June 10, 2008

Citizen Science via The iPhone 3G

by Dan Gould

Citizen Science Via The iPhone
One of the most talked about features of the new iPhone is the addition of geolocation capabilities. There are a host of GPS based services coming down the line: connecting with nearby friends, finding restaurants, getting directions - all standard stuff. But what else is possible?

Wired has suggested that the combination of the iPhone’s accurate location data and cheap environmental sensors could lay the foundation for a crowd sourced scientific revolution.  Imagine “citizen scientists,” iPhones in hand, taking air quality readings and rainfall measurements. If such a system was set up, scientists back in the lab would have access to a rich set of information, enabling a real-time environmental pulse to be taken and shared.

Wired Science: GPS-Equipped iPhone Could Enable New Citizen Science

Article categories: Electronics & Gadgets, Environmental, Science

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