How does trapster work

Obviously Trapster is just a tool to let you know where common speed traps are so you can slow down. You can even setup Push Notifications to alert you of traps. Also, you can record your trips to view for later and even share them with friends. For a free iPhone app download, Trapster is one heck of an app. You can even login online and view maps of areas around the world. Part of that is because of the simplicity of adding new traps, which is a one button affair if you have the application running on your Nokia or Blackberry smartphone.

Coming in a couple of weeks is an iPhone version of the application which will take advantage of the geopositioning that made its way into the maps application in an earlier software update. Despite the free price, there are a few hindrances.

The stock warning sounds are a little alarming , but you can go in and rename and rerecord the warning with your own voice.

You're also missing out on the radar and laser protection you'd get with a real radar detector, which tend to work a little faster than the mobile phone alerts.

I'm still in love with the idea though, and for the cheapskate out there with a compatible handset, this is almost as good an alternative as being a safe and responsible driver. As well as working with cops, Trapster is also working on its business plan.

Funded by private equity, the company gives the app away for free but has several potential sources of revenue. The plan is to grow first, then monetize. As well as revenue, goofy voices boost word-of-mouth. There are lots of apps that are location-based but very few that people leave open as they drive around. Apple prohibits using location-based services for advertising, unless they have turn-by-turn navigation.

However, people use navigation apps on average just five minutes per month, Tenereillo says. Once installed, Trapster [iTunes Link] combines technologies such as GPS and wireless location, voice transcription, geocoding, reverse geocoding, and SMS, with a central database server.

It communicates in real time, using the Internet and alerts you in real-time of any reported speed traps in your area. When a Trapster user spots a police trap, he reports it by pressing a button on his iPhone, or calling a toll free number.

When you approach the same area running Trapster on your phone, you get an alert, and then you can confirm that the trap is indeed in that area.