Batch Geonews: Predictions, Near Real-Time Imagery of Earth, Location Privacy, LiDAR Formats, and much more

The first batch geonews edition!

On the open source / open data front:

  • An informative update on the OGR OpenFileGDB driver to read Esri's file geodatabase format
  • Plugin to display QGIS 2D maps in 3D in a web browser via three.js
  • Interesting predictions and trends, Juan Marin’s Predictions for and Paul Ramsey’s Predictions for and MapBrief Geo Predictions
  • We never mentioned the open source data portal software before, but it supports geospatial data pretty well
  • Via OR, MapGive — U.S. State Dept launches OpenStreetMap contributing tool “to help humanitarian efforts”, and the State of the Map will be held in Buenos Aires
  • Some software updates, MapGuide Maestro 5.1, Geopaparazzi 3.9.0 is out, SAGA 2.1.1 released, Mapbox.js v1.6.0
  • Using open source software to answer Will the sun shine on us?
  • Talking of the sun, News from Marble: Introducing Sun and the Moon and Planets

On the Google front:

  • Really worth taking a look to Climate Viewer 3D: The Google Earth Climate Change, Pollution and Privacy Viewer
  • A new book, Google Maps JavaScript API CookBook
  • Viewing the Topography of the Thermohaline Circulation of the Oceans in Google Earth
  • There's New 3D imagery in Tokyo and other Japanese cities
  • From Slashdot. Google Removes "Search Nearby" Function From Updated Google Maps
  • Why not, Creating artwork based on Street View
  • If genealogy is within your interests, Genealogy through Google Earth

On the Apple front:

  • Description of an Apple Maps App with Interactive Data Layers Detailed in New Patent
  • Will this concept catch up? Apple's iBeacon Technology Brings New Possibilities for Location-Based Gaming
  • Nokia's HERE not popular enough? Nokia Pulls 'HERE' Maps App for iOS, Citing iOS 7 Changes That 'Harm the User Experience'

Discussed over Slashdot:

  • Yes, this is coming, Swarms of Small Satellites Set To Deliver Close To Real-Time Imagery of Earth another related entry is named Planet Labs to capture near-continuous whole-Earth imagery from 28 five kilogram satellites
  • If you're a regular Slashgeo reader, you know this already, Why the World Needs OpenStreetMap, and it's time to migrate 'en masse' according to The Guardian
  • On privacy, It's Not Just the NSA: Police Are Tracking Your Car
  • But you know what? Carmakers Keep Data On Drivers' Locations From Navigation Systems
  • And here's a confirmation, Ford Exec: 'We Know Everyone Who Breaks the Law' Thanks To Our GPS In Your Car
  • But there's always hope? Recent Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Settlement Will Make It Harder to Collect and Share Geoinformation In US
  • First step before commercial drones, Feds Announce Test Sites For Drone Aircraft
  • For fun, CES: Building Self-Guiding Lego Robots for Fun and (Maybe) Profit (Video)
  • There are still wonders to discover, thanks to geo, Lasers Unearth Lost 'Agropolis' of New England
  • Tracking bees, Scientists Glue Sensors To 5,000 Bees In a Bid To Better Understand Them

In the everything else category:

  • A geodesy dream? Affordable Arduino-Compatible Centimeter-Level GPS Accuracy
  • Using LIDAR data? Read Format Wars Episode V: LIDAR, why? Esri Launches its Own Propriety Compressed LiDAR Format: .zlas
  • An article on Spike, creating 3D models of buildings and things with a smartphone, not the first app of that kind but that one comes from a GIS company
  • Free map online course from Coursera to begin in April
  • You already know what IFTTT recipes are? Here's you'll learn about geoenabling triggers with geofences and more
  • Here's about SenseFly, a drone for taking oblique imagery
  • A generic entry on the Cocktail of Technologies for Smart Cities: The role of Geospatial Tech
  • Wired on Tracking the Secret Lives of Great White Sharks
  • Let's talk about our privacy again, DARPA’s 1.8 gigapixel ARGUS-IS: The Ultimate Surveillance System from above?, that's 1.8 gigapixels and 12 frames/second, 24/7
  • On the SPOT remote sensing satellite family, up to SPOT 7, The new SPOTs
  • On 3D printing, yup, really mainstream now, Adobe Adds 3D Printer Support To Photoshop and here's about the open source ' slic3r ' — converts a digital 3D model into printing instructions for your 3D printer (via OR)

In the maps category:

  • On mapmaking, The Hidden Meanings of Maps: Design and Colors
  • Beautiful, A woodcut inspired map for city streets
  • Jonathan provides a book Review: A History of the World in Twelve Maps
  • And here's A look at twelve maps that changed the world
  • Don't we all like beautiful maps? Wired shares The Most Amazing, Beautiful and Viral Maps of Year
  • Here's a map you have to see, would you believe how big is Africa? Mercator projections are messing with our perception of the world

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