DIY Networkable GPS Tracking < $99
Here's a solution for the GPS networking problem. It's a Boost J2ME enabled mobile phone (prepaid, around $60 at, like..7-11 or Target or Wal-Mart..) and a little application that uses the phone's (and Boost's GPS service) to track the device. The data is then sent to a web service. So — you can do what you will with that location. The great thing is the whole rig actually costs less than a GPS!
More details are here DIY GPS tracking with Mologogo - review.
A similar sort of rig may provide part of the Hunter/Gatherer technology, although I'd expect there to be network delays that my affect the game scenario. I've been told by those in the know that a little J2ME app running on one of these Boost i285 Motorola phones that could read GPS coordinates and toss them over the fence to one's own server isn't a big deal at all.
If there were a budget..
It might also be an enabling technology for MadProphet in some fashion.
Comments
I've played around with Mologogo before - there is a significant delay in updating the data (it appears to only send updates every minute or so), which makes it a bit impractical for any kind of real time interaction. Also, Mologogo is a hosted service, so the data actually lives on their servers, though I believe they're pretty open with it, and that you should be able to extract it in some useable form (with, of course, more lag).
Posted by: Adam Simon![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://interactive.usc.edu/members/jbleecker/nav-commenters.gif)
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December 8, 2005 11:35 AM
even with a lag, this could work fine for the docu-educational element of the hunter gatherer game, in other words the gatherer part. a sponsorship from the boost people would be a great way to draw attention to this service for them, would you agree julian?
Posted by: mt![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://interactive.usc.edu/members/jbleecker/nav-commenters.gif)
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December 11, 2005 12:12 PM
even with a lag, this could work fine for the docu-educational element of the hunter gatherer game, in other words the gatherer part. a sponsorship from the boost people would be a great way to draw attention to this service for them, would you agree julian?
Posted by: mt![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://interactive.usc.edu/members/jbleecker/nav-commenters.gif)
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December 11, 2005 12:15 PM
sorry man, no link cause right now it's a super low-key cocoa app with no ability to save the image. my friend is working on the save stuff, so I'll be sure and have him post it when he feels like it's solid enough for general consumption... I'll ask him if it's cool to post the early version though, then update this post
Posted by: will![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://interactive.usc.edu/members/jbleecker/nav-commenters.gif)
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December 12, 2005 4:29 PM