Idea of the Day - A new idea each day. Some Don't Suck!

Our Latest Posts About: GPS

Can Waze CAUSE Traffic Jams?

Tuesday, June 13, 2017 10:28 PM By Joe Crescenzi

I HATE traffic reports.

To me, traffic reports are a complete waste of time. It doesn't matter whether it's on the radio, a GPS, or a mobile App like Waze. They simply don't save me any time when deciding whether to take an alternate route. If anything, they can make it worse.

I'll admit the concept is absolutely brilliant, but most of the time the information is too late to be useful and only serves to move a traffic jam from one place to another. When that happens, chances are you'll still end up in traffic, albeit in a new place.

If you came to a fork in the road where going right or left will take you the same place, in the same amount in time, but found out that there was a 30 minute traffic jam on the left side, what would you do? Assuming you were the only pers... [More]

Continue...Can Waze CAUSE Traffic Jams?...

Cruise Control That Adjusts to Speed Limit Changes

Thursday, September 22, 2016 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

We may be a few years away from self-driving cars, but here's a small step in that direction.

As a followup to an earlier post about having an App that warns you when the speed limit has changed, I think it would be great if cars using cruise control could automatically adjust to changes in the speed limit.

As I mentioned in a previous post, there are speed traps everywhere. Sometimes as you're driving along, the speed limit will suddenly change and you don't notice the signs in time to slow down, which can lead to a speeding ticket.

If the can make cars that can drive themselves, it should be pretty easy to at least make a cruise control that can automatically adjust to changes in the local speed limit.

An App That Tells You When You're Speeding.

Wednesday, September 21, 2016 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

Don't you hate Speed Traps?

I recently received a speeding ticket in the mail that included a photo of my car taken by a traffic camera. What bothered me most was that I'm one of the slowest drivers you will ever see on the road. I make it a point to always go no faster than the speed limit, but in this particular case, I wasn't aware that the speed limit in that particular area was lower than normal. It was a classic speed trap.

If I knew about the lower speed in that area, I definitely would've slowed down, and avoided the ticket. That's when I thought about the idea of an App that runs in the background on your iPhone that could tell you when you are driving over the speed limit. If such an App existed, it could've warned me before I approached the speed trap.

Apple's Maps App Needs an Intersection Feature

Monday, September 5, 2016 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

One thing missing from Apple's Maps App is the ability to get directions to an intersection.

One of my favorite features of a traditional GPS device is the ability to locate the intersection of two streets, because I often don't have an exact street address, but I know that it it's near an intersection.

So instead of guessing a number or name of your favorite Italian restaurant, it would be great to just tell the GPS to find the corner of Hylan Blvd and Benton Avenue.

Technically, you can specify an intersection manually, but there should be a specific feature with an icon that asks you for both street names.

This reminds me of other "Hidden" iPhone features, like Shake to Undo that should have a clear... [More]

Continue...Apple's Maps App Needs an Intersection Feature...

An Option To Pre-Load Maps on iPhone

Wednesday, June 15, 2016 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

The biggest drawback of using a SmartPhone as a GPS is that it can use a lot of mobile data loading maps.

Every time you use your mobile phone as a GPS, it uses mobile data to load the maps, even though you've driven the same roads almost every time you use it. Unless you've got an unlimited data plan, that's a waste.

Doesn't it make more sense that Apple at least gives you an option to pre-load the maps for your area? This not only would use less mobile data, but it would save quite a bit on your battery.

GPS Touring Mode for Smartphones. Send and Receive Scenic Routes to Multiple Destinations.

Wednesday, August 5, 2015 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

Remember AAA Trip Tiks?

Let's say you're Clark Griswold, and you've decided to take the family to Wally World. Of course, you could just get on a plane and be there in a couple of hours, but what's the fun in that? What if you wanted to not only drive... but take the scenic route?

For years, many people wouldn't even attempt such a trip without consulting AAA first, and getting a custom made "Trip Tk", mapping out how to get to and from each destination along the way.

Wouldn't it be great to have an option on your SmartPhone to send and receive downloadable routes that you can share with other people.

The first step in building this feature is for Apple or Google to create a universal file format that lets you exchange routes via SMS / Text or email. Once you've e... [More]

Continue...GPS Touring Mode for Smartphones. Send and Receive Scenic Routes to Multiple Destinations. ...

.GPS Domain Names

Friday, July 17, 2015 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

Domain names made it possible for computers to find computer IP addresses. Why not do the same with real addresses?

Sometimes it's frustrating finding an address using a GPS because you get the address wrong. An easy solution is for businesses or individuals to register an easy to remember .GPS domain name that points directly to their physical address.

Over the past, hundreds of new Generic Top Level Domains (gTLDs) such as .lawyer, .movie, and .relator were launched as an alternative to the classic TLDs like, .Com, .Net, and .org. These new TLDs make it possible to have a domain that has something more descriptive at the end, instead of just plain .Com.

My idea is to create a .GPS extension that specifically redirects to a geographic location, so it could be used by a... [More]

Continue....GPS Domain Names...

IPS - Indoor Positioning Systems

Thursday, March 5, 2015 1:00 AM By Joe Crescenzi

GPS can help you find anywhere in the world... as long as it's outside.

Like most people, the first time I used a GPS, I simply couldn't believe my eyes. Seeing your exact position on the map change as you drive, and even have it give you directions is nothing short of magic.

So, if GPS can help you find the nearest mall, today's idea is about finding your way INSIDE the mall.

The science behind GPS is pretty slick. Your GPS picks up signals from multiple satellites. By comparing these signals it can determine how far you are from each one. Since it knows where those satellites are supposed to be at any given time, it can triangulate your position with amazing accuracy.

Since satellite signals can't be picked up indoors, you can't use them to find your way to St... [More]

Continue...IPS - Indoor Positioning Systems...

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* Note: The ideas on "Idea of the Day" were posted without any formal research into existing inventions.

In some cases, patents may already exist for these ideas, in other cases, there may not be any existing patents and you are free to develop and explore the viability of developing and patenting the ideas.

The authors make no claim that any of the ideas are safe, practical, or suitable for any particular purpose. You are responsible for the results of trying, developing, patenting or using any of the ideas on this site.

For some people, our ideas are just an interesting read, but our goal is to encourage you to take action. If you see an idea that you like, do something with it... Take action.

- Joe

Idea Of The Day. A new Idea Each Day. Some Don't Suck.