TORONTO-Canadian carrier Bell Mobility announced it will begin offering basic location-based services through its new MyFinder application and that it plans to expand the service with additional features.
The service will first be available to users in Quebec and Ontario, and Bell Mobility said it will expand the service into Western Canada in the first quarter of next year. Using MyFinder, subscribers will be able to find friends or look up information on nearby restaurants, gas stations, hotels, hospitals, banks and theaters. The opt-in service uses cellular transmission tower information to locate users’ general areas, and will cost 25 cents for each use.
“Whether it’s text messaging, wireless games, e-mail or even LBS, today’s wireless customer wants to be able to use their mobile device for more than just making and receiving voice calls,” said Kelly Dixon, vice president of marketing for Bell Mobility.
AT&T Wireless Services Inc. offers a similar service for finding friends.
Separately, location services company Kivera launched the newest version of its Kivera Location Engine, which the company said includes features such as enhanced application development functionality, extended graphics support for a variety of wireless devices and full dynamic information delivery capabilities.
