|
Frankly, how many of us actually use personal navigation devices (PNDs) to find our way around? Perhaps, a handful of technology-crazy users and yet companies continue to put their faith (and money!) on global positioning systems (GPS), maps and services around GPS. The numbers tell a positive story. We are soon going to be a 400 million strong mobile phone market, of which smartphones (with GPS features) would be roughly 15-20 per cent. We have over 1.8-2 million still/digital cameras. IDC numbers tell us that the total installed base of PCs in India has surged past the 36 million units mark, and now India has one personal computer for every 30 people.
So, India is an ideal market to consume GPS technology, or so was pointed out to me during a recent interview with Navteq. The Chicago-based digital map provider was acquired by Nokia for $8.1 billion in late 2007. And although shipments of mobile navigation solutions in the country continue to remain insignificant by all means – Canalys estimates fewer than 40,000 GPS enabled units were shipped in country 2 years back– Navteq upholds its belief that “the market is poised for tremendous growth.”
As per a research from IMS, the GPS market will be one of the few areas of growth in 2009. Really! This conclusion was drawn in spite of the poor outlook for many semiconductor manufacturers and the fact that share prices have taken a severe hit. But they do have a better reasoning for this growth. According to IMS analyst Tom Arran, “2008 was the breakout year for GPS in mobile phones.” Now, GPS will infiltrate to vertical markets like cameras, laptops, ultra mobile PCs (think netbooks) and even sporting equipment. This will help to drive shipment growth of over 25 per cent year over year.” Things begin to fall into place for Indian consumers too.
Statistically, by 2010, 40 per cent of India’s estimated 1.2 billion population would be aged between 20 and 44. This is a VERY large, young population that is both tech savvy and tech hungry. Compounded by the fact that salaries in India are rising and the middle class with disposable income represents nearly 20 per cent of the crowd.
We do have a fantastic recipe for significant market development. But I come back to the same point –will we really rely on GPS and satellites to find way or nearest restaurants or rather call our friends and ask for help/recommendations. The in-car navigation system hasn’t even caught the fancy of most automotive companies, who are busy marketing a cheap, cheaper, cheapest car. The personal navigation systems from SatNav and MapMyIndia have survived but aren’t a mass market device yet. Smartphones come with GPS and free maps but bad a GPRS connection can mar the ability to pilot maps, while on the go.
In the camera market, geo-tagging is set to be the next big trend, we understand. Already, online communities are hosting more than 2 million photos which have been geo-tagged. As for the gaming market, following the success generated by applying sensor technology to the Wii console from Nintendo, some of the latest innovations in the gaming market revolve around location and exercise. This is already evident with GO!Explore on the Sony Playstation Portable. Sony and Nintendo are strongly rumoured to be developing location aware gaming for next generation products, suggest IMS analysts.
Yes, there is so much more that a GPS technology can deliver, but is the average consumer really looking forward to it? The jury is still out on that…
| 
Loading ...
July 14th, 2009 at 4:09 pm
Geez! I use G Maps on my Nokia E71 all the time to find my way around and to check whether the cabby is trying to swindle me or not….
June 3rd, 2009 at 1:30 pm
I doubts that GPS will become mass device like Mobile phone or come even anywhere near to is, becoz of the reasons state above by some the guys. Like change in street name due to change in govt in state and central. At first place there is no street/road name for many roads in residential areas.
Other important factor is related to our Society and way of leaving and 1.2 billion population and population density. Here in india, you find a fried on street any where in city or on highways who will help you reach your destination and would also give you additional info about the road condition and diversions, all these for free and they don’t expect Thank you in return.
While the scenario in US and other foreign country is quite different.
June 2nd, 2009 at 11:40 am
Kalyan: TomTom’s are great devices but using them in a disciplined (infrastructure wise) city like London is way different than using them on Indian roads where a ‘One Way’ sign is put out according to traffic cop’s convenience or mood perhaps!
Rahul: I agree
June 1st, 2009 at 4:30 pm
Known as Tom Toms, these small devices are an essential part of a car and are quite popular in London. They are not very expensive either.
May 28th, 2009 at 9:49 pm
I don’t think that GPS is that very necessary as Indian cities are hapazardly created. We do not even have proper city maps, so how can we believe that these sat navs will deliver accurate information?
Rahul
Indian Car Advisor (Carazoo.com)
May 28th, 2009 at 7:04 am
You did not mention 3G… yes, it’s true that what is presently offered by the mtnl and bsnl (due in july i presume) is pathetic…but wait for the others to join in…not only will the speed be teriffic, but i believe operators will also come out with more economical packages (presently the gprs rates are too expensive for individual customers, esp. if u want to use it for streaming videos/movies/radio, gprs, etc.)
May 28th, 2009 at 1:12 am
Indian Politicians having fancy of changing name of road, street, airport as and when their is change of government in center will make gps fail to work