TrackMy – Review
App Type: Uncategorized
Our rating: 
By: Personal Security Solutions Limited
Version #: 1.01
Date Released: 2010-09-01
Developer:
Price: 1.99
User Rating:
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Location based social networks are all the rage and everyone is coming to the party. Whether it is Foursquare, Facebook or Twitter, they all want to give you a way to show your friends where you are and what you are doing. Each service has its own twist and take on the idea. Personal Security Solutions has a little different look at location tracking. Their new iPhone app TrackMy is geared to be a simple bare-bones location tracker that trades games and points for security and ease of tracking users.
TrackMy can be a bit intimidating to use at first. Setting up your tracking and connecting with users isn’t immediately apparent. This is mitigated by the inclusion of a manual right in the main row of buttons when you start the app. This can be referred to as needed if you are the type that likes to jump head long into applications like I do, or if you prefer to read your instructions completely first then you can certainly do so. The other buttons give you access to the tracking and the following features of TrackMy.
Posting your location is as easy as selecting the location button, and then double tapping the pinwheel in the middle of the screen. TrackMy also has settings to allow TrackMy to autopost your location when the application is opened and also at a set interval; which is handy for those times you are in the car but want to map out a route, or allow someone to follow you.
The way people follow you is one of the ways TrackMy differentiates itself from the competition. People who also have the Trackmy app can connect with you and both of you must confirm the request. You have full control over who can follow your posts and can revoke someone at any time. The real convenience comes from the email option. You can grab an email from a contact in your iPhone’s contact list to send updates to. The email will have links to view the post in Trackmy or in Google maps, which means you can allow anyone to follow you without the need for them to download and use an app. This is great for sharing with people temporarily or for those that do not have iPhones.
The secure nature of TrackMy tends to preclude the sort of networking and friend discovery that other location based networks offer. There isn’t any way to see posts from users nearby without already knowing the users in person. For those that are concerned about the use of location information being publicly available, Trackmy offers a viable option to still put location tracking to good use. TrackMy users can request location updates from other TrackMy users so if you want to know where your friend is this makes it easy and the mapping feature will give you a compass style view that orients you toward your friends location. TrackMy offers a compelling outlook on location tracking that utilizes the features of the iPhone, while providing its users with an adequate level of security and control over their data.
Quick Take
Value:Medium
Would I Buy Again:Maybe.
Learning Curve:Easy.
Who Is It For:People who want to use location based networking without the security issues.
What I Like:Well designed to secure your location data so only those you want can see, followers don't need app to follow you.
What I Don't Like:Yet another social networking app to fill up my iPhone's screen.
Final Statement:Let people keep track and track others with a security-minded social networking app.
Similarly, you can send push notifications to other TrackMy users requesting they send you their location - for all those times you wonder "Where are you?"
Your own updates and those your contacts send you are stored on your iPhone. You can use the map view to show a single update, all updates for a single person, or the latest updates for everyone. Drill down to see the details of the update like the nearest address. Track journeys, record events, or just see what everyone’s up to! You can even see the heading and distance from your current position to the location reported in an update (requires iPhone 3GS or later).
For your privacy and security, all contact relationships are subject to opt-in by both parties and can be terminated by either party at any time.
You can set your preferred minimum accuracy (from 10 metres to 10 kilometres) and frequency (once, or from every 5 minutes to hourly) for updates.
Screenshots
Article By Nathan Kline
Nathan has been an avid Apple user and advocate since the days of the Apple ][. He has always sought to find new ways to make use of technology to assist his daily life. As a paramedic in southern California Nathan brings his familiarity with technology to the field, and at whatsoniphone.com he brings his critical thinking to he analysis of apps and news. You has also written app reviews for the mobile app site Smokinapps.com.
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