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GPS-server tracking

Hello Guys,

i have plans to get an app for android for my family to locate several vehicles and phones in real time.

Searching for likely any advice/recommendation from others maybe using GPS-tracker services for tracking vehicles etc. or any other valuable information.

Thank you in advance,

Gerhard
 
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That looks pretty fair as well.

GPS performance does seem to vary a lot by make and model of phone, so I think it's a good idea to test any of these to ensure compatibility and accuracy as well as working as desired.

Another thing to watch for is power draw. You definitely don't want to be counting on contributing to your loved ones' safety and then have one of them unable to make an emergency call due to a dead battery. For good mobile chargers that won't break the bank, check out monoprice.com. Good idea to get the habit for everyone to just plug in to car power just as soon as they start up and before they pull away.

While you're at safety, search the Play Store for car mode - I have an app that came with my phone and I love it - less of a distraction while driving. I've picked one at random to give you the idea if you're not familiar with this.

Check out "Car dashdroid- Car dashboard"

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.nezdroid.cardashdroid
 
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Good point, EarlyMon,

as i am further in checking some apps, thanks for advices again.

I can definitely find that lots of them intend to charge you for whatever additional action or option you are willing to take.

So, perhaps one time purchase with a whole bunch of functions included could be even more practical and won't break the bank.
 
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I'm not sure but I *think* they're the vendor the carriers use to offer family tracking. I don't use it because I don't need anything that comprehensive but we're empty-nesters.

Check out "Family Locator"

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.life360.android.safetymapd

It's a bit pricey -

https://www.life360.com/premium/

But evidently you can try it for a month for free.

You'll notice that most if not all of these apps are the best at GPS tracking. Yeah ok. See my first rant about checking per phone for compatibility, etc etc. ;) :)
 
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The interesting thing i have learned already, that:

in some more advanced apps you can manually adjust the time frequency the data is sent for example between 30-120 seconds, the larger the gap the power consumption is lower on battery at least with GPS tracker app from GPS-server.net

But, i am wondering if the location services on android settings could be switched off-on as well during refresh data time to increase battery efficiency too. How do you think?

Also, my attention got your advice concerning "Waze" program as it also monitors the area of program users and you can be advised of possible traffic on your selected road.
 
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Location services basically set up a fence, saying in effect, when location data are required, you may go this far: choose from list. In your case, it'll be high accuracy with GPS.

I leave GPS on all of the time and get great battery life.

Power consumption is dictated by the apps requiring it. Today I used Google Maps to navigate, GPS was on for over an hour, and power consumption was high. Otherwise, mine just snicks on and off quickly every few hours to confirm my weather location and power consumption is negligible.

So it is with tracking apps. If you initiate occasional queries from your end pulling the location using the Android Device Manager, or Where's My Droid (the original tracking app), power consumption will be minimal. Using a full featured service that constantly updates information pushed from the phone will cost more power and as you've found, configurations can vary.
 
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Also as it comes clear now,
your app would also not be approved by google play if it "tweeks" with location services in settings off-on as it in general must only be manually engaged or disengaged or i could be wrong?

Good saying EarlyMon, wondering if you can find your phone with GPS on by Same app on the web
if you let's say lost your phone and now want to track "yourself" but not necessarily you "pluged" your phone in tracking object list.
 
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Good morning!

Yes, with the exception of emergency operators (911 in the US) only you can turn on and set location services and enable the GPS radio.

I'm not entirely sure about what you're asking, so if this doesn't cover it, please ask again -

WifelyMon is sometimes forgetful and has had her phone stolen on top of that. Over the years, I've used a family tracker, Where's My Droid, and the Android Device Manager to find her phone, usually left at this or that girlfriend's house. Anymore and I make sure that whenever anyone in the family gets a new phone, we verify that tracking via the web works as part of the basic setup.

I was able to find my wife's phone once with the Android Device Manager without prior setup or testing but I wouldn't recommend relying on that. Best to be prepared.
 
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Good afternoon, EarlyMon :)

overall i see you covered well. To even be more precide and clear in short words:

am i able to track my phone if it is not on trackable list or maybe it is "auto" on it by default as i install the program?
In addition are you required to install the app to other phones you are willing to track or it is enought, let us say to add google play account details and the phone user is not even aware the phone is on tracking?

Heh..short words got a bit longer than i thought :D
 
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From our discussion context, I'm guessing that the question about more stealthy tracking would be for the children in the family, so for that, you want to search the Play Store for "parental control" and you'll find a good range suitable from the very young to teenagers, most of which will require a password to change or defeat.

True stealth monitoring falls under the illegal category in most jurisdictions, you won't find it in the Play Store but you will find it on criminal sites - we classify it with Spyware. That stuff you want to absolutely avoid. Everyone involved will have personal details stolen with the end goals of spam, scamming, identity theft and worse as the result. If you think about it, schemes to defeat location control that aren't above board go directly against your protections we discussed earlier.

But you can probably get the kids set up so that they don't know when you're tracking them or to what extent - they'll only know that you can.
 
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Good Morning, EarlyMon,

to be honest havn't even thought about where this could lead and if it can become even illegal.
Maybe that is where curiosity could lead us with the topic.

But the idea is in this case you can track stolen phone +- dependent on range by phone's IMEI if your
GSM operator agrees to help ofcourse.
 
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Well in this situation i believe it is up to personal point of view how or what to decide.
It is good if the device is insured, but if it is not and you do not have a cloud where you have all the backup with stuff inside the phone. You badly need the phone itself.

Anyway, might anyone have been familiar with any software who is both GPS tracking and Smart House orientated?
 
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After all there are few on top, well advertised programs with massive download figures, but are they any good or so much more better in general comparing them with newer or not so continent wise popular ones like GPS Tracker WP or any else as i can find truly hundreds of them. And the problem appears to be the choice.

Generally, why should any "wrong" or "bad" app be put in google store? or i am wrong in something i do not get.
 
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