Location Based Commercial Services

Location based commercial services (LBS) are specific mobile services that depend on and are based on location information. They provide added value for mobile users through location-specific information and services, as well as through their visualization on interactive maps. LBS provide basic information regarding the location of a person or object, the persons and objects that are nearby, a depiction of the surroundings, as well as instructions about how to get from one place to another. Examples of LBS are: location-specific weather and tourist services, location based mobile games and social networks, navigation as well as location-specific advertising and mobile commerce services. They provide spatial guidance for users and help them in mastering location-specific tasks and information needs in an efficient way. This entry defines LBS, explains the technologies they are based on and classifies them. It also explains the historical evolution and factors influencing the adoption of LBS.