Cool new android app

[Tim R.]

I just downloaded this app and will try it out later when back at the boat. The augmented reality is very cool. Just hold your phone camera up to the water and it will chow you ais targets, active captain and navigation buoys on the screen in relation to the image you are pointing at.

Good article on Panbo here: http://www.panbo.com/archives/2012/08/class_e_ais_will_it_be_huge.html

It uses the cell network so don't count on AIS off shore.

Check it out; http://smartchart-ais.com/index.html

 

[Delezynski]

Now add "Google Glass" and we are like fighter jet pilots!

Just read about the product this AM. Sounds very interesting.

Greg

 

[gettinthere]

Again, it's sponsored by the US govt DHS and they require you to register you and your boat.

The reg will not open for my android so I don't know how much info they want.

 

[Tim R.]

The registration did not work on my phone either so I registered on their website. They ask for all the same info that is available from the USCG documentation DB/state registration DB and FCC if you have DSC/SSB license.

 

[brazenarticle]

Again, it's sponsored by the US govt DHS and they require you to register you and your boat.

Please elaborate.
It appears to be a private company using AIS data. Hiding your AIS data would kind of defeat the purpose of AIS, wouldn't it?

I'm not advocating for or against and have little interest in volunteering information to yet another private corporate database, but I don't see the fingerprints of "big government" here.

 

[Tim R.]

From their website:

Smart Chart AIS is a product of Technology Systems, Inc. and is provided free of charge to enhance the safety and security of our waterways. The Smart Chart AIS concept was developed when TSI responded to a Department of Homeland Security request for ways to improve waterway safety and security. We looked at the boating community and realized that most boaters own smart phones, and that these could be used to provide tracking similar to AIS. From this initial idea the Smart Chart AIS concept was developed, wherein we provide lots of great resources free of charge, in exchange for users participating in this new form of AIS. Our intent is to eventually place the Smart Chart AIS protocols in the public domain, and to enable all manufacturers, boaters, and other maritime interests to be better informed about what's around them, resulting in enhanced safety for all.

Smart Chart AIS's development has been supported by the US Department of Homeland Security under the Small Business Innovation and Research Program, Contract #D12PC00364

 

[brazenarticle]

From their website Smart Chart AIS's development has been supported by the US Department of Homeland Security under the Small Business Innovation and Research Program, Contract #D12PC00364

Well, guess there are fingerprints - thanks for elaborating. When I tried the website it seemed to require registration to get more information and the disclosure was not readily apparent on a cursory look.

 

[caguy]

I have a separate email that I use just for such occassions. It is loaded with spam but since it is not the one that I normally use I don't care.

 

[Nom De Guerre]

I have a separate email that I use just for such occassions. It is loaded with spam but since it is not the one that I normally use I don't care.

I don't think it'll matter once the app is on your phone with full access to who knows what, including whatever accounts you are accessing from the phone...

...foreign national? You're fair game for complete and unabashed data collection/monitoring.

 

[kpgraci]

I don't know how good or bad (as in useful, accurate, viable) this is but the concept is brilliant. I never thought to apply it to boats, but I always thought if each car on the road reported it's position you could get real time info on traffic jams, etc. I also realized that 99% of people would not want their position reported publicly, or even privately for that matter - but on the water - see and be seen is a good thing. Technology is getter both fun and scary at the same time.

 

[gettinthere]

For those who use nuti charts, the android smartphone version of act cap, look at the 'permissions' you granted to the author. Access to just about everything in your phone.

 

[All U Get]

Well "Beam me up Scotty" that is neat. Tim you always find the cool stuff.

All U Get

 

[shemandr]

I just downloaded it and installed it on my android. I didn't work the first time but now I can open it. The info I put on it in registration is all in the phone book, except my boat name and registration which the gov'mint already knows. You do not have to fill in all fields on the boat registration. As for location, I am at my desk in my office so that may confuse them a bit.
I'm not sure how useful this will be but Active Captain was enthusiastic about it so I though I'd give it a try. My initial impression is that it will be too crowded on screen to be really useful.