Send a Location to Emergency Services

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turb

881 posts

Ultimate Geek

#205360 10-Nov-2016 07:39

What would be the best way to send one's location to the NZ emergency services from a smartphone?

Google found this: http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/apps/69496949/smartphone-app-to-transmit-111-callers-location

But it doesn't look like it's come to fruition yet.

Is there another way?

Come to that, what's a quick way of sending ones location to anyone anytime? i.e not necessarily in an emergency, ideally by SMS, or without you both having to have some special app.

Interests: HTPC, Web App authoring.

YadaMe

110 posts

Master Geek

#1667100 10-Nov-2016 07:57

Glympse works well, allows you to text a link that give your location for a set amount of time. Handy to send when you are stuck in traffic

regius

38 posts

Geek

#1667106 10-Nov-2016 08:30

WhatThreeWords.

A very interesting concept that locates every 3 sq.m. on the planet and gives the spot a 3-word name. Using it one could even locate yourself in your bed for an ambulance, or your front door for a pizza delivery.

See: http://what3words.com/

afe66

3181 posts

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Lifetime subscriber

#1667141 10-Nov-2016 09:02

I've got "Here I am" app for android which creates sms with GPS coordinates and also Google maps link/url.

There will be others I'm sure.

Also got what 3 words which very elegant but no one else I know has so less useful.

A.

Geektastic

17935 posts

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Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1667156 10-Nov-2016 09:21

Use a PLB if it's of critical importance as that is not dependent on cell coverage.

richms

28069 posts

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#1667218 10-Nov-2016 10:41

I couldnt even find where to get the lat/long on an android phone without installing google maps or another app to show GPS stuff.

Richard rich.ms

turb

881 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1667615 10-Nov-2016 20:22

afe66: I've got "Here I am" app for android which creates sms with GPS coordinates and also Google maps link/url.

There will be others I'm sure.

Also got what 3 words which very elegant but no one else I know has so less useful.

A.

Thanks for that recommendation, the app grabs your location and you can easily send it by SMS or email with just a couple of clicks. There's a couple of different versions on the google play. I got "Here I Am 2".

I'll set that as the answer.

All we need now is a way of texting the cops!

(There is a way of doing that in NZ but only for the hearing-impaired.)

Interests: HTPC, Web App authoring.

PhantomNVD

2619 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#1667656 10-Nov-2016 22:06

iMessage has a built in "send my location" in the messenger app which works via sms too, and triggers a GPS link to whatever your default map program is? (PM me your cell and I'll send you one for demo if you like?)

perhaps we need to stop worrying about the missing headphone plug and applaud Apple for a change?

Sharesies

Trade NZ and US shares and funds with Sharesies (affiliate link).

iamspark

47 posts

Geek

#1780123 12-May-2017 12:19

The android technology referred to in the OP's link was launched this week in NZ, as per this news item.

So, as long as you have an android, emergency services will now get your handset-derived location. MBIE FAQ with more details here.

Calls from non android phones will get (via a network-based mechanism) the cell tower information for the call being sent to emergency services.

KillerHulk

348 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1780131 12-May-2017 12:32

google assistant does the work by asking it to send your location

i just say " send my location to (name of person) "

it sends an sms with a maps link.

I Eat Dumbbells for Breakfast

turb

881 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1780133 12-May-2017 12:34

KillerHulk:
google assistant does the work by asking it to send your location

i just say " send my location to (name of person) "

it sends an sms with a maps link.

If only the emergency services had a number we could text to!

Interests: HTPC, Web App authoring.

KillerHulk

348 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1780134 12-May-2017 12:38

turb:
KillerHulk:

google assistant does the work by asking it to send your location

i just say " send my location to (name of person) "

it sends an sms with a maps link.

If only the emergency services had a number we could text to!

read few days back - nz already has a system to track your location when you call to emergency no. even if you haven't gps or something turned on..

I Eat Dumbbells for Breakfast

turb

881 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1780135 12-May-2017 12:40

iamspark:
The android technology referred to in the OP's link was launched this week in NZ, as per this news item.

So, as long as you have an android, emergency services will now get your handset-derived location. MBIE FAQ with more details here.

Calls from non android phones will get (via a network-based mechanism) the cell tower information for the call being sent to emergency services.

I saw that - it's really good.

I had a quick look at the documentation - how does the android phone know to activate location services and send its location? I guess it's part of the firmware if you buy an NZ phone, but what if you're using another OS?

Interests: HTPC, Web App authoring.

howdystranger

152 posts

Master Geek

#1780149 12-May-2017 13:12

turb:
iamspark:

The android technology referred to in the OP's link was launched this week in NZ, as per this news item.

So, as long as you have an android, emergency services will now get your handset-derived location. MBIE FAQ with more details here.

Calls from non android phones will get (via a network-based mechanism) the cell tower information for the call being sent to emergency services.

I saw that - it's really good.

I had a quick look at the documentation - how does the android phone know to activate location services and send its location? I guess it's part of the firmware if you buy an NZ phone, but what if you're using another OS?

Yes it's baked into android. No solution yet for iOS I think but they're working on it. Other OSs are probably a lost cause...

jnimmo

1097 posts

Uber Geek

#1780152 12-May-2017 13:20

turb:
KillerHulk:

google assistant does the work by asking it to send your location

i just say " send my location to (name of person) "

it sends an sms with a maps link.

If only the emergency services had a number we could text to!

We technically do - http://www.police.govt.nz/111-txt - but only for people with hearing or speech impairment

iamspark

47 posts

Geek

#1780223 12-May-2017 14:55

jnimmo:

turb:
KillerHulk:

google assistant does the work by asking it to send your location

i just say " send my location to (name of person) "

it sends an sms with a maps link.

If only the emergency services had a number we could text to!

We technically do - http://www.police.govt.nz/111-txt - but only for people with hearing or speech impairment

What you are discussing here has become irrelevant - with the new system being launched this week - this is what happens (completely in the background from a user perspective) now from any android phone in NZ.