Verizon Wireless said it would open its network to outside devices and applications. As has been widely reported, Google and others have been pushing to break through what some see as the market expansion logjam resulting from carrier policies and practices that close their networks to outsiders.

For location-based applications this is a win. The LBS applications now available on cell phones are, mostly, well, lousy compared to what one can do with the modern navigation devices or on the Internet with a Web browser. In 2008, navigation device makers can integrate Verizon’s phone service, which will vastly accelerate the convergence of mobile applications and services onto a single device. Also, developers will be able to make applications that run on the devices.

This means people will be able to do things like search a map for friend locations and call to meet them if they are nearby. It will also help businesses with mobile workforces align service needs with their employees. In combination with cameras soon to be able to geotag photos (insert a location stamp, in the same way a camera places a time stamp on photos), the possibilities are exciting. There will be opportunities for new and expanded uses of location in mobile applications well beyond what is available today – for both businesses and consumers.

While there are privacy concerns with this convergence, there is much good that will result from better integration of wireless phone services with location-based services. For example, I can foresee someone witnessing a crime, taking pictures, and submitting an emergency communication to authorities, over the wireless network, of a photo record of the crime tied to location and time. Such evidence would be invaluable in court cases.

For infrastructure, the convergence should lead to faster and more accurate reporting of outages and physical issues – potholes, for example. 2008 should be quite interesting as location becomes a more visible part of the wireless phone and digital camera technologies.