Would this be similar to the tech they use to try and track you by your mobile in the moofies?

[dug777]

Thanks to our national carrier (Telstra) being gigantic asshats, they've decided to turn off CDMA in a few months, so I was forced to buy a new 'Next-G' (UMTS network w/HSPDA (As far as I can see it does GSM 900/1800, GSM 1900, and UMTS)) mobile.

Anyway, it has all these free gimmicky 'web' features, and one is Whereis Mobile, which tells you where the nearest atms/bottleshops/shops/services/accommodation/bars/etc/etc are.

You can either input your address, or let it work out where you are, which amused me somewhat

It's quite accurate where I work in the city, usually gets within ~50m of where you are, gets a little less clever in areas with less base stations, at home it's probably out by over half a km.

I guess my point is that if this is the same tech they use to track people in the movies, it's not exactly going to lead you to their front door

 

[MmmSkyscraper]

Damn it dug777, just do this for me!

 

[ViRGE]

Unfortunately it's the same tech used in E911, so you had best not try to die at home, otherwise the EMTs won't be able to find you.

 

[CptCrunch]

Similar tech, if it's the government wanting to find out where you are, they'll have a general idea

 

[Fullmetal Chocobo]

Originally posted by: dug777
I guess my point is that if this is the same tech they use to track people in the movies, it's not exactly going to lead you to their front door

It depends upon the system they are using. Current GPS in a meto can get your location ~5 meters. It gets a bit more confusing for the satellites when there are large buildings (ie sky scrapers, etc), as it can cause the signals to bounce. Another method of cell phone location is using the towers themselves (they essentially triangulate your location by the time it takes the signal to get to the multiple towers). This method isn't as accurate as GPS, but it continues to work your location while you are on the line, and it gets more accurate the longer the duration of the call.

^ yay 9-1-1 training. It is for the US; I'm not sure what is used elsewhere.

 

[pontifex]

Originally posted by: CptCrunch
Similar tech, if it's the government wanting to find out where you are, they'll have a general idea

uh, no...they won't use your cell phone. they've already got the spy satellites tracking you 24/7 already!

 

[UNCjigga]

They're not using a true hybrid LBS system, probably just forward link triangulation.

 

[UNCjigga]

Originally posted by: Fullmetal Chocobo

Originally posted by: dug777
I guess my point is that if this is the same tech they use to track people in the movies, it's not exactly going to lead you to their front door

It depends upon the system they are using. Current GPS in a meto can get your location ~5 meters. It gets a bit more confusing for the satellites when there are large buildings (ie sky scrapers, etc), as it can cause the signals to bounce. Another method of cell phone location is using the towers themselves (they essentially triangulate your location by the time it takes the signal to get to the multiple towers). This method isn't as accurate as GPS, but it continues to work your location while you are on the line, and it gets more accurate the longer the duration of the call.

^ yay 9-1-1 training. It is for the US; I'm not sure what is used elsewhere.

E911 FTW!