Archived GIS Snippets
Published in 2013
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Amazing Google Earth Discoveries
You can now see satellite images of the entire planet using Google Earth. Some folks have uncovered unbelievable hidden landmarks! Watch the video for more
first published week of: 02/04/2013
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Angeles [Phillipines] eyes additional revenues with GIS
by jovi t. de leon
Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan disclosed recently that the City Government of Angeles is eyeing additional revenues using its Geographic Information System or GIS.
The GIS, he said, uses information and tracking equipment attached to a balloon to properly pinpoint land areas and usage that would result to the appropriate classification and the true real property tax due.
"We are looking at an additional P300 million to P400 million or generate about a total of P1.4 billion using the GIS. It is a system where you could actually see structures in a particular area. Kung minsan kasi, declared pa as agricultural or residential iyun eh, may nakatayo na palang commercial building or hotel," Pamintuan noted.
In 1995, he added, the real property tax valuation was only P80 per square meter, necessitating an increase recently.
"The valuation in the city now has risen, up to I think P500 per square meter on prime areas. The extra revenue will help fund the city's major projects and programs in the next three years," he said. continued…
first published week of: 11/04/2013
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Annual Geo services industry is worth $270bn: report
Enhanced navigation has been saving 1.1 billion hours of travel time, and 3.5 billion liters of gasoline per year.
According to a new report by Oxera, the Geo service industry to generates about $270bn in annual revenue.
The study, commissioned by Google, expects Geospatial technology to rise if policymakers, private companies, researchers and consumers continue to invest in this emerging industry.
Google Geo VP Brian McLendon said that Google Maps and the company's Enterprise applications have contributed to the geo services industry and making maps more widely available.
"The transformation of the maps we use everyday is driven by a growing industry that creates jobs and economic growth globally,"McLendon said.
According to the report, it is anticipated that global businesses have set aside about $17.3bn over time saved through the use of navigation technology and the technology has saved about a total of 1.1 billion hours of journey time.
first published week of: 02/04/2013
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Annual Geo services industry is worth $270bn: report
Enhanced navigation has been saving 1.1 billion hours of travel time, and 3.5 billion liters of gasoline per year.
According to a new report by Oxera, the Geo service industry to generates about $270bn in annual revenue.
The study, commissioned by Google, expects Geospatial technology to rise if policymakers, private companies, researchers and consumers continue to invest in this emerging industry.
Google Geo VP Brian McLendon said that Google Maps and the company's Enterprise applications have contributed to the geo services industry and making maps more widely available.
“The transformation of the maps we use everyday is driven by a growing industry that creates jobs and economic growth globally,” McLendon said.
According to the report, it is anticipated that global businesses have set aside about $17.3bn over time saved through the use of navigation technology and the technology has saved about a total of 1.1 billion hours of journey time.
Governments have also tapped into geo mapping technology for several services ranging from disaster responses to urban planning and enhancing mass transit systems.
first published week of: 02/11/2013
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Apple Buys Indoor Mapping Startup WifiSLAM
by samantha murphy
As a part of a larger effort to improve and grow its mapping services, Apple has acquired mobile location startup WifiSLAM.
According to the Wall Street Journal, sources familiar with the deal say the sale price was about $20 million.
The move signals another step Apple is taking to improve its Maps presence, which was widely criticized when it replaced Google's existing Maps app in September. Apple Maps earned a reputation for omitting transit directions, giving poor navigation and displaying incomplete 3D views that distort national monuments.
first published week of: 03/25/2013
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Apple files patent for a Waze-like navigation technology for its iOS maps: Report
Though Apple is reported to have missed out on buying Waze, which was eventually snapped by Google, the Cupertino-based company is still interested in the former’s mapping technology. AppleInsider reports on a US Patent Office application filed by Apple, which collates crowdsourced data to offer real-time information on the roads and traffic.
According to the patent application, the technology will accept data from cellular and GPS devices, which means that both iPhone and iPad users will be able to send data. Much like what Waze does, the technology will collate data on which roads are closed, blocked or have heavy traffic from users in real-time. This would mean that users who use Apple’s maps for navigation will get the most current traffic information. continued…
first published week of: 07/08/2013