A free way to track someones race progress in real time

[IamTrike]

While I was at lunch yesterday, a friend pointed out a way for my wife to track my progress during the race using our iphone 4's. With the latest version of iOS the "find my iPhone" tool is now free. By enabling this functionality on my phone and installing the app on her phone, she can now see my phone's location on a map in real-time. We've played with it a bit and it seems to work pretty well so I figured I'd share the tip with ya'll. Ohh, and it looks like there are a couple similar apps for android devices.

 

[cewait]

While I was at lunch yesterday, a friend pointed out a way for my wife to track my progress during the race using our iphone 4's. With the latest version of iOS the "find my iPhone" tool is now free. By enabling this functionality on my phone and installing the app on her phone, she can now see my phone's location on a map in real-time. We've played with it a bit and it seems to work pretty well so I figured I'd share the tip with ya'll. Ohh, and it looks like there are a couple similar apps for android devices.

It works, kind of well. As long as you are in a strong 3G signal the radius is relatively small, but it can be as large as a quarter mile...... but that is better than waiting until 5 pm for the race's notification of a start or looking down for a split second only to see her just out of shouting range ...


BUT DANG GOOD IDEA!

 

[crewmatt]

The Marine Corps Marathon offered a similar app for tracking, as they didnt have runner tracking via text messages this year. I'm tempted to write an app for just this purpose.

 

[cewait]

The only question I have about find my phone is do you need to hit refresh to get the surser to move? I think yes, but those who are more iphone & ipod-touch knowledgeable may know....

Oh, it ay be coincidental, but I am changing over to the apple based systems this week, I hope Bye Bye stodgy old Black Berry

 

[FFigawi]

Runkeeper's app will let someone follow you while you're running too.

http://runkeeper.com/

 

[Bephus]

Runkeeper's app will let someone follow you while you're running too.

http://runkeeper.com/

I just checked out this app and the Pro version (normally $9.99) is free until the end of January.

 

[IamTrike]

The only question I have about find my phone is do you need to hit refresh to get the surser to move? I think yes, but those who are more iphone & ipod-touch knowledgeable may know....

Oh, it ay be coincidental, but I am changing over to the apple based systems this week, I hope Bye Bye stodgy old Black Berry

You are correct. You do have to click the refresh button to update location, with the find my iphone app.

Thanks John and Beth for the tip on runkeeper. I'll check that app out too, to see which I like better. We liked find my iphone because it was an app which my wife could use on her phone to track my phone.

 

[johde]

Another option would be Google Latatude. It will transmit your current location to friend you allow. I think there is also an option to add your location to your blog. I haven't used it yet. I've just played around with it.

 

[bunnyfoo]

But also keep in mind your phone's battery life... I took Runkeeper Pro with me on my 8 miler last Friday. I started at 100% battery life on my iPhone and was down to 70% by the end of my run. I like keeping the battery life in mind because there have been times that I've needed to call for someone to come pick me up during a run. It probably won't happen at Disney with the course being well monitored but just something to keep in mind.

 

[cewait]

But also keep in mind your phone's battery life... I took Runkeeper Pro with me on my 8 miler last Friday. I started at 100% battery life on my iPhone and was down to 70% by the end of my run. I like keeping the battery life in mind because there have been times that I've needed to call for someone to come pick me up during a run. It probably won't happen at Disney with the course being well monitored but just something to keep in mind.

did you turn off the wi-fi and 3G? Just in case, the wifi can be a huge power hog and the 3g is not needed. In a race receiving calls is probably not high on the list of priorities.


BTW - this discussion sent me off to the AT&T store on the way home from work.

 

[bunnyfoo]

I did have 3G on - I just assumed I needed to leave it on for the program to work. I can give it a try at Disney without the data. Data roaming outside of Canada is quite pricey.

 

[cewait]

I was really bitten hard by this. Mary missed me once by as best we can tell 4-5 minutes and then waited for an hour or so at the finish the 2003 or 4 event. It started to rain so I headed to the room, thinking she, a very fair weather person would have headed that way anyway.

Here is a link to the battery life question from RunKeeper.

http://support.runkeeper.com/kb/fre...ry-life-last-longer-while-tracking-activities

One thing that we have not discussed is that you need to upgrade your RunKeeper membership to their 'elite' evel for live tracking. Its only $5 a onth or $15 ish for a year. I took mine out for a spin this evening to see if and how it works. I cam home to a really big smile...

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

I'm leaning toward Droid or HTC when I return from WDW weekend. A huge change from being on my BB which I really love.

I may need this info to try for new ways to play.