Qualcomm intros BREW Locate Signature Solution

SAN DIEGO-Qualcomm Inc. is joining the white-hot location-based services (LBS) bandwagon with a new assisted-GPS offering.
The chipmaker is targeting carriers with its new BREW Locate Signature Solution, a location-aware platform and hosted content delivery service that works with A-GPS enabled devices. Assisted GPS uses an assistance server to minimize the time needed to determine location, and is particularly useful in urban areas.
Location-based services have been touted as a potential cash cow for the wireless industry, but operators have only recently begun to offer affordable, GPS-enabled solutions on mass market handsets. Tier one carriers are hastily courting consumers with white-label LBS offerings that feature movable maps and turn-by-turn driving directions.
“There has been a need among wireless subscribers and operators for location-based services that are easily accessible on a device,” said Mitch Oliver, vice president of solutions and marketing for Qualcomm’s Internet business. “With (the new offering), operators can quickly deploy and monetize LBS services that provide their subscribers compelling, location-enabled applications.”