PhoneSeek

PhoneSeek is an application to track any device that uses InstaMapper. InstaMapper is free real-time GPS tracking service. To use InstaMapper you need a GPS enabled device with the free InstaMapper tracking software installed along with a API Key from InstaMapper’s web site for each device you own. You can track mobile phones (iPhone, G1, Blackberry) or even automobiles.

Use Case

With PhoneSeek I can add my InstaMapper API Key for my phone and track it from the desktop. I can also add and track multiple devices. On my G1 phone, I installed the Android version of the InstaMapper tracking software. This software allows me to send my phone’s GPS data to InstaMapper service where I can view it either on their website or consume the data through InstaMapper’s web service. In PhoneSeek I just add the API Key to begin tracking the advice as soon as your phone starts to transmit GPS data.

How to Use Phoneseek

Step 1: Visit InstaMapper.com, sign up for a new account and download the version of their free GPS tracking software for your mobile device. Install the PhoneSeek application using the Adobe AIR installer Badge below:

PhoneSeek Adobe AIR Installer

Step 2: Add your InstaMapper API KEY to PhoneSeek using the “Add” button. You can store multiple devices by adding multiple InstaMapper API Keys. You can get the API Key after you sign up and add your device from the Manage Devices tab of the InstaMapper web site. Look for the Configure API Access link and get an API Key. The API Key is what allows PhoneSeek to talk to InstaMapper’s web service.

Add phone to PhoneSeek

Step 3: Edit the name of your device if you want to have a better description or a description different than the one provided by InstaMapper.

Edit Device Name

Step 4: Click on the device name in the list to display your recent GPS data. Remember you need to have the InstaMapper free GPS tracking software active on your mobile device to record data. The last location of your mobile phone appears on the map.

Mapped Device

Step 5: You can view the device history by using the data points tab on the right. Click on each point to place it on the map. Each point also shows you a compass graphic showing the heading for each point.

Data Points

Updates

v1.7 (4/19/09) – Fixed the desktop icon for the application and the missing compass icon from the data points tab.

Development

You can find more information about PhoneSeek development page or leave a comment if you wish. There is no support for this application other than that provided on the blog. I am not sure there will be any future updates as this was built as a demo application only.

-Mr