Then consider that APRS has had global text- messaging (and email) via the keypad of the D7 and D700 radios for over 10 years now...
... the weakness of APRS is the lack of manufacturers...
More coming... D7, D700, D710, now Yeasu VX-8R and some DSTAR GPS TX support...
... I would need integrated APRS support, D-STAR/D-PRS capability (so I can do both in the one radio),
I sure hope we can work this out. The DSTAR radio has a display and D-PRS has defined the translations between DSTAR and APRS... So it is all in work...
Satellite APRS is certainly something that's quite useful... for camping... in remote areas to keep in touch. APRS didn't gain that "WOW" factor in the same time, it was always seen as a useful niche application...
Because too many people only see it as a vehicle tracking system (TX-ing GPS data) instead of the original intent (Receiving and displaying all surrounding local information to the mobile operator)... Think "tiny-web-pages" on the front panel of the radio showing satellites in view(now), freqs, doppler, local voice freq, local Echolink freq, local IRLP freq, club meetings, net times. A veritable resource of everything a traveler would need to know when he entered an area...
Also, lack of inbuilt GPS or wireless GPS
In most APRS applications, and especially in satellite operations, few people need a GPS unless they are lost or cannot read a map. No one cares exactly where most people are, just approximately, and that is why APRS provides for 1, 10 and 60 mile ambiguity. For satellite use, just set your 10 mile position, so people can see what city and gridsquare you are in, and don't bother with the GPS..
For home use...
APRS is more of an information resource display system for the mobile operator. Not much needed in the shack in competition with the WWW. Its value is in the display to the mobile operator of everything going on around him in HAM radio. Though this does need home stations and active stations that are actually doing something, to post those real time objects, events, and bulletins on APRS for others...
I can only run HTs and networked applications (e.g. VoIP, local I-Gate) that don't require physical presence in the shack...
Which is why APRS as an info display system in the mobile is so valuable... Its where we spend a lot of our time with not much else to do but sit in traffic... Now when I drive into a new area, the APRS radio displays the locally recommended voice frequency/tone there and this alone makes ham radio so much more useful when traveling...
Bob, WB4APR