InstaMapper
Device Map
Overview
InstaMapper is a mapping service using a mobile phone and Google Maps. The “GPS Tracker” app is free from the App store in iTunes. The tracker can cache sends data at 5 seconds or more intervals and has the ability to cache them should your cell coverage be lost.
iPhone App
GPS Tracker
You have to sign up to InstaMapper and you can manage your devices form there. The App supports RIM, Palm officially and iPhone but it’s a Java application. Once registered you have to add the devices . You can give it a label and it will return a key which needs to be entered into the application. It would have been easier to do if the iPhone had copy and paste but instead I had to write down the key, exit Safari and start the GPS tracker.
The tracker takes a long time to acquire a GPS signal. Google maps could locate me instantly whereas the GPS Tracker took at least a minute before it got a GPS lock. It would take longer to get an accurate lock which affects your position and speed.
The screen displays raw data like heading, speed, accuracy and when it last sent data points to InstaMapper.
The biggest problem with the application is that it has to run in the foreground active. This means full screen brightness (or at least the brightness you set it) for it to track. If it goes out of focus i.e the screen dims or if it locks then it will stop tracking. I wish Apple would hurry up with their push update! They claim it lasts 5.5 hours with it on but I have yet to try it.
Viewing Data
You can access the map data by logging into InstaMapper‘s website or where ever you have embedded it. As you can see from the map I have posted at the top it’s not perfect. If the tracker misses a point it just draws a straight line to the next point. Whilst this is understandable they could improve on it by intelligent guessing like my TomTom 700 does or at least alert you that it has lost satelite lock on the device.
Export / Sharing
Export Options
You are able to export the data to KML or CSV file format. KML is used for Google Earth is an accepted standard for storing geographical data. You are able to send an email or embed the Google map with the plot of your GPS co-ordinates. This is great but I would be careful with who you share it as it can pin point places you stopped at e.g at your house.
Summary
It is a really nice feature and uses the Google Maps API really well. It’s a shame that it can’t run in the background or able to switch to a map view as the points are being uploaded. I hope the service remains free and improved as Apple releases more APIs in the SDK.
