Bell Labs Demos Cell Phone Location Software

mateub writes "AP via Yahoo reports that Bell Labs will soon announce cell phone software to reveal the owner's location to interested parties. To alleviate privacy concerns they say the software will 'let cell users be as picky as they choose about disclosing their whereabouts' but the article goes on to mention 'the ability for restaurants and other businesses to send a solicitation by text message to a cell phone when its owner wanders within range of those merchants.' Oh, wonderful, cellular popups..."

Comments

Scary.

[fuzzbot77]

It would be interesting if there were some software switch that could be triggered by the provider if they were forced to do so by eg FBI or some other form of law enforcment. If you have committed a crime flick of a swtich your position is lit up like a christmas tree. I would prefer telling people where I am rather than having the phone tell them my exact location. Some of the newer technology is interesting and good, But some will bring in a new era of Big Brother. Just my thought..

Who pays for the message?

[ptbarnett]

I'm charged 10 cents for every incoming or outgoing SMS (text) message. I can buy a bundle of messages every month for a cheaper unit price, but since I don't use my phone for that purpose, I don't see any point.

If I get spammed by someone identifiable because I happen to be in their vicinity, I'll be demanding to see the manager and collect my dime refund, just to be a PITA. If enough people do it, that will be end of that kind of spam in the US.

At first glance...

[Crypto Gnome]

This actually sounds reasonable: Advance the technology for intrusive advertising, but hand 100% detailed control to the user.

There have been times when I've been wondering where the nearest {insert favorite exotic food} restaurant is. ....

1. Grab Mobile
2. set "restaurants only"=true
3. turn on location announcing thingy
4. wait 5
5. turn off location announcing thingy
6. read ads from local restaurants

Wire them up with an electronic compass and it should even be able to give you (updated in realtime, even) directions from where you are.

• Turn left
• 2 blocks
• 3 shops
• there!

push vs. pull

[Eric Smith]

but the article goes on to mention 'the ability for restaurants and other businesses to send a solicitation by text message to a cell phone when its owner wanders within range of those merchants.' Oh, wonderful, cellular popups..."

Yet another attempt to use a "push" media model where "pull" would be much better. Instead of having my phone contantly wanting my attention when it learns about restaurants, I would much prefer a feature where I could ask the phone "what restaurants are nearby".

In particular, I don't want the restaurants (or other stores) to even know I'm nearby until I ask the phone to poll for that information.

Re:Yeah right

[Catbeller]

" somehow see the phone in the dumpster as a big clue that something is up."

So would not phoning home from a friend's house, or not coming home at all.

The cell phone in a dumpster is useless as an indicator, Q.E.D. So that "use" is a farce.

So what is the real use?

1. Selling ads.
2. Tracking law abiding citizens.
3. Locator service for the user. A selling point, but 1. and 2. are the winners here.

Re:cells

[geekoid]

"...as it will undoubtedly
improve children's safety."

how so? Are you saying the kidnapper won't through the cell phone out the window?

How about this, the kidnapper tosses the childs phone into a different vehical going in another direction?