Dearth of cross-platform LBS apps
Feb 8, 2010
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Illustration from the free Skyhook report
There are only 43 cross-platform location-based service (LBS) apps among the total of more than 7,000 LBS apps available from the Apple, Android and Blackberry app stores, according to a new report from Skyhook.
 

There are currently more than 6,000 LBS iPhone apps, 900 for Android and 300 for BlackBerry.

In the free version of its February 2010 Location Aware App Report, Skyhook records that social networking and lifestyle apps make up the majority of these cross-platform LBS apps. By contrast, location-based apps that run on only one platform are dominated by travel apps, followed by social networking services and sports and fitness apps.

The Skyhook report reveals markedly different pricing for versions of the same app in different stores. One example is Wikango, which is free for iPhone users but costs $14.73 for Android and $19.99 for BlackBerry.

The iPhone has a reputation for driving the price of apps down, yet 75% of all LBS apps in the Apple store are paid apps. For BlackBerry, half of the apps are paid apps. Less than 20% of the apps for Android are paid apps.
Forthcoming LBS Conferences:

  • Location Business Summit USA (formerly MetaPlaces)

    September 14-15, 2010 - San Jose

    The Location Business Summit USA 2010 Conference and Exhibition USA is your essential guide to monetizing location based services and the key to helping you open the door to a new world of profits.

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  • Tracking and Positioning Europe

    November 17-18, 2010 - Amsterdam

    The Tracking Summit is Europe’s only meeting place for high level tracking service providers and positioning enablers. The conference will focus on profit strategies and technology challenges including indoor and ubiquitous location, privacy, power consumption, MNO location data, elevation and much more!

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  • Navigation Strategies USA

    January 25-26, 2011 - San Jose

    North America's premier meeting place for senior navigation executives is back for 6th year.  This event unites the entire ecosystem, from navigation providers, device makers, map providers and mobile carriers.  They’ll be debating the latest trends and monetisation strategies for the navigation industry.

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  • The Location Business Summit Europe

    April, 2011 - Amsterdam - days TBC

    The Location Business Summit is Europe’s largest Location Based Services conference; last year attracting 200 senior level attendees. The mobile LBS market has really started to accelerate, but companies are still searching for the winning business strategies. The Location Business Summit has been designed to overcome this challenge, and uncover the tactics to help companies generate serious profit.

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  • Location Intelligence 2011

    April, 2011 - USA - days TBC

    At this inaugural event you'll discover how to convert the hype into profitable reality.  Hear how businesses are using location data to reduce risk, make profitable decisions and expand into new markets.

  • Navigation Strategies Europe 2011

    June 14-15, 2011 - Berlin

    Following the huge success of last year's sell out show, this event is the pinnacle of the Navigation calendar.  Over 200 senior execs form across the ecosystem will convene for 2 days of intense analysis on the current landscape.