MapForums

Google Rates First in Tools for Location-Based Development in New Evans Data Survey

SANTA CRUZ, Calif.--April 25, 2006--Google has taken yet another first and this time in providing location based tools for developers. Evans Data's recent worldwide survey on Wireless Development reported that almost 1 on 5 software developers picked Google as a first choice for these tools. Additionally, the Evans Data Spring 2006 Wireless Development Survey also noted that a good portion of location-based websites which combine content from more than one source employ Google.

The next most commonly used location-based tool sets fell under the generic Open Source Software category, with just less than 10% of developers using them as a first choice. In a virtual tie, Yahoo, Microsoft MapPoint, and Nokia were the third most cited providers of tool sets.

"The coupling of the physical world with the data world represents a challenging new frontier," said John Andrews, Evans Data's President and COO. "These results in our survey express tremendous opportunity for those tools, with the market still fragmented and market share still up for grabs in this rapidly growing segment."

In other findings from the April 2006 survey of over 500 wireless developers:

Autodesk's suite of wireless location-based tools is the top three choice in 12% of respondents. MapQuest, affiliated with AOL, was used by 15% of all respondents.
Beyond the companies listed above, many developers use location-based information tools from a range of companies such as ESRI, MapInfo, Networks in Motion and PTV.

About Evans Data Corporation

Evans Data Corporation (www.evansdata.com) provides regularly updated IT industry market intelligence based on in-depth surveys of the global developer population. Evans' syndicated research includes surveys focused on developers in a wide variety of subjects. Evans Data has recently announced their Development Products Conference to be held June 15 and 16 in San Jose, CA (www.evansdata.com/dpc/index.php)

Copyright© 2006 Evans Data Corporation. All other company names, products and services mentioned in this document are the trademarks and property of their respective owners.

__________________