The Transition from Internet to Mobile Mapping

Abstract

Although the wireless Internet is a natural and inevitable progression from the wired Internet, the two developed much differently. The wired Internet was based on existing personal computer and workstation technology that had begun in the early 1980s. Over 1.3 billion computers were already in use when the World Wide Web was introduced a decade later. The browser software was free and no additional hardware was required — beside the use of a modem for connection purposes. The Web was quickly applied for all sorts of information delivery and its use expanded rapidly. In contrast, the development of the mobile Internet is hindered by a number of factors, not the least of which was the development of a wireless infrastructure. To fund its development, commercial companies devised new services that would generate revenue. One such revenue scheme was Location Based Services (LBS), a model for informing the mobile phone user where they are currently located and what services are available in the surrounding area. For a variety of reasons, LBS has not grown as quickly as had been predicted. While one might blame the small display, there are many reasons examined here why the wireless Internet and LBS have not expanded more rapidly.