Skyhook Wireless Launches Loki 2.0 - the Location-Aware Platform for the Geoweb

May 30, 2007; 03:28 AM
Skyhook Wireless, Inc., developer of the Wi-Fi Positioning System (WPS)^TM and Loki,^TM the first location-aware toolbar, announced today at the O’Reilly Where 2.0 conference Loki 2.0, the platform for delivering auto-location awareness to the geoweb. Developed using Skyhook's WPS location engine, Loki 2.0 delivers what can best be described as a big ol' bucket full of capabilities - new user controls, an updated look and feel, support for the Mac OS, a mobile version and a first-of-its-kind JavaScript API that gives any web developer the power to location-enable their content, application or service.

“Over the last 12 months we have invested time and resources working with the geoweb community – users, content providers, Web 2.0 innovators, map mash-up gurus and mobile LBS developers – to develop a new platform for location-enabling all their existing content,” said Ryan Sarver, head of product management at Skyhook Wireless. “Loki 2.0 gives them a new set of tools and capabilities that extend auto-location beyond just mobile phones to help make LBS mass adoption a reality.”

One of the key capabilities of Loki 2.0 is a JavaScript API that allows any web developer to location-enable their end user experience by just embedding a few lines of JavaScript into their HTML content. Now anyone with location-based content - brick-and-mortar store finder applications, friend finders, instant messaging platforms, online mapping services and others – can create a richer and more compelling user experience that will drive adoption and increase usage. With the Loki API, any visitor who has pro-actively and explicitly granted opt-in permission to share their location with a Loki-enabled site can automatically get directions to the nearest store, mapped locations of nearby friends, access to pictures, movies and music about their immediate area or any other location-relevant content.

“As we get ready to expand our core social mapping capabilities with a richer set of web-based user services, we looked for innovative functionality that would help us build on our reputation as a leader in this space,” said Sam Altman, CEO at loopt, developers of an innovative mobile service that answers the age-old question – where are you? “The Loki API delivers the same level of location accuracy and performance functionality on the web as most of the GPS-enabled mobile phones on the market.”

The API, supporting documentation and API key are available at no cost to developers from the Loki website – www.loki.com/developers. With just a few lines of JavaScript, even a monkey can location-enable web content in just a few minutes.

In addition to its loving support of the developer community, Loki 2.0 also delivers more for the everyday Loki user. Skyhook listened to the comments, pleas and rants of our loyal and growing user community and delivered new user functionality, to include:

• Loki for the Mac...finally. Now the hard-core and passionate Apple lovers among you can enjoy the power of a location-aware geoweb.
• Loki Mobile. Location as a key contextual variable in a user experience is most important when that user is mobile. Now users can take Loki with them on their Windows Mobile device – with broader device support on its way. (Hey, we can only do so much at one time.)
• Greater user controls and an improved UI. Now you can make Loki even more about you – users can now configure Loki with the channels they use most, hide Loki when not in use, make your favorite channels top-line buttons...a whole range of things that allow users to personalize Loki to work the way they use it.

Loki 2.0 is available at www.loki.com for free download.

About Skyhook Wireless

Founded in 2003, Skyhook Wireless has pioneered the development of the first-ever metro-area positioning system that leverages Wi-Fi rather than satellites or cell towers to deliver precise location data supporting the growing market for location-based services. The Skyhook Wi-Fi Positioning System (WPS) requires no new hardware, works indoors and outdoors, provides an instant location and is more accurate than current technologies in congested downtown areas. WPS serves over 70% of the US population and is expanding internationally. Skyhook Wireless is headquartered in Boston, MA, and is privately held. Investors include Bain Capital and Intel Capital. For more information visit www.skyhookwireless.com, send email to [email protected] or call 617-314-9802.

Loki, Skyhook Wireless and WPS are the trademarks of Skyhook Wireless, Inc. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.