Gizmodo: gps tracking

Screw Twitter, You Can Follow This Politician's GPS Ankle Bracelet

Joanna Stern — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 20:30:00 EDT

Michael Untermeyer better steer clear of the strip clubs for the next thirty days. The candidate for Philly DA has chosen to wear an electronic monitoring anklet like the thugs get to wear. Why?

Leading by example, or you know by gimmick, the candidate believes that the state can save millions by slapping these GPS trackers on nonviolent criminal defendants instead of keeping them in jail. Here is a candidate really trying to relate to all the people. You can watch where he is right now on his website.

This reminds me of when my friend tried out his dog's invisible fence collar. He understood the punishment so much more after he ran through it and got shocked in the jugular. Either way, I'd still keep my eyes on Untermeyer to see if he slips up and forgets he is being tracked at all times. Oh in case you really do track him, the site doesn't work in Firefox. That already has to ignore about half of his voting constituency. [Philadelphia Inquirer]

The World's Smallest, Potentially Seediest GPS, GSM and RF Tracker

Simon Crisp — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 08:07:36 EDT

It looks like a nondescript battery, but this is actually the world's smallest GPS, GSM and RF tracking device.

The recently released CATS.i measures just 45mm x 35mm x 12mm, and makers say it can be used to track cars, pets and even people. Given that they also claim this is the "most covert" tracking device of its type and is "almost undetectable when being worn", I'm not sure I want to know who their normal customers are.

The device uses a built-in GSM sim chip to report back its GPS data, either constantly or at set intervals, which can then be tracked online. It is battery powered but can also be hardwired to vehicles, or even solar power—though the makers don't specify how. Quad band GSM, GSP and RF ensures you should be able to monitor the people you are stalking—sorry, tracking—wherever they go. [Cats.i]

Wisconsin Police Can Track You With GPS Without Warrant or Probable Cause

Dan Nosowitz — Mon, 11 May 2009 23:35:00 EDT

Late last week, a Wisconsin court ruled that its state police can track whoever they wish, suspect or not, without a warrant or even probable cause, using GPS. Eep.

The judge himself wrote, "police are seemingly free to secretly track anyone's public movements with a GPS device." Unsurprisingly, police are calling the decision a landmark victory for public safety, while the ACLU is up in arms about the invasion of privacy rights. Essentially, the judge ruled that it's not a violation of the fourth amendment (search and seizure) because the information gained could have been collected in some other way (like surveillance).

The ACLU is expected to make a big stink, and the case in which the ruling came down (a stalking case) is expected to see appeal, but it'd be a pretty scary precedent to set if the ruling is upheld. [Chicago Tribune via Crunchgear]

DHL Putting Serious GPS Tracking Systems On Packages

Wilson Rothman — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 20:20:00 EST

DHL is apparently outfitting cargo containers with sensors to monitor GPS location, temperature, humidity, impact, vibration and light exposure. Cool, but with frills like this, it's no wonder their US operation went busto. [BBG]

GPS Art: This Time, It's the Real Deal

Sean Fallon — Fri, 30 May 2008 19:30:00 EDT

A few days ago, a story about an "artist" (advertising student) using DHL to create the biggest GPS drawing in the world surfaced and, like most cool stories, it turned out to be a complete fake. However, the concept itself was fantastic—and the good news is that there is a guy out there named Antti Laitinen who is the real deal.

Laitinen has been drawing his face across maps of various European forests and cities for some time now, and despite the fact that the results look like something a drunk guy would draw using a pen tucked between his buttcheeks, we still have to give him credit for being authentic. And if there is any doubt about its authenticity—take a look at that photo one more time. And if that still isn't enough, he also provided details on his GPS recorder and how the project was done. Another artist named Esther Polak has also been creating GPS art since 2002—although here work is more abstract. [Antti Laitinen and Esther Polak via Wired]

GPS-Tracked Biggest Drawing in the World is Complete Fake

Kit Eaton — Wed, 28 May 2008 07:02:00 EDT

You know that so-called "biggest drawing in the World" made by pin-point DHL mailings of a GPS tracker? Well, all you doubting commenters were right: it's a complete and utter fake. While artist Erik Nordenankar was allowed into a DHL warehouse, that's about it as far as any real mail is concerned. A note on his website says "This is fictional work. DHL did not transport the GPS at any time." So, no GPS tracker, no DHL pin-point global mailing. Just one big steaming pile of fakeness. [Gadget Lab]

GPS Wrist Tracker Has GSM for Live Position Updates

Kit Eaton — Tue, 20 May 2008 09:00:00 EDT

In January we brought you some info on the SPOT GPS tracker that broadcasts live info on your whereabouts, and now just four months later there's this new wrist-mounted gizmo that does almost the same. The Wrist Tracker is actually a multifunction device that has a GSM unit built-in, alongside the GPS tracker and data-logger, and it can be configured to send your position data via SMS at set intervals, or tracked real-time by GPRS. There's a plain LCD screen which displays the usual GPS info, and though it's not overly attractive it doesn't appear massively chunky. Available recently, though there's no info on pricing. [Coolest Gadgets via Navigadget]

SPOT GPS Tracking Device Is Perfect for Remote Climbers and Jealous Girlfriends

Kit Eaton — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 07:05:42 EST

Walt Mossberg has had a look at the SPOT satellite messenger, a GPS gadget aimed at adventurers and thrill seekers. Not only does it call in the emergency services if you're stuck and there's no cellphone tower for miles, but it also sends out position updates to keep friends back home updated on your expedition. It locates you via GPS, and transmits data by satellite to a control center, which routes messages on for you, and its three buttons couldn't be simpler—"OK/Check," "Help" and the one you'll hopefully never click, "911." More juice below.

Waterproof, floating, alititude-proof to 21,000 feet and freeze-proof to -40 degrees Fahrenheit, its bright orange case is about the same size as a BlackBerry, and it's powered by two lithium AA batteries.

Its simplicity rests on an annual service charge and front-end website: through this you can send an unlimited number of GPS position updates to a list of buddies for $100 a year, though you have to pre-arrange the messages since all SPOT itself has is those three controls. If you do need to call in assistance, it prioritizes that alert and repeats the message until its battery is dry (about seven days). But since there's no way for a message to get back to you, it might be a long, hard wait.

SPOT will cost you $170 for the unit, and $100 a year for the support, with an optional $50 automated 10-minute position update service. [Findmespot via Allthingsd]