Does this avoid Google? CBS: “Microsoft has been granted a patent for its ‘avoid ghetto’ feature for GPS devices.
A GPS device is used to find shortcuts and avoid traffic, but Microsoft’s patent states that a route can be plotted for pedestrians to avoid an ‘unsafe neighborhood or being in an open area that is subject to harsh temperatures. Created for mobile phones, the technology uses the latest crime statistics and weather data and includes them when calculating a route.” Freedom of internet, think of all the possibilities!
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Brian P Chapin
January 9, 2012
Just a big company money dump to patent something unpatentable –>> a concept (a very racist concept), in an attempt to try and force out smaller company innovation and grab some headlines – but then again typical Microsoft!
My company Street Smart USA has developed a much more complete and valuable data model which has been available for years on TomTom and Garmin GPS units as well as on Smartphones.
Targeting area such as ghettos offers little to no value to the traveler, nor do simple crime statistics. The use of crime statistics is very limiting as their reporting and availability it often outdated and absent, especially in smaller city or towns.
I call what Microsoft is presenting the “spider-web perception”. The inaccurate assumption that criminals sit in their neighborhoods – their ‘webs’ if you will, waiting to prey on infrequent unsuspecting victims that may stumble into it. That’s simply not how it works. Criminals are opportunists and that doesn’t afford a lot of opportunity.
Violent crimes are not concentrated or limited within ghettos or low income areas. In fact, a large part of violent crimes occur in bordering neighborhoods, areas with high gain potential for criminals or areas where volumes of unsuspecting targets traffic.
High risk and unsafe area identification is far more complex then that. Our product identifies and alerts users of potentially unsafe areas which have been identified using a number of key data elements and proprietary algorithms that accurately mark areas as unsafe to personal or property safety.
If you want a product that is proven with years of development, analysis, expertise and a track record that reflects true personal safety – then please visit http://www.streetsmart-USA.com.
Randolph Harten
January 14, 2012
Once I originally commented I clicked the -Notify me when new feedback are added- checkbox and now every time a remark is added I get 4 emails with the same comment. Is there any manner you’ll be able to take away me from that service? Thanks!