By providing location functions, data and visualization tools as a service much like SalesForce.com provides CRM services, ESRI is aiming to bring location analytics to main stream business users.
FORBES: Esri Continues Focus on Spatial Analytics for Business
That said, vendors need to address the mainstream use case of background media functions and location services for third parties to truly make their platforms valuable to users.
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But innovations in location-based and community functions might unlock the potential.
That is why Hewlett Packard and Dell have made acquisitions to take them into the business of providing turnkey services or cloud computing where they maintain your computer functions in another location and manage your data far more efficiently than you can do it for yourself.
Hewlett Packard ( HPQ - news - people ) and Dell have made acquisitions to take them into the business of providing turnkey services or cloud computing where they maintain your computer functions in another location and manage your data far more efficiently than you can do it for yourself.
But as the world becomes more hyper-local the need to incorporate location into analysis of key business functions is becoming imperative in many industries.
FORBES: Esri Continues Focus on Spatial Analytics for Business
Some job functions will always benefit from being in one location.
If you tap on this bar, you get an "info sheet" with a wealth of information and functions, including the photographic street view of the location, interior photos, reviews, hours, menus, and the ability to phone the place or share its location.
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Virgin said it did not have the rights necessary to offer it over 3G or 4G phone networks - although other functions such as setting a Tivo recording from a remote location would be possible via cellular connections.
Functions are controlled by a discreet button, which folds out into options to share music, pictures, location and state of mind.
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