New types of maps

You can now share satellite, hybrid, and terrain maps. The map type can be chosen in our HTML wizard.

Android client is now available

http://www.instamapper.com/android

Data deletion

The data manager that we mentioned in the previous post also allows you to delete data with a high degree of control. To access the feature, login, click on "Devices" at the top of the screen, then click on "[data]". Mark the endpoints of a track, then click "Delete".

Tracks

A couple of days ago we added support for tracks in InstaMapper. To define a track, go to the data explorer (login -> "Devices" -> "[data]"), then select the endpoints. After a track is saved, it can be shared just like your current location. Here is an example:




You can also link to a track (http://www.instamapper.com/trk?key=13916004634505324941) and export a track as a GIF image:




Tracks can contain up to 10,000 points. There is no limit on the total number of tracks in an account.

Facebook App improvements

We have made some improvements to our Facebook app. The tracking map can now be embedded on the wall tab of the profile. To install the app, visit

http://apps.facebook.com/instamapper

Version 1.1 is now available in App Store

Version 1.1 for iPhone to be released soon

http://www.instamapper.com/iphone11_preview.html

Doing well in App Store

After 4 days, we are the 56th most popular free app on iTunes. We are even more popular than NYTimes. Crazy.

iPhone 3G client released

After a long wait, InstaMapper's software is finally available in the App Store. Get it under the name "GPS Tracker".

iPhone 3G client

The iPhone 3G client for InstaMapper will be available as a free application at Apple Store, soon. Email your 40-digit device identifier to support@instamapper.com if you would like to be one of the beta testers. To locate your device ID, connect your iPhone, open iTunes, then click on the words "Serial number:".

Update 7/31: the beta program is now closed. Thanks to everyone who participated. InstaMapper should be available in the App Store within a few days.

A few new features

1) When accessing InstaMapper from a cell phone (http://mobile.instamapper.com), you will now see tracks in addition to the latest position.

2) Mobile interface now allows you to share and unshare devices.

3) All shared maps, even those embedded on blogs and Facebook, can now optionally show a track of up to 50 points. You can set the length of the track on the "Device sharing" page.

4) Mobile maps now have a "Refresh" link

Example of a shared map showing a track:

http://www.instamapper.com/ext?key=13944943870429649450

100k positions / device

We have upgraded our system to store 100k positions per device. This is enough for several months of historical data, even at very high update rates. Currently, this extra capacity is only visible when you export data ("Manage devices" -> "Export data"). There is still a limit of 1000 positions when plotting data on Google Maps and using the API. We will be adding many more ways to access and analyze the data later on. We are also aware of the privacy implications of this change. The amount of data that is kept per device will soon be configurable. We will also make it possible for you to delete tracking data.

The facebook app (beta) is now available

http://apps.facebook.com/instamapper/

Facebook app to launch soon

We are putting finishing touches on a Facebook app that will allow you to display your current location on your profile page.

Some images of the new mobile interface

Here are a couple of screenshots of our new mobile interface running on a BB 8130.

Not only can you track your devices from a phone, you can also share your location with friends who have cell phones. Mobile versions of passwordless links are now available on the "share device" page.

You can play with the new interface by tracking our demo car here:

http://mobile.instamapper.com/ext?key=13944943870429649450

Track from your cell phone

It is now possible to track devices directly from your cell phone. Give it a try:

http://mobile.instamapper.com

Map generator wizard

To get those embedded maps just right, we now have a wizard where you can tweak the dimensions of the map, units, zoom level, and a couple of other attributes.

Unit selection

For Europeans, Canadians, and pirates, we have added the option to display speed / distances in metric and nautical units.

To change units, go to "Manage devices", then click on "[edit device]".

Here are some examples:

http://www.instamapper.com/ext?key=13944943870429649450&units=metric
http://www.instamapper.com/ext?key=13944943870429649450&units=nautical

API access

We now allow API access to real-time and historical tracking data, using a simple HTTP-based API. Here is some sample data for our Demo car:

http://www.instamapper.com/api?action=getPositions&key=584014439054448247&num=10

As all InstaMapper features, API access is free. To enable API access, log into your account, click on "Manage devices", and then on "Configure API access".

Location sharing

We just launched a new feature that allows you to share your location with others. There are two options for sharing:

1) Send your friends a link to a map with your current location. Here is an example for our demo car:

http://www.instamapper.com/ext?key=13944943870429649450

2) Embed a map with your current location on a web page or blog. Again, an example for our demo car:




To enable sharing, log into your InstaMapper account and click on "Manage devices".