Nokia N95

salada2k · #1 06-29-2007, 02:52 PM

Found this little tool whilst looking for an internet ping utility of theirs which unfortunately doesn't support N95.

It's called Aspicore GSM Tracker, and it looks like something that I've been after from my N95, the true ability to remotely track someone that may have stolen your phone... Although that's not what this program is aimed at, its more aimed at enterprise fleet tracking, but I dont see why it cant be used for aforementioned purpose, in fact it says on the site 'also for personal location tracking'.

Will it work with N95 internal GPS? YES. Clearly stated support for the N95 is right on the page! Also built in support for A-GPS from the sounds of it(??) Or at least maybe their implementation of, as it states it uses GSM towers for positioning as well.

Having this application auto-start could honestly mean tracking down a thief (or your LOST phone) by logging on to the free gps tracking website that this program supports, GPSGate, and then tracking the phone on the web!!!! Whats more, if it was stolen and the SIM was changed, we could still track the phone. Have a read about it and see what you think... I think they're asking a very reasonable price, too. Maybe we should get this in the store, Admin?

For those you like me that like to get their hands dirty, you can download and modify their sample perl or Java scripts or write your own code that processes the UDP datagrams that the application will send over the internet, and store the data in an SQL database such as MYSQL. Drooling yet? *wipes chin*

It sounds awesome.

Aspicore GSM Tracker - GSM Tracking - GPS Location Tracking with Cell Phone

pseudofinn · #2 06-29-2007, 05:57 PM

Hmmmmm... I like it. Every little bit of protection against theft helps.

Well- not exactly a preventative measure, if I ever "lose" my N95- it's nice to know I can be hot on the trail and ready to seriously beat someone's unsuspecting ***.

salada2k · #3 06-29-2007, 06:03 PM

I think it offers a slight glimmer of hope over Phone Guardian though.

On a slightly funner note: Think you're wife is cheating? Don't quite buy that she's staying the night at a friends? Can't be bothered following her in your car? Or she actually borrowed your car anyway? You could 'bug' her with your N95 just to make sure. We're not paranoid, just technically able! I'm sure you could find a good use for it....

TMAC01 · #4 06-29-2007, 07:24 PM

the one advantage an app like phone guardian provides is the ability to prevent the thief from being able to use your phone without help. The app runs invisible, cannot be uninstalled without a pin, and your phone requires a pin to hard reset as well (if u do it using the code, dont know about the button combo).

Unless they know what theyre doing, the phone will be useless to them, and your provider can easily track them down if the phone is on by using either your phone number/cell id, or theirs if they switched SIMs.

Also, consider that this program can easily be stopped by a thieaf who knows anything about the phone. Lastly, im wondering how much ram this takes up. For it to be of any use at all agsindt thieves, its gotta be on ALL the time (who knows when yor phone will get taken).

salada2k · #5 07-02-2007, 01:25 AM

Yeah if you rely on you provider to do such a thing. I don't believe you can trust that. I'm thinking vigilante style with a baseball bat, or maybe just some words. (LOL - Yeah right) Look, I think phone guardian is awesome, and a must have. But for me, nothing can beat actually knowing for sure where it is, if it's not in my pocket. Bear in mind that I'm also referring to the scenario of a lost phone, and not only a stolen one, if you lost your phone in the middle of nowhere can phone guardian really help you?

I've also emailed the developers in regards to silent startup, and application protection (PIN, etc) and will post when they respond.

Mechdon · #6 07-05-2007, 09:35 AM

Salada2k, thanks for the tip...this is real cool. Have you tried this application yourself?

salada2k · #7 07-05-2007, 10:59 AM

No not yet, but I receicved an email from the developers..

"Thank you for questions and suggestions. See the answers under."

ME: Hi, I'm wondering if you could advise on the suitability of using this product as a means of tracing a lost mobile phone, or indeed a thief.

THEM: Our Aspicore GSM Tracker is currently not targeted for tracing the phone itself, you can use it to trace your stolen car, but you have to hide and power the phone properly.

ME: I have some specific questions I was hoping you could answer for me please:

ME: - Is the application able to be disabled/uninstalled by an unauthorised user?

THEM: - Exiting the software can be prevented, but the user can uninstall the software.

ME: - Is there a facility for 'PIN' code locking for changing options/disabling/uninstalling?

THEM: - Not at the moment.

ME: - Is the application able to run in 'hidden' mode?

THEM: - It can run in the backround, but user can see it in the task list.

ME: - Does the application have the ability to 'auto-start' silently without user-interaction?

THEM: - It can autostart, but the user sees it starting.

ME: I think it's a fantastic product and the fact you support the internal GPS of the Nokia N95 makes this particularly attractive for me, and hundreds of other N95 owners who have shown interest in these types of applications in the user groups.

THEM: Yes, N95 is quite expensive phone. There might be a market for this kind of software.

======================

So, as you can see, it does just about everything we want, it just lacks a 'Stealth' mode. BUT: We may be able to use other software to achieve this. AFAIK, we can already get a product, that will PIN protect applications from being uninstalled. Thats one tick on this list.

All we really need then, is a 'Stealth Application Launcher' that silently launches the application, and hides it from the process list... Even better, so as to avoid battery drain, we would want to send an SMS to the phone which would activate the application.

That, in conjunction with Phone Guardian to remotely lock the phone, would be perfect!!

pseudofinn · #8 07-05-2007, 11:02 AM

What is their intended use of the product then? I must be missing something...

salada2k · #9 07-05-2007, 11:14 AM

Mobile Workforce Fleet tracking, although it could of course be used just to track the phone, as that is what's being tracked anyway? Not sure about what point he was trying to make there.

Mechdon · #10 07-07-2007, 05:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by salada2k

Will it work with N95 internal GPS? YES. Clearly stated support for the N95 is right on the page! Also built in support for A-GPS from the sounds of it(??) Or at least maybe their implementation of, as it states it uses GSM towers for positioning as well.
Aspicore GSM Tracker - GSM Tracking - GPS Location Tracking with Cell Phone

Yes, we can get A-GPS (Assisted GPS) functionality even before version 12 firmware upgrade is released. I tried this and was able to get a gps fix indoors. Cool program.