Trimble Navigation released today a free mobile app called Map The Spill. Knowing that the general public is a crucial part of the reporting, Trimble created this free app to empower science-driven public participation like never before.
Focused on helping to capture the impacts and clean-up efforts of the largest oil disaster in U.S. history, Map the Spill allows users to log reports, upload photos, map their locations and share updates with other users. MapTheSpill.org will serve as a content repository as well as a source for the latest news and tweets on the oil spill.
The Nature Conservancy and its volunteer groups have endorsed and are using Map the Spill. Alabama Coastal Foundation and Mobile Bay Keepers are just it in their efforts.
Features
- GPS-enabled: Map the Spill uses your phone’s built-in GPS. It’s designed to work even in areas without cellphone coverage.
- Maps: View your location on street, satellite, terrain, topo, or aerial maps. Tip: Going to remote areas? Preview maps in the area you plan to visit before you leave the cell network or Wifi coverage. The app automatically stores maps on the phone so you can view them again in areas or seas without cell coverage.
- Photos: Capture photos and see their exact location on a map.
- Video: Shoot video to enhance your field reports. Video is auto-saved to YouTube for fast online playback.
- Waypoints: Mark important points of interest you find in the field.
- Audio: Save time and record your observations with an audio waypoint.
- In-App Messaging: Receive important messages from mapthespill.org or response teams.
- News: Read the latest news on the Gulf oil spill in this live feed from Yahoo.
- New Reports: See the latest reports posted by fellow mappers.
- Helpful Info: Find safety tips, important contacts, and more.
- Distance: Track how many miles you traveled during your field report.
- Time: Record the time you spend in the field.
- Social Networks: Coming soon: Share your field reports on Facebook and Twitter.
- Post Reports: Every field report is shared with the public at mapthespill.org. The data can be freely accessed and exported by any person or organization.
How to Download
Map the Spill runs on Android-compatible phones and is free for download in the Android Marketplace. The app also runs on 16 BlackBerry devices and is free for download at MapTheSpill.org. It will be available soon in the BlackBerry App World and iTunes App Store for Apple iPhones. You can also follow on twitter @MaptheSpill
