EGNOS, the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS), Europe`s first attempt into satellite navigation, is making public its Software Development Kit "that implements all EGNOS corrections and provides integrity", according to the EGNOS portal. This means that all those who want to use the accuracy of the EGNOS satellite-based augmentation system to build location based apps, can freely do so. The SDK is usable on iPhone, Android and Blackberry handsets.
EGNOS is jointly governed by the European Space Agency (ESA), the European Commission (EC) and Eurocontrol, the European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation and its main function is to bring more accuracy to the GPS system such as when navigating ships through narrow channels.
Another interesting fact about EGNOS is that its accuracy and reliability can be a good base for other applications such as our beloved Location Based Services for which EGNOS brings a precision to within three meters in comparison with GPS`s 17 meters, whether in cars, personal navigation devices or mobile phones.
A couple of things transpire as a result: at an institutional level, Europe is beginning to open up to the idea of ... open source and open gardens in response the current trends in the marketplace. Second, by opening up such precise technology, and encouraging developers to add value and make it more user friendly, it increases the pace of innovation of mobile services and offerings. The future looks bright, we just have to get there first.
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