App that secretly tracks location? I need it for my taxi company.

[bostoncab]

I need an app that will secretly track the location of android phones that I own.

I know someone is going to jump in here and start screaming about privacy..blah blah blah. Let me say that I would normally agree with you but we are talking about a particular situation here.

I own some taxis in the greater Boston area. The drivers are required to share a % of each fare with me. It is common for drivers in this structure to cheat people like me by picking up customers and taking them for a set rate without turning on the meter.

I am not looking to read text messages or intercept phone calls or anything nutty. I just want to make sure I am getting my fair share of revenue. FYI my drivers make a higher % than any other local company.

 

[jerofld]

Even if you do install an app that does it, it's not going to be all that secret. GPS is a major draw on battery charge. Some phones even heat up a bit more than normal when GPS is running. But, you could try Latitude. It's a pre-installed Google app. It may not be secret enough for you. You could also look into some parental control apps. But they might be more than what you're looking for.

I just think you're better off installing GPS trackers into the cars themselves.

 

[John Redcorn]

you can setup tasker to send lat/long coords by sms every x minutes or on demand by sending a special sms to the tracked phone.

On your end though all you have is lat long coords, not a nice map of everywhere they've been.

If they're newer htc phones, you can register them with htcsense.com and see loc on a map. This didn't work so well though the last time I tried it a few months ago while I was still using the stock rom.

 

[Chaco]

u can use cheap car chargers and wire them to the car permanently... then install the phone in the glovebox or something and turn in MY TRACKS from google... it will record speed, location, elevation, etc etc and you can even see the maps on a web browser. just have to start it before your driver gets on the car.

 

[bostoncab]

The phones are more or less always pugged in anyway.

For the guy who suggested installing gps trackers in the cars can you find me one for under $200?

 

[nerdstaz]

The phones are more or less always pugged in anyway.

For the guy who suggested installing gps trackers in the cars can you find me one for under $200?

froogle.com is your friend

gps tracker - Google Search

Buy.com - Tiny Tracker Historical GPS

The second one seems to get good reviews on other sites

 

[bostoncab]

froogle.com is your friend

gps tracker - Google Search

Buy.com - Tiny Tracker Historical GPS

The second one seems to get good reviews on other sites

The products you are linking me to are not real time. I will have to retrieve the equipment hook it to a pc download the information...

Please no more alternative suggestions Mr. Helpers. If someone can answer my question I would appreciate it.

 

[Johnny Cakes]

What you are looking for is a program like Mobile Defense. Unfortunately, I believe they are still in closed beta, but there are many other programs like that.

This will permit you to locate a telephone on a map and follow it in real time as it moves down the street.

Using Mobile Defense, I follow my spouse's telephone starting around 5:00 p.m. and can watch exactly where she is and thus when to toss dinner in the oven. The accuracy is amazing, down to the exact block she is in.

 

[Hadron]

Since it's 3 years since the last post I assume that bostoncab either found a solution by now or gave up in the meanwhile.

But welcome to the forum. If you'd like to announce your app here, we have a dedicated forum for that