I found this article by Paul Marks while browsing New Scientist a few days ago.  IKEA is one of several store chains using the Indoor Positioning System (IPS) component of Google Maps to help their shoppers navigate.  Marks also discusses some other IPS systems:

“Nokia’s version of IPS, not yet available to consumers, aims for even greater precision. The firm litters buildings of interest with Bluetooth-based radio beacons that switch phones running mapping apps based on GPS to using Bluetooth 4.0 signals once they walk indoors. Because the beacons are at fixed sites and have a short range, they can work out your position to within 30 centimetres – enough to “bookmark” a jacket in a shop window and browse back to it later.” [Link in original]

Will this change the way people relate to, and interact with, their surroundings more than GPS and existing applications such as foursquare already have?  Tell us what you think.

Also, if you’re going to IKEA, could you pick up some meatballs for us?  Thanks.