Live data from Hacker News

Moby: Share your location in real time

mo.by

11–20 of 63 posts

Re: Moby: Share your location in real time

#11
post #2

Interesting. I tried to get my friends to sign up for Google Latitude but they didn't like the idea of it broadcasting a location when not needed. So maybe an expiring short link is a better approach. I like it.

I agree. I think that a very simple, single function service like this could be useful. You know exactly what you are sharing and who you are sharing it with.

In the past, I've been known to take a screenshot of my open maps application (with my location shown on the map), and sms that to friends to let them know where I am if I didn't have the address handy. This is clearly a better solution.

Re: Moby: Share your location in real time

#13
No demo video, no explanation. Why do I need yet another app for this?

html5, javascript, geolocation apis, social networking sites with client-side sharing capabilities. These are all the things I need to build a simple service that does what's described here. Why is this an app?

Re: Moby: Share your location in real time

#14
post #5

I personally use Path and love the "neighborhood" alerts which periodically post to Path "Nathan is in Downtown Austin", "Nathan is in Barton Hills, Austin", etc. This system is very elegant and seamless because it posts directly to the social feed without any effort. From the landing page for the app I'm unsure of how this app works, or what purpose the shortlink serves. Why not make the app link to Facebook, Twitte…

It's not simple if your friends aren't already in your social network. The link will work for anyone you send it to.

I can try to extrapolate what I would use this for and what will happen when I share the link, but I'm unsure at best.

Re: Moby: Share your location in real time

#16
post #13

No demo video, no explanation. Why do I need yet another app for this? html5, javascript, geolocation apis, social networking sites with client-side sharing capabilities. These are all the things I need to build a simple service that does what's described here. Why is this an app?

As far as I gather, these kids have been doing it as a hobby because other apps for quickly sharing a real-time location suck. The short link makes it ideal for sharing via SMS/Twitter, etc.

But great point, they should have a quick demo video, even if they are just a few young hackers. That's probably coming next.

Re: Moby: Share your location in real time

#17
post #16
post #13

No demo video, no explanation. Why do I need yet another app for this? html5, javascript, geolocation apis, social networking sites with client-side sharing capabilities. These are all the things I need to build a simple service that does what's described here. Why is this an app?

As far as I gather, these kids have been doing it as a hobby because other apps for quickly sharing a real-time location suck. The short link makes it ideal for sharing via SMS/Twitter, etc. But great point, they should have a quick demo video, even if they are just a few young hackers. That's probably coming next.

What apps do you need? I know how to share my current location on all major smartphone OSes without needing any apps that aren't built in.

Re: Moby: Share your location in real time

#18
post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

As far as I gather, these kids have been doing it as a hobby because other apps for quickly sharing a real-time location suck. The short link makes it ideal for sharing via SMS/Twitter, etc. But great point, they should have a quick demo video, even if they are just a few young hackers. That's probably coming next.

What apps do you need? I know how to share my current location on all major smartphone OSes without needing any apps that aren't built in.

Ok, pretend you are picking me up. Share with me a link where you are right now... even if you are driving.

Re: Moby: Share your location in real time

#19
post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

As far as I gather, these kids have been doing it as a hobby because other apps for quickly sharing a real-time location suck. The short link makes it ideal for sharing via SMS/Twitter, etc. But great point, they should have a quick demo video, even if they are just a few young hackers. That's probably coming next.

What apps do you need? I know how to share my current location on all major smartphone OSes without needing any apps that aren't built in.

I think most people use Whatsapp for that. There's a built in feature.
Post reply on HN