An app development company with offices in Portland has launched a location-based indoor GPS app for iPhone users (Android coming soon). In the first batch of targeted locations: Powell’s Books. With the flagship Burnside store known as the “City of Books,” it’s fitting that Powell’s be at the front of the line for a new indoor GPS, but what can the app really do? The developer, Spotlight Mobile, says the Powell’s Meridian App lists the current event schedule. Nice, but we could go online for that info. Favorites, features, staff picks. Again, nice to have them collected, but not groundbreaking. Advanced search and in-store availability? Good to know it’s there when you want to walk out with it. But here’s the real kicker: the reason guys like the Meridian team went to Cornell: “Turn-by-turn directions to in-store books, rooms and facilities.” Like Pac-Man following a tasty ghost, customers can follow the blue arrow through the maze, right to the shelf, right to the book. Chomp.
Reading Local: Portland has some opinions and questions about the new app, as well as a few screen shots.