phone tracking app with only Tower Triangulation?

[cyberpine]

Got two young sons under 14yo with cell phones now. I'd like to set up phone tracking, but without having to pay a service or have them turn on GPS on their phones.

Any good Android Applications?

We live there are lots of towers.. often within 10 miles of 5 towers. How good will Triangulation accuracy be? Is a good way to test triangulation to open up google maps indoors? I just did that and I was off by about 10 blocks.. maybe a 1/2 mile.

Any application that keeps GPS always on without prompting?

 

[Rovers]

Got two young sons under 14yo with cell phones now. I'd like to set up phone tracking, but without having to pay a service or have them turn on GPS on their phones.

Any good Android Applications?

We live there are lots of towers.. often within 10 miles of 5 towers. How good will Triangulation accuracy be? Is a good way to test triangulation to open up google maps indoors? I just did that and I was off by about 10 blocks.. maybe a 1/2 mile.

Any application that keeps GPS always on without prompting?

Exactly. Cell-tower triangulation is off by about half a mile on average. GPS

 

[cyberpine]

We are the phone owners and admins. They are still minors

Yeah, on demand would be ideal!

Just tested Plan B. Problem is their phones have their gmail accounts configured not mine and I also don't want them to see an SMS or the the screen to do anything when we try to loca them.

Something like Plan B, but with a web interface would be ideal.

I've also been testing GPS Tracker from Instamapper and when it works it works great, but at times it's not working for me.

Phone Locator looks good, but $5/mo??

I'd like something that runs in the background with no indication it's running even when doing a locate or tracking.

 

[funpig]

I just loaded Zoner on my phone. The locator function (and GPS) is only activated by a text from another phone. One neat feature is that when the activating text is sent by the other phone, you cannot see the text on your phone. The idea is not to tip off any thief holding your phone that you are tracking your lost or stolen phone. I joked with my wife that now she can track me without me knowing. Of course, if the app is uninstalled, then you will lose the ability to locate. This is a common problem with all of these locator apps with the exception of maybe Plan B which is installed after the fact.

PS. Zoner will only show you the location at that particular moment. It will not follow or track you. You will need to send another text if the phone is moved.

 

[Rovers]

Just tested Plan B. Problem is their phones have their gmail accounts configured not mine and I also don't want them to see an SMS or the the screen to do anything when we try to loca them.

[...]

I'd like something that runs in the background with no indication it's running even when doing a locate or tracking.

Plan B was developed to be used AFTER the phone is lost or stolen. So I don't think it will show on the phone when you send it that SMS. That would defeat the object of the exercise, wouldn't it? But there's an easy way to make sure: just do a test run with your own and your wife's phone and watch the screen for giveaways...

And since Plan B does not reside on their phones under normal circumstances (i.e. when you don't track them) there is nothing for them to detect.

 

[cyberpine]

I just loaded Zoner on my phone. The locator function (and GPS) is only activated by a text from another phone. One neat feature is that when the activating text is sent by the other phone, you cannot see the text on your phone. The idea is not to tip off any thief holding your phone that you are tracking your lost or stolen phone. I joked with my wife that now she can track me without me knowing. Of course, if the app is uninstalled, then you will lose the ability to locate. This is a common problem with all of these locator apps with the exception of maybe Plan B which is installed after the fact.

PS. Zoner will only show you the location at that particular moment. It will not follow or track you. You will need to send another text if the phone is moved.

Zoner does not list under market on my Gingerbread Epic. This sounds perfect if the from email does not show up on the phones account and you can configure the to email. Also if the sms trigger message you send never comes up on the phone.

Anything out there like this?

 

[cyberpine]

Plan B was developed to be used AFTER the phone is lost or stolen. So I don't think it will show on the phone when you send it that SMS. That would defeat the object of the exercise, wouldn't it? But there's an easy way to make sure: just do a test run with your own and your wife's phone and watch the screen for giveaways...

And since Plan B does not reside on their phones under normal circumstances (i.e. when you don't track them) there is nothing for them to detect.

But the from and to email are set by default to the phones account (which of course is their account).. Not good. I'm looking for a stealthly way to locate a phone that might be in use (not neccessarily lost) without tipping off or annoying my soon to be teenage sons. For their safety, but also to keep tabs on their location. I don't need history or tracking and ideally don't want anything running 24x7, but rather on demand. If it can automatically turn on GPS or try GSM Triangulation for the best available location this would be an awesome application if it exsist.

 

[Rovers]

But the from and to email are set by default to the phones account (which of course is their account).. Not good.

You're assuming that it is visible on the phone. Don't assume! Test it for yourself!

I'm looking for a stealthly way to locate a phone that might be in use (not neccessarily lost) without tipping off or annoying my soon to be teenage sons. For their safety, but also to keep tabs on their location.

I understand and even commend you on your motivation but consider the damage to their trust in you when they discover you track them! And Murphy's Law says they will! Then they will never trust you again! That is at stake!

I don't need history or tracking and ideally don't want anything running 24x7, but rather on demand. If it can automatically turn on GPS or try GSM Triangulation for the best available location this would be an awesome application if it exsist.

That's Plan B.

 

[cyberpine]

That's Plan B.

I have it installed and don't see how you configure outbound email?

 

[cyberpine]

I have it installed and don't see how you configure outbound email?

Also, I just tested the free version and sent a Locate to my phone and had the phone open and the Planb screen jumps out.. far from stealthy..

IMO, Has the potential to be an incredible application though if :

- you can configure outbound email address
- Does not show the Locate txt message .. which it does.
- PlanB launches without alerting phone user (launches in stealth mode)
- A scheduler feature would also be nice too (location notifications on these days/times)

 

[Rovers]

If you do it stealthy your relationship with them will be irreparably damaged when they find out. Because they will.

Also tracking them 24/7, or for hours everyday anyway, will destroy their battery life, and their (your) dataplans for which you're paying!

Good luck!