Rich Gaywood on TUAW posted about this, but it is the work of independent researchers Pete Warden, a former Apple employee, and Alasdair Allan, a data visualization scientist have done. It was reported originally in the Guardian.
It is not surprise that our phones have a lot of data about location- when we read about criminals being tracked via phone records we think it cool. If I felt paranoid or at risk, I would not use an iPhone or other smart phone, would pull the battery and take other precautions. But do I want my data as easy to get as this is? All it takes is to lose my computer, then someone can see where I have been. And then they would get all my other unprotected data. Of course, someone could read my blog or twitter posts too. I write about tech for travel, and this is a direct expression of that. My other blog leaves a trail of triumphant and devastated restaurants in my wake, a trail easy enough to follow.
One clinker in the fire- the data, as far as I could tell about my own travels is accurate to time and place, but very inaccurate as to specific location and density. My home is not even shown, but a place where I spent a few weeks dominates all others. Camouflage? Just that the tracking relies on the cell system.
I guess I come down on the side of cool.
Of course, there is that thing about Face Time watching you when it it turned off. Now that is creepy.
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