[bedwards1000]

Does anybody know of an app that will do tracking on demand on Android? I want something that can be installed on the phones that will not always be running GPS and draining the batter. If I (or my wife) is running late the other person can ping the other phone to wake it up and get a GPS position then go back to sleep after a set period of time. I can't be relied on to start a tracking app especially if I am running late.

Google Latitude use to do this but it's gotten progressively worse and I think it only gives cell tower based position unless the GPS happens to be running.

 

[newfangled]

Unfortunately I can't help, but I don't know that you're going to find anything since android has restrictions on one-click enabling of gps. Running a custom ROM might let you do it, but I'm no expert.

 

[Tomahawk3Niner]

I think the closest you'll get is this one: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fsp.android.c

GPS still needs to be turned on for accuracy. It claims it works on cell triangulation too... but I've never tried it.

FWIW I leave my GPS enabled full time and experience no battery drain due to it being on, if no GPS enabled apps are being used. This particular app only uses GPS when someone is trying to ping your phone. I've not seen any measurable battery drain using this app than when I have the app disabled.

 

[bedwards1000]

Thanks Tomahawk, That seems to be what I am looking for. I leave my GPS enabled but not active. I want other people to be able to enable it if they are looking for me. I'm guessing that is what this does. I'll give it a try.

 

[Tomahawk3Niner]

Yeah that should work for you pretty well then.

 

[bedwards1000]

...When we upgrade our phones. It needs Android 2.3 and we are on 2.2. Since I have the first generation Galaxy S it's time anyway.

 

[pop_martian]

You might give Tasker a try. It basically follows if/then rules but can be pretty useful. You can set it to turn gps on for any number of given scenarios.

 

[Texan-n-Fla]

Anything like this out there for iOS?