Location-based services, conspicuous mobility, and the location-aware futureMatthew W. WilsonAssistant Professor of GeographyBall State Universitymwwilson@bsu.edu

15 April 2011

Where is business …

What are the discursive and material conditions that produce LBS?

Overview1. Technology, mobility, space2. Situating location-based services3. Mobilities of conspicuousness4. The location-aware future?

“Government is slow.Here, change happens

all the time!”

movement + representation + practice

Movements 5 by Ereine, Flickr

movement + representation + practice

Movements 5 by Ereine, Flickr

movement + representation + practice

Movements 5 by Ereine, Flickr

movement + representation + practice

Movements 5 by Ereine, Flickr

movement + representation + practice

Movements 5 by Ereine, Flickr

plurality + engagement

movement + representation + practice

Movements 5 by Ereine, Flickr

plurality + engagement

potentiality < > inert fixity

physical < > digital

Buried Technology by Andreas Solberg, Flickr

physical < > digital

Buried Technology by Andreas Solberg, Flickr

code < > space

physical < > digital

Buried Technology by Andreas Solberg, Flickr

code < > space

documenting technology+

enrolling technology

“Headphones connected to the iPhone,iPhone connected to the Internet,

connected to the Google,connected to the government.”

(M.I.A., The Message, 2010)

“Headphones connected to the iPhone,iPhone connected to the Internet,

connected to the Google,connected to the government.”

(M.I.A., The Message, 2010)

• DoD GPS• Representations of global space

– US military hegemony– global capitalism

“Headphones connected to the iPhone,iPhone connected to the Internet,

connected to the Google,connected to the government.”

(M.I.A., The Message, 2010)

• DoD GPS• Representations of global space

– US military hegemony– global capitalism

• FCC Enhanced 911 LBS

2001ish

European LBS: bars, food, taxis SMS FriendFinderUS LBS: AT&T Find Friends

2001ish

European LBS: bars, food, taxis SMS FriendFinderUS LBS: AT&T Find Friends

2005…Google Earth

Google Maps APIDopplr.com

Qype.comLoopt.com

Brightkite.com

2001ish

European LBS: bars, food, taxis SMS FriendFinderUS LBS: AT&T Find Friends

10 applications that make the most of location(from Biba 2009)

1 Drive fast, avoid the cops (locations of known speed traps): Trapster

2 Sleep easy, we’ll wake you (missing your stop on public transit): iNap

3 Play tag, with strangers: JOYity

4 Call a cab, the easy way (location-aware cab services): Cab4Me

5 Scan a barcode, find a deal (local deals): ShopSavy

6 See the world, through Google’s eyes: Google Earth

7 Train your phone to know its place (location-aware phone ringer settings): Locale

8 Look Up! Be a stellar student (what stars are above): GoSkyWatch

9 Dark Alley? Call for help (location-aware alarm system): SafetyNet

10 Go here when you gotta go (location-aware facility finding): SitOrSquat

2005…Google Earth

Google Maps APIDopplr.com

Qype.comLoopt.com

Brightkite.com

March 2009 SXSW foursquare Launch

March 2009 SXSW foursquare Launch

March 2009 SXSW foursquare Launch

March 2009 SXSW foursquare Launch

conspicuous mobility

check ins conspicuous consumption

check ins 6 million users (end of 2010) check ins

380 million check-ins

Dennis Crowley 2009 by Dave Pinter, Flickr

“use software to change behavior”

Dennis Crowley 2009 by Dave Pinter, Flickr

“use software to change behavior”

“by using game mechanics,people feel that they are more interesting, that they are leading more interesting lives”

Dennis Crowley 2009 by Dave Pinter, Flickr

“use software to change behavior”

“by using game mechanics,people feel that they are more interesting, that they are leading more interesting lives”

“kind of crazy, but crazy in a good and interesting way.”

the location-aware future?

the location-aware future?

LBS narrowing of spatial interaction

the location-aware future?

LBS narrowing of spatial interactionLBS allow/enable/demand/reward consumptive mobilities

the location-aware future?

LBS narrowing of spatial interactionLBS allow/enable/demand/reward consumptive mobilities

LBS incursion into everyday life (for some)

the location-aware future?

LBS narrowing of spatial interactionLBS allow/enable/demand/reward consumptive mobilities

LBS incursion into everyday life (for some)LBS privatization of mobility

the location-aware future?

LBS narrowing of spatial interactionLBS allow/enable/demand/reward consumptive mobilities

LBS incursion into everyday life (for some)LBS privatization of mobilityLBS refiguring of urban interaction

Movement 2010 by Gwen Vanhee, Flickr

“Mobile is local. ... The entire context for everything that I do is me, my person, my location.” (Agüera y Arcas 2010)

Movement 2010 by Gwen Vanhee, Flickr

“Mobile is local. ... The entire context for everything that I do is me, my person, my location.” (Agüera y Arcas 2010)

transactional imagination <> relational spatiality

Movement 2010 by Gwen Vanhee, Flickr

“Mobile is local. ... The entire context for everything that I do is me, my person, my location.” (Agüera y Arcas 2010)

transactional imagination <> relational spatiality

“You can’t hold places still. …We do not feel the disruptions of space, the coming upon difference. On the road map you won’t drive off the edge of your known world. In space as I want to imagine it, you just might.” (Massey 2005, pages 225, 111)

Persistent tensions/questionsTENSION: Document the entanglements of technology in everyday life while enrolling technologies of mobility to better understand the everyday.

Persistent tensions/questions

• What are the limitations to drawing upon these data about mobility?

• What are the possibilities for intervention in these practices, representations, and movements?

TENSION: Document the entanglements of technology in everyday life while enrolling technologies of mobility to better understand the everyday.

Google Map Marker 2010 by [ Mooi ], Flickr