BBC Springwatch Survey Uses Location and SMS at MobHappy

y Russell Buckley on February 1st, 2006 in Mobile Society, Announcements, Location Based Services.

The BBC, that delta where creativity meets technology, have launched their Springwatch campaign, utilising sms and geolocation data.

Springwatch is designed to monitor the progress of Spring
throughout the UK. So they ask people to look out for six classic indicators, ranging from bees to Hawthorn blossom to Frogspawn. When you see one, you sms the relevant keyword in to a short code, immediately, whereupon the BBC capture the Cell ID (from the sound of it) and time and date.

This will enable them to map how Spring happens in the UK, in real time.

Good old WAP is roped in too, with a Spotter’s Guide available here.

This is a really nice use of rather primitive Cell ID, as pinpoint accuracy isn’t really important to the project.

Nice work Auntie and thanks to Simon for the info.