Alan Cameron: How will the outbreak of map-based navigation and location-based services change the way we use mobile terminals‾
Jari Syrjarinne: Mapping and LBS form one of the cornerstones of Nokia's internet services strategy. I see that location and context information is a key component of our future internet services including search and navigation, photos and videos as well as presence and communities. Our vision is that location information helps to build the next phase in Web 2.0 (or whatever you want to call the next phase) with context-sensitive services.
Is accuracy as important to LBS as availability‾
High-accuracy (centimeter/decimeter-level) positioning opens the door to many new and interesting applications and games and offers the best possible location experience. Accuracy and availability are equally important in the attempt to exceed customer expectations.
What can you tell us about your work at Nokia in harnessing carrier-phase positioning, new satellite constellations, and hybrid use with non-GNSS technologies‾
GNSS and assisted GNSS (A-GNSS) will be the backbone of global location technologies. GNSS and A-GNSS provide a unique opportunity to evolve handset location technology. Nokia considers GNSS as a whole with the aim of ensuring a seamless user experience, that is, not taking GNSS as individual, different satellite systems (AGPS, A-GLONASS, A-Galileo, and so on). This very same approach has also been visible in the A-GNSS standardization where Nokia together with a large number of GNSS industrial players (SiRF, Broadcom [GlobalLocate], Motorola, Alcatel-Lucent, Nokia Siemens Networks) have been able to introduce a generic A-GNSS solution that is ready for the future satellite systems.
Regional systems also play an important part in the GNSS/A-GNSS game, especially in Asia and Pacific regions (GAGAN, MSAS, QZSS). These are considered as an essential part of GNSS and A-GNSS.
Implementation of complementing location technologies is the key to ensuring universal coverage. Wireless local area network (WLAN) location is a very promising technology to provide location inside buildings and support in urban canyon environments. Motion sensors can give additional direction/movement information when GNSS is not available, and they also offer new power-saving opportunities. Hybrid positioning with non-GNSS technologies will be important to offer good location experience everywhere.
How are you addressing "the toughest equation" of delivering positioning performance while reducing cost and power consumption at every step‾
GNSS receiver power consumption, size and cost need to be at the levels that make them feasible for handset integration.