The m-LOMA application is one of the first full-featured mobile 3D maps. In comparison to 2D maps, 3D maps offer recognizability via a more realistic representation. m-LOMA, mobile LOcation-aware Messaging Application, delivers a real urban virtual environment to mobile users, with optimized wireless networking and efficient rendering. It allows entire cities to be rendered in real-time in mobile devices, even those lacking 3D hardware. It supports both vector and raster 2D maps, and navigation features such as GPS and routing. It also acts as a platform for location-dependent information. Users can annotate the 3D world with their messages, and even track their GPS enabled buddies. The environment can also be annotated by service providers, which can be queried directly from the 3D view via the associated logos, or via textual searches. In addition, any annotation attached to a building is linked to the entire building, the location is not just an XYZ position. These annotations act also as bulletinboards, where users can discuss, or evaluate the services. The application runs on many different devices including mobile phones (Symbian S60v2 and S60v3, such as Nokia 6630 and N93, respectively), PDA's and personal computers (Linux, Windows, MacOS X, unices).

The m-LOMA project, 1.1.2004-31.12.2005, was mainly funded by the EU InterregIIIA. Please see also our partners. 3D user interface virtual environment