GPS features, usability and Wi-Fi has already made the iPhone a favorite device for location based applications like social networking, mapping, local search, social networking etc. The Apple Store already has more than 300 such apps. And now more help is coming their way.

deCarta, the leading software supplier in the LBS industry announced that they have launched an API for deCarta Mobile, supporting the rapid development of location-enabled iPhone applications.

The deCarta Mobile is a client/server architecture provides a client API which provides a framework for mobile application developers. This enables the developers to easily implement modular fluid maps, panning, zooming, routing, geocoding, reverse geocoding and pin overlays into their applications.

This API is comprehensive enough to support the functionality needed for most location-enabled applications that are used for mobile search, routing and mobile tracking. In addition to that, deCarta Mobile for the iPhone provides full support for the iPhone’s interactive touch screen for zooming and panning.

That is good business according to a forecast released recently by the market analysis firm ABI Research which predicts that by 2013 mobile LBS will be generating a global revenue worth 13.3 billion. And it seems that the market is already picking up:

We’ve had a tremendous response to deCarta Mobile, demonstrating the strong interest in location-enabled applications,…By extending deCarta Mobile to iPhone application developers, deCarta is making it easier for that community to combine market-leading mapping technology with some of today’s most innovative mobile applications.

J. Kim Fennell, President and CEO of deCarta.

From October 31, 2008, the beta versions of deCarta Mobile will be available. For more, read here .