GPS Tracking Android App: Loc

 

Loc is a SMS based, subscription free Android app that you can use to track your assets through GPS.  Unlike most GPS trackers in the market that charge a monthly service fee on top of a mobile data subscription, Loc is SMS based, so your cost is only your network's SMS rate, which depending on your plan, can be zero.  It works by sending you a Google maps link of the mobile phone's location through SMS whenever you text it with the message "Loc".  You click the link, and it will bring you to a Google maps page with a pin marker showing where the phone is right at that moment.

Features:
1.  Sends a Google maps link of the phone's location through SMS upon request.



2.  Creates a log entry every second or minute of the phone's location, distance travelled, accuracy, speed, and battery status, which is stored in a log file.  The app also logs when tracking is stopped, the app is closed, and the phone is turned off.  You may upload this file to Google maps, to know the route your asset took to get to its destination.  You may also analyse this log using Google maps to find out any unexpected stops.

3.  Has a scheduled start function that kicks off tracking at a predetermined time, if you can't personally press the "Start" button.  This is useful if you're in a business that sends off trucks early in the morning.

4.  Minds your security by having an authorised list of contacts.  The app does not reply to whoever sends it a "Loc" message.  It only answers back if the sender is a contact that you will explicitly register as trusted.

5.  Does not have a monthly service fee, nor rely on a mobile data subscription.  You're in control of the costs.
6.  Runs in the background unless “Stop” or back button is pressed, so Android OS does not inadvertently close the app when it frees up memory.  The back button must be double tapped to prevent inadvertent closing of the app.

 
7.  Has an auto run option when the phone boots up, so you can tell your delivery guys to just reboot the phone if ever it hangs up, and the app starts tracking again.

8.  Has a continuous tracking option if battery life is not an issue.  The default setting is location data gathering is every minute.  With this feature enabled, the GPS is turned on all the time, and gathers location data every second.