iPhone Apps Advice Needed for Locating Elderly

[ubersalad]

Forgive me if there is a more appropriate forum to post this question.

I think the iPhone 3G can help me locate my elderly / forgetful Mother if the apps are VERY SIMPLE to use. She loves her independence but she does get lost while driving sometimes. My plan involves buying 2 iPhone 3G's (one for me and one for her). I want to be able to locate her at any given time without her having to update her location.

I have researched the social networking and navigation apps, and can't find enough details to determine if one will fit the bill. Having never used an iPhone myself, I am also concerned about her embracing it (she doesn't like cell phones much).

If anyone reading this can confirm an app for me that can let me track her without her participation, I would be most grateful for your input.

Also, has anyone seen the older generation use an iPhone? Do they manage ok?

Thanks in advance for your comments!

I sympathize with you, however, I think this program you are looking for would violate quite a few privacy issues. Hence there may be issues with Apple approving programs with such capability.

 

[ViViDboarder]

I just wrote a long thing and it got lost... I'll try to keep this short.

No privacy issues are a concern here as you are not REQUIRED to dl the app and you would agree to it and be able to remove it. The main issue is that apps from the app store are sandboxed and cannot send information when not running. To run a background app like that it'd have to be written for a jailbroken iPhone and that's not too likely it'll be made.

I think your best bet is another cell service with location services, like boost or sprint, and then an iPod Touch so she can get the push calendar when she has wifi.

Good luck!

 

[tncare49]

I just wrote a long thing and it got lost... I'll try to keep this short.

No privacy issues are a concern here as you are not REQUIRED to dl the app and you would agree to it and be able to remove it. The main issue is that apps from the app store are sandboxed and cannot send information when not running. To run a background app like that it'd have to be written for a jailbroken iPhone and that's not too likely it'll be made.

I think your best bet is another cell service with location services, like boost or sprint, and then an iPod Touch so she can get the push calendar when she has wifi.

Good luck!

Thanks ViViDboarder. After watching the Apple Keynote several times regarding the iPhone 3G launch, it was stated that a COM channel (via IP I think) will remain open always so that these apps don't have to continually run. That's how the push technology can be effective, at least that's how I understood they worked.
Thanks again.

 

[tncare49]

No reviews, but it seems to be updated frequently: feed://webobjects.mdimension.com/iPhoneApps.rss

Thanks for the feed Severe!

 

[ViViDboarder]

Thanks ViViDboarder. After watching the Apple Keynote several times regarding the iPhone 3G launch, it was stated that a COM channel (via IP I think) will remain open always so that these apps don't have to continually run. That's how the push technology can be effective, at least that's how I understood they worked.
Thanks again.

Yea, push is incoming to the phone. It won't be open to send out info.

 

[tncare49]

Yea, push is incoming to the phone. It won't be open to send out info.

I wonder if the rumored 2.1 release will changes things. Here's hoping!