Just read about new Swiss start up company uepaa who are developing a software app to allow smart phone users to locate each other using GPS and WiFi signals when they're out and about in areas which may not have cell phone coverage.

The Tages Anzeiger had a good article on this company and the three guys who thought of this truly brilliant idea. As you're out and about in the great outdoors, your smart phone would communicate with other smart phones in the vicinity and if one of the phones stopped moving for a while, the user would be prompted to check in that they're OK or an alert could be sent to those nearby. This would offset the need for the independent avalanche receivers/transmitters, which from my own knowledge, people simply aren't willing to spend CHF 500 on, however life saving they are.

Rega are backing this project which is slated for release in 2013. For all skiers, snowboarders, snow-shoers, Nordic fans and everyone else leading an active life outdoors at any time of the year, this development is to be welcomed.

Good idea. Yes.
But, there can be unforeseen consequences.

Do you have a wife or a girlfriend / husband or a boyfriend ?
I hope you see where I am going with this.

Like an assassin might find you
where ever you are.
On the slopes, in the mountains,
at your house or in a bar.

I see it as a general tool to be used to find someone when they are out hiking etc. but it will not replace an ARVA transmitter/receiver for backcountry skiing as it is not precise enough to locate someone who is buried.

interesting concept... I've not read the link but I would imagine it's going to need a deal of fine tuning.

I downloaded what was purported to be a similar app ( my144.ch ) some time ago. It was designed to be used to locate the person in event of accident or emergency but in my tests* of the system it never got closer than 200-300 meters to my actual location. n.b. they I believe use only GPS tech. tho.


(* tests of the system = me activating the app. and then going to the tracker web site )

Having a GPS transponder (or transmitter/receiver like Verbier) activated in case of an emergency is one thing.
But putting technology like this onto a consumer device which is used by almost everyone opens too many doors for electronic spying.

As Gandalf said :

"I would take this ring with a desire to do good.
But through me, it will yeild a power too great and terrible to imagine."

Quite so. Although Rega might support it, just as they do the Recco chips, it's only as a more widely-available rescue aid, which may help them do their job; but remember that their job also involves picking up dead bodies...

I dnot mean to hijack the thread, but Im in the market for a transceiver if anyone has one?!

Wanted: Avalanche Transceiver

PM me if you have anything.

Cheers.

"Dear EF:

Please help. Last night I was spying on my lover using the GPS tracker in his smart phone. And even though we've never agreed to go steady, I worry that he's cheating on me, as several times throughout the night, between the hours of 10:00pm and 7:00am, he stopped in the red light district, at the gay sauna, and the adult bookstore. I think he might be doing drugs. Last week I even got a letter in the mail addressed to him from the Gemeinde. When I opened it, it was a speeding ticket AND a ticket for running a red light. Surely if he's breaking traffic laws he must be cheating on me. Does anyone know if there is a way to turn on his cell phone camera remotely through the GPS tracker so that I can see what he's really up to?

Thanks!"