SocialRadar Launches LocationKit - the First Replacement for iOS and Android Location Services

WASHINGTON, May 12, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- SocialRadar announced today the beta release of the LocationKit – an advanced location manager that provides app developers an improved replacement for the iPhone iOS and Google core location services. By using LocationKit, developers gain access to higher accuracy location, lower battery drain, automatic venue recognition, and detailed reporting and location analytics. LocationKit is offered as a free SDK to developers looking to add enhanced location capabilities to their mobile applications. 

The combination of accurate location and robust local data provides app developers the context they need to create more personalized in-app experiences. The SocialRadar LocationKit (beta) offers:

- Higher Accuracy Location
Typical location accuracy can be as low as 10 meters or even 100 meters. LocationKit uses several methods to improve upon the standard latitude and longitude data resulting in location results that can be accurate up to 2 meters. LocationKit does this by applying a proprietary algorithm to correct device position data by analyzing general signal distortion, device movement, indoor detection patterns, and then further corrects position data to fit the most accurate available representation of the Earth's curvature at any latitude.

- Lower Battery Drain
Currently, developers who want to make use of location technology have two choices: use the significant distance method, which is inherently subpar because it only updates a location when you change cell phone towers – or use always-on-technology, running the GPS constantly which drains device battery at a rate of 8%-14% per hour. Now developers using LocationKit can receive highly accurate location for their users consistently at less then 1% battery drain per hour.

- Automatic Venue Recognition
LocationKit combines the most accurate places database in the US with leading event databases and contains over 130 million addresses.  Instead of relying just on a single point representing an address, the LocationKit places and events database has geo-encoded parcel and building outlines to decode a user's exact location. Combining this data with events provides developers with powerful insights - not only where users are but also what events users are attending.  Place information can be provided passively and automatically as a device enters a place, or is available on-demand. Real-time venue recognition enables app developers to easily personalize the user app experience with local and social context.

- Reporting & Location Analytics
For the first time, app developers will be able to access detailed analytics of the location information collected by their applications. Through reporting they'll learn the type of venues users frequent, and gain insights about users' preferences.

"You have always been able to replace built-in apps such as the calendar app or contacts app with 3^rd party mobile apps – we have developed the very first replacement for the Apple iOS and Google core location services," said Michael Chasen, chief executive officer and founder of SocialRadar. "Developers can use our toolset instead of the built-in location manager service to access an array of enhanced location features and reporting for their mobile applications."

With LocationKit developers will be able to build location or event-based apps that automatically and accurately know when users enter a specific venue, empowering them to personalize user experiences based on real-time location activities. Whether it is to make recommendations based on a specific location, arrange meet-ups based on where users are or allow individuals in the same place to quickly communicate with the people nearby – LocationKit makes it easy to include advanced location services directly within a mobile application. 

Developers interested in downloading the SocialRadar LocationKit SDK can sign up for free at www.socialradar.com/locationkit.

About SocialRadar
SocialRadar® is building technology that gives you real-time information and location insights on the people and places around you. SocialRadar's LocationKit enables developers to dramatically improve location inside of their mobile applications through a free SDK. Consumers around the world can download the SocialRadar mobile application to show them who's nearby and know how they're connected.

SocialRadar is a venture-backed startup headquartered in Washington, DC founded by Michael Chasen, former co-founder and CEO of Blackboard, an e-learning software company he sold for almost $2 billion. The company secured its Series A funding for $12.75 million in 2013 and was led by New Enterprise Associates (NEA), Grotech Ventures, and SWaN & Legend Ventures with participation by Steve Case, Ted Leonsis, Dave Morin, Kevin Colleran and other tech leaders.

For more information, please visit www.socialradar.com or connect with us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/socialradar or on Twitter @socialradar.

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