User tracking for a good purpose
Slashdot has a little snippet regarding Tracking Cell Phones for Real-Time Traffic Data. I love the general idea but would be concerned if the results from the data were not freely available. I’d really love it if the aggregate data was open and freely available. Think of the cool applications that could come from such information! For example, if you have one of those geeky mapping/gps systems in your car it could notify you of impending slowness ahead and automatically generate an alternate route for you. Or you could be notified yourself if you’re part of the cause due to rubber-necking — Your system could say, “Attention useless mass of flesh! Eyes forward, gas pedal down. Thank you”.
The downside could be automatic speeding tickets (or worse!) and you know the local governments would want a piece of that action. This could cause maniacal drivers to turn their cell phones off to prevent tracking with a side benefit of getting them off their damn phones while weaving in and out of traffic at 90 MPH.
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