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(C|Net) Amusing Apple's new Find My Friends app helps locate old classmates, college buddies, cheating wives   (news.cnet.com) divider line 46
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5892 clicks; posted to Geek » on 17 Oct 2011 at 3:29 AM   |  Favorite    |   share:  Share on Twitter share via Email Share on Facebook   more»   |    Get this fabulous T-Shirt and impress the methane out of your friends! shirt it!



46 Comments   (+0 »)
   
 
uttertosh
2011-10-17 03:38:42 AM
like facebook?

/like
 
uttertosh
2011-10-17 03:40:03 AM
rtfa... no.
 
dookdookdook
2011-10-17 03:49:45 AM
This type of crap is why I use a sh*tty old flip phone with a pay-as-you-go plan and don't even carry it with me if I can help it.

Honestly, what's the practical difference between tracking someone with a GPS built into a phone they obsessively keep with them at all times and a sub-dermal government computer chip?

/*replaces tinfoil hat and checks outside window for black helicopters*
 
MeinRS6 [TotalFark]
2011-10-17 04:12:43 AM
I wouldn't have that crap on my phone.
 
I Am The Egg Matt Drudge Smears Upon His Body
2011-10-17 04:47:29 AM

There's a much cheaper app out there that's a lot more fun and comes with little to no headaches.

It's called the "Stay Single" app.

sturmundslang.com


/that guy's app came with the "give up half your stuff" option

//no thanks
 
I Am The Egg Matt Drudge Smears Upon His Body
2011-10-17 04:49:20 AM
MeinRS6: I wouldn't have that crap on my phone.

/ftfy
 
Slaxl [TotalFark]
2011-10-17 04:59:30 AM
dookdookdook: This type of crap is why I use a sh*tty old flip phone with a pay-as-you-go plan and don't even carry it with me if I can help it.

Honestly, what's the practical difference between tracking someone with a GPS built into a phone they obsessively keep with them at all times and a sub-dermal government computer chip?

/*replaces tinfoil hat and checks outside window for black helicopters*

You know, you can disable it, and in all likelyhood you don't even have to install it on your phone. This isn't an example of a reason for sticking with old-timey single function mobile phones. I remember people in the 90s and early 00's refusing to get mobile phones because they could be tracked by the government. All this does is add in the functionality for you to share your location with your friends, so that if you're going out for a drink, and you say "We'll be in Leicester Sq" you don't then have to phone up and find out which pub, you just go to their location on the map. I have latitude on my phone, i'm pretty sure it's similar enough to this to be making that statement.

/oh noes, Google knows where I am, that means it can send me adverts relating to that position, woe is me
//if you're cheating on your wife you can quite happily turn it off, or even set your location somewhere far away, manually.
 
Doctor Jan Itor
2011-10-17 05:05:11 AM
Illegally tracking people without their knowledge is not a good idea.

/This is illegal, right?
//Not when Apple does it though
 
SBWorks
2011-10-17 05:16:52 AM
The social scientist guys must drooling. All these smartphone apps and Facebook data on creating spouses is research gold. Proving rates of manogomy, correlating cheating demographic data.... and all original source data, too. Bet a bunch of grad students are shopping for grants already.
 
sarah_t_s
2011-10-17 05:19:28 AM
dookdookdook:
/*replaces tinfoil hat and checks outside window for black helicopters*

Keep looking for those helicopters, didn't you know the reverse vampires gave them cloaking technology? There could be one right outside looking in and you'd never know.

/You can turn the phone off. Unlike your brain implant.
 
dookdookdook
2011-10-17 05:33:24 AM
Slaxl: ...

Have you been awake for the last decade?

The technology for the government to track the movements of every last one of us is pretty much here. All we need now is another 9/11 for America to collectively crap its pants again and willingly give the government permission to do it (if they aren't already).

sarah_t_s: Keep looking for those helicopters, didn't you know the reverse vampires gave them cloaking technology? There could be one right outside looking in and you'd never know.

