August 3, 2006
geotagging photos is officially over
Now that Sony has come out with a GPS tracklogger aimed specifically at geotagging your photos so you can see them on a map (engadget, gizmodo, GPS Review, it's time to declare that whole thing Officially Over. That is to say, geotagged photos are now heading well into the trough of disillusionment, Gartner-style.
Why? Because photos-stuck-onto-maps are a cute novelty but not much more. It's not a very good way to browse pictures, nor is it a good storytelling interface IMHO. It does make a very seductive demo though, which is why so many geeks (me included) have gone down that path in the last several years.
Don't misunderstand me -- I think location systems and metadata for photos (and most other media and onjects) are going to be exceptionally useful and will enable a cornucopia of fun toys and valuable services. I just don't think we have figured those out yet, and the new Sony gizmo isn't going to break any new ground in this respect.
Posted by Gene at August 3, 2006 8:19 AM | TrackBackLike many other technologies, geotagging photos works exceptionally well for some and is nothing more than a novelty for others. To dismiss it completely as a technology because it falls into the novelty category for you and because "we haven't figured it out yet" is exceptionally arrogant and close-minded.
Posted by: Craig at August 7, 2006 1:03 PMHey Craig, I get that you don't like my snarky opinion and that's o-tay, but you shouldn't come into a stranger's house and call them names. Regardless, I'd be interested to know about examples where it works "exceptionally well" for people, since I obviously don't know of them and I'd like to learn more.
Posted by: gene at August 7, 2006 1:32 PM
