Location-Based Services

Location-based services (LBS) provide smartphone users information relevant to them based on their current location. With the increased prevalence of smartphones, LBS have evolved from a novelty to a regularly utilized tool and expectation. Smartphones are ubiquitous computers that are imbedded in everyday life, and common uses of LBS include wayfinding, navigation, commerce, real-time tracking, user-solicited information, coordinated emergency response and maintenance, and artistic experiences. For example, LBS are used to view the local weather forecast and traffic conditions, to find a new restaurant and directions to it, to find the closest car or bike share parking spot and if there is availability, along with a wide range of other locational queries. Subsequent decision-making processes are based on the locational information available to the user ...