobile app development and it is easy to integrate while mobile app development and enable geolocation. Geofencing Geofencing is used to determine distance of the users from a specific location. For example, when you book an Uber cab, it shows how far is the driver from your place. Such data is provided by geofencing. There are three types of geofencing: Static geofencing that uses person’s current location by finding nearby landmarks like movie theatre, store, markets, etc. Dynamic geofencing uses person’s current location by changing data stream. Like latest offers at near by stores or advertisements Combined geofencing uses interaction with other users like recent check-ins with applications like facebook, Instagram, etc. API Integration and Availability Application Programming Interface (API) is used for applications to interact with smartphone’s operating system, like iOS and Android. For geolocation technology, there are two types of APIs that are integrated in the application. One is API that uses GPS, Wi-FI or Call ID to determine current location of the user and shows results based on the address entered by the user. Second type of API is used for searching near by landmarks on the maps like cafes or movie theater, etc. Google play services have library of APIs that can be used for integrating geolocation in the application. Mainly IntelliJ IDEA IDE or Android Studio IDE (Integrated development environment) are used for developing geolocation based applications. For iOS based geolocation apps, swift programming language is used for application development. Security Factors There are varied social media apps that displays current location of the user to all the connections. One example of such feature is in Facebook application, where you can see which all of your connections are near by your location. But it is important to consider the fact that every user will not prefer to share their current location with all the connections. Therefore, while developing a geolocation based feature in your app, it is necessary to consider security of your users and give them rights to decide whether they want to display their current location or not. The factors listed in the article proves the importance of geolocation based apps and also the key points one needs to keep in mind before developing a geolocation enabled mobile app. To keep up with the trend and give your users a seamless experience, get geolocation integrated in your app now. Blog Source- https://www.mindinventory.com/blog/things-to-know-before-developing-a-geolocation-based-mobile-app/

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Benefits of Having Geolocation in Your Mobile App

The mobile based technology is constantly getting upgraded with each passing day and as such the users are watching a new feature being added in the mobile applications. The Geo-Location is one such technology which helps in determining and identifying the exact location of any device such as a Smartphone, tablet, laptop, radar and so on. In fact, it is similar to that of Global Positioning System (GPS) in some ways, but there is a difference. It utilizes the cell site triangulation apart from GPS to detect the location. According to Mobile App Market trends and analysis, the 2017 will perceive the emergence of Location Based Service (LBS), besides the present GPS. This will prove to be a boon for the users as it will provide real-time information. Geo-location can be used for a number of applications. In fact, it has been rightly identified as the backbone for several businesses, without which it will be nearly impossible for the owners to operate it. One of the optimal illustrations that one can put forward in this case is cab based apps such as Uber or Ola. There is no denial to the fact that it has also brought a crucial change in the marketing strategies. In addition, the retail industry can also benefit from it by knowing the location of the customer and getting familiar with his or her purchase history. You can spot the location of a place on the map through geo-location. For instance, if you are searching for a particular address of a building on a map, you only need to put an element in the online space of the map, which contextualize it. The Google Map is based on this principle, where the site gets marked adding context to the location. Now, before we move on to the main course of discussion, and focus on the importance of geo-location in the apps, first let’s throw some eminent light on important data and statistics based on the location apps. The Pew Research Center conducted a survey on location based services and it came to the following inferences. About 74% of the adult Smartphone users use geo-location to get the directions and other information based on their current location. About 30% of people have got their social media platforms linked with their posts and this figure is expected to go up. The findings also informed that around 12% of the users use geo-location to track a certain spot or they like to share their location with the friends. So, now that we have adequate statistics, let’s find out the reasons as why geo-location becomes a necessary feature in your mobile app. The Taxi and Cab Industry If a person is booking a cab from a certain point to any destination, he uses the geo-location services with or without knowledge. The Geo-location uses your location adding value to it and refers to it as the pickup location. The same procedure is followed in the case of destination spot which is called drop-in location. The fare generated for the journey is also based on the geo-location. Today, taking rides in taxis and booking them online has become much more simplified than earlier. The Augmented Reality Games and their Popularity It is surprising to note that geo-location has had a great impact on the augmented reality games. This trend gained a good momentum in the 2016. One of the best examples that can be exhibited in this context is Pokémon Go. The geo-location based game became a huge hit and was downloaded by millions of people all around the world. It showed the effectiveness of geolocation when the user becomes more localized. Online Order and Delivery of Food Items Today we all use Smartphones or other devices to place order for online food delivery. There are a number of food delivery apps where an individual can track the status of food and know how far it has reached. You can know the exact location with the help of geolocation. If there is any delivery charge then it is calculated based on the distance travelled. Moreover, geolocation is also helpful in tracing any nearby restaurants. Tracking of Products Brought via E-commerce Site Geolocation is again very handy in tracking the location of your items, which you have purchased from any e-commerce website. You can get familiar with when your item is getting shipped and when you would be receiving it. Here also if there are any shipping charges, then it is done with the help of geolocation only. Benefits of Having Geolocation for offline business If you thought that geolocation is a win-win situation only for online business or e-commerce sites, then you might have to think again. Yes, even the offline business owners can maximize their benefits through the location based apps. It helps the retail and mCommerce industry to track the location of their customers and offer better improved services. In fact, many indoor location technologies can also be found. Helps to Flourish the Dating Industry The geolocation services also lending its helping hand to the dating industry, which helps it in flourishing. Most of the popular dating apps feature helps the user to find nearby dates. It also helps in finding the distance range in setting for the dates. All this is possible because of the location based apps. Helps connecting you to Your Neighbourhood There are some geolocation apps which help in establishing connection with your neighbours. You get to know the person living next to you a much better way. In fact, it has attracted a large number of audiences. Time Based and Memory Apps Geolocation Apps also render their service when the person reaches the location. It then works with Global Positioning System (GPS). The individual gets a reminder via push notification once he reaches the spot. They prove to be of great help when the person is not aware of the exact location he has to go. Helps to Track Sporting Activities Geolocation apps can

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