Find Me Here

This app makes it simple to send your location to someone in a text message.

This GPS-locating app was designed specifically to make it as simple and foolproof as possible to send someone your location as a URL (web link) in a text message. No copying and pasting is needed and everything can be done quickly and intuitively within this app.

When the recipient receives your text message and clicks and opens its embedded URL in a web browser, Google Maps is opened showing your location with a marker. The recipient can then use the standard Google Maps features to navigate to your location, etc. The recipient needs only to have a cell phone with a web browser - the make and model are unimportant.

Using the app: This app first determines your location using GPS and shows your location as a marker on an embedded Google Maps window. You can switch between map and satellite views in this window as needed to confirm your position. If you wish you can adjust your position by dragging the marker in the map window. This feature is handy, for example, it you would like to be found or picked up at a slightly different location than where you are at the moment.

You then select a contact from your Google contacts or simply enter a cell phone number directly. The app then shows you a preview of the generated text message and allows you to edit the recipient's phone number and/or add additional message text. Pressing the send button transmits the text message to the recipient. The app will show you status as the text message is being sent, has been sent, and usually when it has been delivered.

Notes:

1. This app was designed for cell phones since it requires SMS (a.k.a. text messaging) to work. It locks the phone in portrait mode for ease of use.

2. You will be reminded to turn on location services if they are not already enabled when the app is launched.

3. Displaying map data, particularly in satellite view mode, uses data from your wireless plan unless a wi-fi connection is being used instead.

4. A user preference setting is provided to set the minimum GPS accuracy to use for establishing your location. The default setting of 50 feet provides reasonable location accuracy within a short period of time. Better accuracy can be set and obtained, but it will take somewhat longer to find your location. This setting is accessible using the bullseye menu button at the top right of the first screen.