While first generation LBS services have largely been commoditized or shifted to advertising models, the imminent arrival of indoor location, BLE tags, and wearables will enable next generation services around ambient intelligence and consumer asset tracking, according to ABI Research (www.abiresearch.com). In the latest edition of the company’s quarterly market data, "Location Enabled Services", these new markets are forecast by each major region.

"While these are very different markets, the common denominator is the availability of these new technologies and devices," says senior analyst Patrick Connolly. "Ambient intelligence, or the quantified self, is the first service that will truly change how people live their lives, while also enabling intuitive advertising and services. Local search will be unrecognizable from today’s model, as intelligent algorithms tell users what is of interest nearby, based on location, time of day and previous patterns."

ABI Research has forecast that over one billion Ambient Intelligence services will be downloaded by 2019.

"We expect to see an explosion of low cost BLE personal asset tracking tags coming to market in 2014," says Dominique Bonte, ABI Research vice president and practice director. "In 2019, over 25 million personal tracking applications will be downloaded, with much higher tag shipments. To illustrate the point, luggage companies are already in advanced discussions to integrate BLE."