HOLY CRAP NO
 
Gordon Bennett
2011-10-17 05:45:11 AM
sarah_t_s: the reverse vampires

Blood donors?
 
sarah_t_s
2011-10-17 05:51:37 AM
Gordon Bennett: sarah_t_s: the reverse vampires

Blood donors?

Second only to the space bats and red dress wearing lizard people.
 
Slaxl [TotalFark]
2011-10-17 05:56:47 AM
dookdookdook: Have you been awake for the last decade?

The technology for the government to track the movements of every last one of us is pretty much here. All we need now is another 9/11 for America to collectively crap its pants again and willingly give the government permission to do it (if they aren't already).


Exactly, that's my point, smartphones with an app that tells your friends your location isn't the final straw in terms of government tracking. That happened a long time ago back in the days of standard old timey mobile phones. If they could track you then, they could track you now even if you didn't use this app that it was suggested aided government tracking.
 
moerty
2011-10-17 05:57:00 AM
sarah_t_s: dookdookdook:
/*replaces tinfoil hat and checks outside window for black helicopters*

Keep looking for those helicopters, didn't you know the reverse vampires gave them cloaking technology? There could be one right outside looking in and you'd never know.

/You can turn the phone off. Unlike your brain implant.

Actually, the device camera, microphone and gps can be remotely accessed even if the phone is turned off, the only surefire way to prevent that is to physically remove the battery.
 
sarah_t_s
2011-10-17 06:24:46 AM
moerty:
Actually, the device camera, microphone and gps can be remotely accessed even if the phone is turned off, the only surefire way to prevent that is to physically remove the battery.

That'll work, although as far as I'm aware a phone powered off has no link to the cell tower which would make remote activation a bit tricky. Hell throw the thing in a mini faraday cage.
 
Faddy
2011-10-17 06:43:45 AM
The guy wasted money buying his cheating wife a 4S. He should've got her a shiatty Android phone and installed Google Latitude, it does the exact same thing.
 
Honest Bender
2011-10-17 07:30:33 AM
The lovely thing about this app is that you can follow people only if they're happy to you to have you follow them.

The editor should be beaten.
 
greatgodyoshi
2011-10-17 07:53:06 AM
So...it's Google Latitude?
 
UberStickleback
2011-10-17 07:59:12 AM
Anyone know the location of the Obvious tag?
 
JakeStone
2011-10-17 08:46:53 AM
I'm writing a proposal for a company that does the same thing without needing a stupid app installed, so I'm getting a kick out of this...
 
Skr
2011-10-17 08:47:12 AM
Little did he know, she was just up in uptown getting his birthday gift. We'll have to wait until next week's episode to see how he makes amends for this misunderstanding.
 
2CountyFairs
2011-10-17 08:51:51 AM
Skr: Little did he know, she was just up in uptown getting his birthday gift. We'll have to wait until next week's episode to see how he makes amends for this misunderstanding.

Little did he know, Frank Castle stole her phone.
 
Nem Wan
2011-10-17 09:05:31 AM
The iPhone clearly shows at the top of the screen if location services is turned on. If it's off it's not sending GPS to anyone. If Wi-Fi is off then it isn't using geolocated routers for positioning either. That leaves cell tower triangulation, and that might be accurate within a mile. I know because I made the mistake of installing firmware 6.15 on a jailbroken iPhone 3G to get iOS 4 and lost GPS and can't get good positioning without a Wi-Fi fix.

If you put the iPhone in airplane mode it's not sending or receiving anything.
 
Farking Canuck
2011-10-17 09:06:24 AM
Didn't all these threads already happen when Google introduced 'Latitude' years ago??
 
Green Scorpio
2011-10-17 09:08:41 AM
Slaxl: dookdookdook: Have you been awake for the last decade?

