Trapster
04-14-2008, 09:32 AM
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New Mobile Service Fights Speed Traps
By ANICK JESDANUN
AP Internet Writer
NEW YORK (AP) -- In a modern equivalent of flashing your headlights to warn other motorists of police speed traps, you can now warn fellow drivers with a cell phone or personal digital assistant about speed traps, red-light cameras and other threats to ticket-free driving.
And as you approach a known threat, you'll get an audio alert on your mobile device.
The developer of Trapster, Pete Tenereillo, said the system, which requires punching in a few keys such as "pound-1" to submit information to Trapster's database, should comply with laws banning talking on cell phones.
Tenereillo insisted he isn't encouraging motorists to break the law or drive dangerously, saying drivers who speed are bound to do so anyway.
And he said police officials he's talked to haven't complained about the service because it inevitably encourages drivers to slow down. (The International Association of Chiefs of Police did not respond to requests for comment.)
The free service can automatically detect location using mobile devices' GPS capabilities or tap their Wi-Fi and get location from a database run by Skyhook Wireless. (Skyhook sends trucks up and down streets to scan for home wireless routers or commercial hotspots and record the unique identifying code and location of each.)
Information about red-light cameras and where police tend to operate speed traps is kept in Trapster's database indefinitely. Information about active speed traps is kept for an hour, with the idea that officers may move on.
Users can choose the types of cameras or traps for which they want alerts.
To discourage pranksters and law-enforcement officials from flooding the system with bogus locations, users can rate others on the accuracy of their contributions, and those getting better ratings will carry more weight.
Trapster can be used with about 10 different wireless platforms, including Nokia Corp.'s smart phones, devices using Microsoft Corp.'s Windows Mobile and BlackBerry units from Research In Motion Ltd.
? 2008 The Associated Press
By ANICK JESDANUN
AP Internet Writer
NEW YORK (AP) -- In a modern equivalent of flashing your headlights to warn other motorists of police speed traps, you can now warn fellow drivers with a cell phone or personal digital assistant about speed traps, red-light cameras and other threats to ticket-free driving.
And as you approach a known threat, you'll get an audio alert on your mobile device.
The developer of Trapster, Pete Tenereillo, said the system, which requires punching in a few keys such as "pound-1" to submit information to Trapster's database, should comply with laws banning talking on cell phones.
Tenereillo insisted he isn't encouraging motorists to break the law or drive dangerously, saying drivers who speed are bound to do so anyway.
And he said police officials he's talked to haven't complained about the service because it inevitably encourages drivers to slow down. (The International Association of Chiefs of Police did not respond to requests for comment.)
The free service can automatically detect location using mobile devices' GPS capabilities or tap their Wi-Fi and get location from a database run by Skyhook Wireless. (Skyhook sends trucks up and down streets to scan for home wireless routers or commercial hotspots and record the unique identifying code and location of each.)
Information about red-light cameras and where police tend to operate speed traps is kept in Trapster's database indefinitely. Information about active speed traps is kept for an hour, with the idea that officers may move on.
Users can choose the types of cameras or traps for which they want alerts.
To discourage pranksters and law-enforcement officials from flooding the system with bogus locations, users can rate others on the accuracy of their contributions, and those getting better ratings will carry more weight.
Trapster can be used with about 10 different wireless platforms, including Nokia Corp.'s smart phones, devices using Microsoft Corp.'s Windows Mobile and BlackBerry units from Research In Motion Ltd.
? 2008 The Associated Press
Trapster.com
Pretty nice idea...hella cheaper than getting a Passport/V1 and attorney fees!
04-14-2008, 11:50 AM
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My Ride: 2008 535xi, Monaco Blue, Premium, Cold Weather, Nav, M Aero Kit, Ipod, Escort Passport SRX
Hey - this thing works. I am getting text message updates on my cellphone where ever there's a radar trap set up!!! Pretty cool!!!!
04-14-2008, 12:43 PM
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Sprintbooster
Split Second Turbo Tuner
BMC Air Filter
Yea, I dl'ed it to my BB 8830. Gonna try it out later on tonight.
12-21-2008, 10:10 AM
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Originally Posted by stylezzza' post='749973' date='Dec 21 2008, 10:37 AM
Does this work with iPhones?
12-27-2008, 07:17 PM
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My Ride: 2006 550i, Alpine White, Beige Ltr, Sport Pkg, Cold Weather Pkg, Premium Sound, Active Steering, Comfort Access, Steptronic, Nav, Satellite Radio, Split Fold Rear Seats, V1
It did not work on my BB 8830. It says I need an external GPS attachment???
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