Cool Google GPX location app

[Tim R.]

I have been playing with Google Latitude on my cell phone. It allows you to track from the internet and the igoogle website any cell phone that has the Google Maps Latitude application running on it. It can use either a built in GPS or cell phone triangulation. Don't worry about security as the only people that can see you are the ones you give permission to. I can see using it to show friends and family where you are during your cruises.

I have been testing it with a Samsung Blackjack II that runs Windows Mobile 6.1 and has an unlimited data account.

You can also enable the history to keep track of past locations. Export to a kml to use in Google Earth is also available.

This is not a navigation tool but I liken it to a primitive SPOT device. The best part is that it is free if you already have the proper device and data service.

 

[Capt. Kermie]

Google What?

I have a Samsung Omnia with Windows 6.1 and 'Google Maps' along with 'Google Mobile App' but I have not heard of 'Google Maps Lattitude' or 'igoogle website' as you mention but I do have 'Active Captain' which is very cool. Can you explain what those other two are, how I would aquire them and how do you use them please.

 

[Tim R.]

Google Latitude is integrated in google maps mobile. You will need to replace what you have on your phone with this version. More info can be found here:

http://www.google.com/latitude/intr...gh0sla&utm_medium=ha&utm_term=google latitude

Igoogle is the personalized google page where you can track phones that have latitude running on them.

You need to have a free google account to do this.

 

[Roger Long]

I can see using it to show friends and family where you are during your cruises.

Just be sure to tell them not to panic when they see you disappear into the first black hole just past Cow Island.

From what I've seen of cell phone coverage on the coast, this is going to be of limited value in Maine until they build a lot more towers.

 

[Tim R.]

Roger, it uses the GPS in cell phones that have them so it can keep track of where you are. The downside is that it needs the 3G data connection to update the location to the Google Mothership.

It does not keep a track but it can show where you are when you pull into port if you have coverage.

Here is my drive from Bar Harbor to my home today. As you can see, there are a few dead zones around Belfast and Ellsworth. The GPS on my phone kept the track fine but it did not update it to the web. Maybe in a future release it can upload historical tracks once it gets cell reception again.

You can also manually set your position if you want to appear somewhere other than where you are. Hmmm, that could be usefull

 

[Mike G.]

Don't tell my boss

Does this mean that my boss can track where I am? I already have enough reporting on my activities and don't need him tracking daily locations!

 

[Roger Long]

The downside is that it needs the 3G data connection to update the location to the Google Mothership.

That's what I meant, those updates. A friend of mine had a big Coast Guard SAR search instituted for him over the Bahamas because a friend of his saw his SPOT beacon track cease and called the Coast Guard. Skip had simply forgotten to reset it. If you are using any kind of tracking, you shouldn't give anyone access to the site without explicit instructions about not calling the Coast Guard just because there is an interruption in the track. Coast Guard is probably a lot more savvy about these tracking devices now than when this happened but tracking interruptions can still cause a lot of individual worry. Even though I had explained all this, my SO forgot and had a major fret when I didn't reset my beacon on an overnight last fall.

My tracking link now takes people to this page first:

http://www.rogerlongboats.com/SPOTbeacon.htm

I've noticed that I can often get text messages in and out in cell phone areas too marginal to make a call connection or maintain voice. This may work better than my coastal cell coverage experience indicates.