The technology for the government to track the movements of every last one of us is pretty much here. All we need now is another 9/11 for America to collectively crap its pants again and willingly give the government permission to do it (if they aren't already).


Exactly, that's my point, smartphones with an app that tells your friends your location isn't the final straw in terms of government tracking. That happened a long time ago back in the days of standard old timey mobile phones. If they could track you then, they could track you now even if you didn't use this app that it was suggested aided government tracking.

It used to be that they had to have a warrant. Then all they needed was probable cause. Once I saw the federal govt patting down people for simply trying to travel I knew we were in trouble.

Thanks patriot act.
 
The My Little Pony Killer [TotalFark]
2011-10-17 09:25:07 AM
So Myspace and Facebook aren't enough for you weirdos, now you're resorting to stalking each other via GPS on your iphones.

Just stop turning around and biatching about loss of privacy. You idiots have asked for it, over and over.
 
darkscout
2011-10-17 10:01:07 AM
This is unique to 4S how?
LMG "GPS Logger" FY

Or get yourself one of these.

I took one when I traveled India. The battery will last at least 12 hours. Toss it in the bottom of her purse. She'll probably go "Hrm, wonder what this is" and ignore it.
 
Masso
2011-10-17 10:29:42 AM
Well, did she like the new iphone though.
 
animal900
2011-10-17 10:30:30 AM
Find My iPhone has been doing this forever, without an app installed - it's native to iOS. I can see where my wife and her iPhone 4 are, she can see where I and my 3gs are, and we can see the location of our son's iPod when it has wifi access.

It links to your iTunes account, so you wouldn't be able to see friends or anyone with a different account though.
 
MightyPez
2011-10-17 10:44:50 AM
darkscout: This is unique to 4S how?
LMG "GPS Logger" FY

Or get yourself one of these.

I took one when I traveled India. The battery will last at least 12 hours. Toss it in the bottom of her purse. She'll probably go "Hrm, wonder what this is" and ignore it.

Hell, a friend of mine tracked where his dad was going buying an old used POS GPS with basic logging and throwing it into the trunk of his car.

The fact that a phone was used just means it was more convenient.
 
Smiths
2011-10-17 11:06:02 AM
Farking Canuck: Didn't all these threads already happen when Google introduced 'Latitude' years ago??

What is latitude? this is a new feature only on iPhones. Apple invented this. You must be talking about something like a globe.
 
Boxcutta
2011-10-17 11:34:01 AM
Smiths: Farking Canuck: Didn't all these threads already happen when Google introduced 'Latitude' years ago??

What is latitude? this is a new feature only on iPhones. Apple invented this. You must be talking about something like a globe.

Apple: The Howard Stern of Companies. Everyone's ripping them off. Tell 'em, Fred. Hoo.
 
SFSailor
2011-10-17 11:43:02 AM
Nem Wan: If you put the iPhone in airplane mode it will tell you that it's not sending or receiving anything.

FTFY!

/ adjusts tin foil under baseball cap
 
Cuthbert Allgood
2011-10-17 12:31:44 PM
Masso: Well, did she like the new iphone though.

Yeah, I know, right? Did she?

Also this:

sarah_t_s: didn't you know the reverse vampires

No, I didn't know about reverse vampires, tell me more.
 
Dinjiin
2011-10-17 01:07:35 PM
dookdookdook: Honestly, what's the practical difference between tracking someone with a GPS built into a phone they obsessively keep with them at all times and a sub-dermal government computer chip?

You are aware that you can be tracked to within a few hundred feet using cell tower triangulation? Several governments have mandated higher triangulation accuracy as part of their E911/999 programs in order to aid in response of people with non-GPS enabled phones. If I have the GPS radio in my phone disabled, the map and navigation programs will fall back to tower triangulation until they can get a GPS lock. It is often spot on.

If you don't want people to track you, you need to power your mobile handset off when not in use. Or just not use one at all.
 
just passing through
2011-10-17 01:30:45 PM
Hmmm, this is probably cheaper than the p.i. I've had tailing my girl's every move for the past year.

