Glympse App Review
The new mobile Glympse app is one of the first location sharing applications to allow users to provide positioning data to a selected group of friends or business colleagues for a set time. Developed by a group of former Microsoft employees, this application puts a creative new twist on traditional mobile device tracking.
So what’s the big deal about Glympse and how is it different from other similar cell phone tracker apps? This particular app is unique because it addresses one of the biggest concerns associated with publicly sharing GPS based tracking data; privacy. Unlike many similar applications, sharing information is as simple as selecting someone from your contact list, setting a time, and touching the send key.
Best of all, the data recipient only needs access to the Internet; no software is necessary. You can even send data directly to your social networking accounts. The app is now available on the three major smart phone platforms including Android, iPhone, and Windows Mobile with more platforms coming soon.
Most location sharing applications require the user to log-in and establish a personal network before they can work. Glympse users can simply download the app, select any entry from the contacts list, choose a custom time duration and press the send key to start sharing data immediately; no new account is necessary.
The user on the receiving end gets an email or text message with a special URL that will allow them to see your data on any internet-enabled device until the chosen time period expires. The sender has the unique ability to pause the data feed or cancel the Glympse entirely at any time.
This provides complete control over who sees your location at all times so you can enjoy all the benefits of location sharing without any of the risk! Glympse is a great way to time meetings with friends, instantly share an update on your location, or inform a family member that you've arrived safely at your destination. While this app does a great job of sharing snapshots of your GPS based data, it is probably best suited for social networking.
If you are looking for an application to track your workouts or store a large volume of historical routes, you may want to opt for something else. For the purpose of letting friends and family members know where you are or when you will arrive, this program earns high marks.
