trapster
Here’s a recommendation for an iPhone app: Trapster. Trapster allows you to view and identify speedtraps. The application even provides a voice warning system to warn you of oncoming known traps.
I have to admit though that I am recommending it for my own benefit. Because trapster is a perfect example of Network Effects.
The standard example to demonstrate Network Effects is the telephone. The more people have and use the telephone, the more valuable the system becomes.
Well with trapster, as people contribute their knowledge of speedtraps, all local trapster users benefit. The application allows you to rate existing traps as well as delete ones on your map.
Even more critical is the ability to identify live speed traps in real-time. I won’t go into the details here of all the features. Best to check the site for that. I have yet to understand how Trapster Trusted Groups work. Perhaps someone can post a comment explaining.
I will however recommend it be used with a car adapter. I have seen it suck the life out of my battery when not connected to a charger.
Does it work?…
I was out for lunch one day with a buddy from work and wanted to demonstrate the voice feature. So we went in search of the closest trap identified, which wasn’t hard to do given the number of traps in the Markham vicinity. As we went approached the voice came on and warned “Warning, approaching common speed trap” or something to that effect. And as we went over the hill I said, “It says the trap is usually over …” and before I could finish my sentence, we both were stunned in silence as we caught the glimpse of a man in uniform pointing his laser gun at us…. Needless to say my buddy was convinced. :)
The app is also available for Blackberry, Andriod phones, etc.
