Lost? Microsoft offers mobile help

Microsoft is finding customers for its mobile phone location server.

Junk remover 1-800-Got-Junk is among the first to use a specialised Microsoft server to incorporate real-time location information into maps and driving directions generated by Microsoft MapPoint Web Service, the companies have announced.

Microsoft is making the package available in the United States through mobile phone operator Sprint, which has integrated the MapPoint Location Server into its network and sells handsets with GPS (Global Positioning System) location capabilities.

The Microsoft offering lets 1-800-Got-Junk pack capabilities into mobile phones for its drivers, such as pushing a single mobile phone button to adjust a delivery route on the fly should they get lost, according to Trina Seinfeld, Microsoft MapPoint lead product manager.

The deal is a sign that the market for location-based services is starting to catch on among businesses. However, the technology has not yet caught on among the general public. While Microsoft has had some success with selling location information - it has more than 500 corporate customers generating 20 million maps and directions a day - Seinfeld conceded it has been difficult getting consumers interested.

"It's an emerging market, it's just a small percentage right now," she said.

Ben Charny writes for CNET News.com