No, I'm not really doing that.
 
farkeruk
2011-10-17 02:17:57 PM
No, she was allegedly not in the Meatpacking district.

Well, she was certainly getting some tube steak.
 
caddisfly
2011-10-17 03:05:25 PM
I Am The Egg Matt Drudge Smears Upon His Body: There's a much cheaper app out there that's a lot more fun and comes with little to no headaches.

It's called the "Stay Single" app.

[sturmundslang.com image 343x343]

/that guy's app came with the "give up half your stuff" option

//no thanks

www.theluxuryspot.com

/early adapter of that app
 
maxximillian
2011-10-17 03:50:29 PM
Skr: Little did he know, she was just up in uptown getting his birthday gift. We'll have to wait until next week's episode to see how he makes amends for this misunderstanding.

If this story was real their marriage died a long time ago. If his 'proof' was that she lied about where she was one time and that's all he needed to convincing himself she was cheating he should have gotten the divorce a long time ago. that is to say if all it takes is one "ZOMG She said she was here and the app said she was in fact over here" then end the farce, he never trusted her and he never would have. Yes it sucks if she was cheating on him but this guy seems like a tool anyway.

/I actually knew a guy that started trippin (as he said) once when his girl went out and and wouldn't say where she was going. She came back with a big screen tv for his birthday. You could hear it in his voice how thankful he was that he didn't say something stupid.
 
burndtdan
2011-10-17 03:53:04 PM
dookdookdook: This type of crap is why I use a sh*tty old flip phone with a pay-as-you-go plan and don't even carry it with me if I can help it.

Honestly, what's the practical difference between tracking someone with a GPS built into a phone they obsessively keep with them at all times and a sub-dermal government computer chip?

/*replaces tinfoil hat and checks outside window for black helicopters*

a subdermal computer chip would not be able to output a signal to track without a power source?

do they stick a couple of AA batteries up your ass while you sleep?
 
Teenwolf
2011-10-17 04:20:51 PM
burndtdan: dookdookdook: This type of crap is why I use a sh*tty old flip phone with a pay-as-you-go plan and don't even carry it with me if I can help it.

Honestly, what's the practical difference between tracking someone with a GPS built into a phone they obsessively keep with them at all times and a sub-dermal government computer chip?

/*replaces tinfoil hat and checks outside window for black helicopters*

a subdermal computer chip would not be able to output a signal to track without a power source?

do they stick a couple of AA batteries up your ass while you sleep?

www.thousandtyone.com
 
Babies with Rabies
2011-10-17 06:42:08 PM
i234.photobucket.com
 
El Morro
2011-10-17 09:18:09 PM
I Am The Egg Matt Drudge Smears Upon His Body: MeinRS6: I wouldn't have that crap on my phone.

/ftfy

The iPhone is a "crap phone"? Really?

C'mon, man. Hate on Apple/Jobs/iPhones all you want, but as a business owner, I can safely say that the iPhone is FAR from "crap".

Dropbox access to files, gmail app, scanner app, NY subway map on demand, ability to read PDF's, Kindle app, and way more have helped me a ton. The only Apple product I own is the 4G, but I'll never go to any phone that can't give me at least that much utility in the future. The Iphone does that for me, and I'm happy with it so far.

/haters gonna hate, I suppose
 
doctx
2011-10-18 03:24:29 AM
El Morro: I Am The Egg Matt Drudge Smears Upon His Body: MeinRS6: I wouldn't have that crap on my phone.

/ftfy

The iPhone is a "crap phone"? Really?

e

I dont think he was hating on the iPhone but the app. "I wouldn't have that crap on my phone"
 
El Morro
2011-10-19 11:59:38 AM
doctx: I dont think he was hating on the iPhone but the app. "I wouldn't have that crap on my phone"

Ahhh... good point. I stand corrected.
 
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