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Many tech companies, such as Google and Microsoft, have been working on indoor location-tagging technologies.
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Late Saturday evening, the Wall Street Journal reported that Apple had picked off WifiSLAM, an indoor location company.
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The alliance said the companies would introduce new indoor location services this year.
WSJ: Apple Buys Indoor GPS Specialist
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And the business models around indoor location services remain nascent.
WSJ: Apple Buys Indoor GPS Specialist
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With indoor location, users can get turn-by-turn directions inside buildings, just as they would outdoor with GPS. While retailers can target consumers as they get closer to their shops, sending promotions and coupons directly to their smartphone.
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The first Pins will open on May 29th, with the Pin 5 (a 5-by-5 meter indoor location) making temporary appearances at Spitalfields Market, Westfield and White City, while the 7-by-7 outdoor version (Pin 7) will pop up in the Olympic Park along with Hyde Park at a later date this year.
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The brand also offers Arf, a dog-friendly programme, and Splash, an indoor or outdoor pool depending on the location.
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Sony, Samsung, Nokia and others formed the In-Location Alliance last fall to advance indoor mapping.
CNN: The growing push to track your location indoors
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Indoor tracking systems which process data from one or more sources of location information to estimate where a person or object is located are not new.
ENGADGET: Cambridge Consultants develops indoor tech to pick up where GPS drops off
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The problem with the indoor maps is that, whether Google has permission to track your location or not, users will essentially hand over that permission every time they look at a map.
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