Can anyone explain the point in this app? All of a sudden it seems the be mentioned everywhere but I can’t see the point in it. If you are able to access the app to pinpoint your location, why not just use latitude and longitude coordinates?

I saw it last week for the first time and read that the police and the emergency services are advising people to download the app and claim it has already saved lives.

This is the article I fell on last week. I'd never heard of what3words previously.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-49319760" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

BFCmaj wrote:Can anyone explain the point in this app? All of a sudden it seems the be mentioned everywhere but I can’t see the point in it. If you are able to access the app to pinpoint your location, why not just use latitude and longitude coordinates?

Easier for humans to communicate and remember words than numbers.

BFCmaj wrote:Can anyone explain the point in this app? All of a sudden it seems the be mentioned everywhere but I can’t see the point in it. If you are able to access the app to pinpoint your location, why not just use latitude and longitude coordinates?

It’s a lot quicker and easier to say 3 words over the phone to someone in an emergency than reading out long numbers. Assume that’s the main reason for it.

The Ordnance Survey also have a free app which does the same job. It’s called ‘OS locate’.

It’s even more accurate than what3words is. It gives you the 6 figure grid reference for your exact location (so accurate to within a square metre!) and it also has a compass and altitude meter too.

Mountain Rescue teams prefer the OS app...

BFCmaj wrote: If you are able to access the app to pinpoint your location, why not just use latitude and longitude coordinates?

Just looking this up now. I suppose latitude and longitude is difficult to remember... as are post codes. How often do you type in a postcode into your sat nav, and you keep forgetting it. Repeating it in your head as your typing it it in... also postcodes are are big areas.

Take the ticket office at Turf Moor for example. That’s in the same postcode as James Hargreaves Stand. But finding the which3words pin points exactly where they are on a map

Ticket office - https://w3w.co/eagles.socket.name" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Janes Hargreaves Stand - https://w3w.co/aspect.voter.reply" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I don’t understand how the words are assigned to each square though

Why would you need to remember it though if you’re reading it from your phone screen that you’re contacting the emergency services on?

claptrappers_union wrote:I don’t understand how the words are assigned to each square though

Been done randomly

Hopefully.your not in a life and death situation where you would need something like this. I have it installed

Deleted

BFCmaj wrote:Why would you need to remember it though if you’re reading it from your phone screen that you’re contacting the emergency services on?

Because it’s more user friendly

That said, I’ve found a flaw in it. What if you’re in non-English speaking country...

Just installed it.

Although when I try it, and put my address in as the location I am at .... it hasn't a clue my street exists even though its been here since the 1940's

But I love the 3 words for my front room.

I hope I never need it but will be interesting to see where I am on my travels.

Have just located our seats at Turf Moor (well aproximately as there is a roof in the way ) mild,model,poppy

Just downloaded this,it told me I'm sat in my front room,what's it for?

Steve1956 wrote:Just downloaded this,it told me I'm sat in my front room,what's it for?

Me too Steve (well in my front room not yours obviously duhhhhh)

Bosscat wrote:Me too Steve (well in my front room not yours obviously duhhhhh)

Right so I know I'm at home,that's five minutes of my life I'm never going to see again,do I delete it now I know where I am

Hang on acording to the blue dot I'm next door ... help.

I am still sat in my front room but according to the blue dot I've gone next door ?????

Steve1956 wrote:Right so I know I'm at home,that's five minutes of my life I'm never going to see again,do I delete it now I know where I am

Well you could do but how will you know where you are later on or if you are in the same place?

claptrappers_union wrote:That said, I’ve found a flaw in it. What if you’re in non-English speaking country...

You select your language choice when you first go into the app

wilks_bfc wrote:Well you could do but how will you know where you are later on or if you are in the same place?

I don't know what day it is never mind were I am

Steve1956 wrote: I don't know what day it is never mind were I am

Just hope you never need it, but if you do it could be vital.

Bosscat wrote:Hang on acording to the blue dot I'm next door ... help.

I am still sat in my front room but according to the blue dot I've gone next door ?????

The blue dot has taken me to the cafe about ten doors down the road,it's marvellous this I never left the house,while I was there I had an imaginary fry up

ClaretTony wrote:Just hope you never need it, but if you do it could be vital.

Can you please explain the point of it then I might take it a bit more seriously, I tend to go places were I know were I am.

Steve1956 wrote:Can you please explain the point of it then I might take it a bit more seriously, I tend to go places were I know were I am.

I think the point of it is that it can give a more specific/accurate location

So if, like in the bbc article, you are out walking and get lost or injured the 3 words are more accurate than saying “I’m on Pendle hill” and easier to say than 53.8686 N 2.2986 W (yes I did google them )

wilks_bfc wrote:I think the point of it is that it can give a more specific/accurate location

So if, like in the bbc article, you are out walking and get lost or injured the 3 words are more accurate than saying “I’m on Pendle hill” and easier to say than 53.8686 N 2.2986 W (yes I did google them )

That's exactly what it is

Steve1956 wrote:Can you please explain the point of it then I might take it a bit more seriously, I tend to go places were I know were I am.

If you had an accident and didn't know where you are this app could locate you for the emergency services

ClaretTony wrote:You select your language choice when you first go into the app

Ah, yes

It comes across as something that is being marketed as a must-have thing, but there’s already something available that does an equally suitable job. As far as I can tell, the only difference between providing the emergency services with a longitude/latitude reference and the three words this app provides is that it’s more user friendly. I could just as easily ask Siri my location or go into maps and it would provide me with two numbers that you could easily read out whilst looking at your screen. I don’t get how much more difficult this is than the 3 words.

It comes across as something that is being marketed as a must-have thing, but there’s already something available that does an equally suitable job. As far as I can tell, the only difference between providing the emergency services with a longitude/latitude reference and the three words this app provides is that it’s more user friendly. I could just as easily ask Siri my location or go into maps and it would provide me with two numbers that you could easily read out whilst looking at your screen. I don’t get how much more difficult this is than the 3 words.

Read how it came about

It was born out of company founder Chris Sheldrick's postal-related problems growing up in rural Hertfordshire.
"Our postcode did not point to our house," he said. "We got used to getting post meant for other people, or having to stand in the road to flag down delivery drivers."

Ten years in the music industry, which involved trying to get bands to meet at specific entrances to their venues, also fuelled his frustration. "I tried to get people to use longitude and latitude but that never caught on," Mr Sheldrick said. "It got me thinking, how can you compress 16 digits into something much more user friendly?

BFCmaj wrote:It comes across as something that is being marketed as a must-have thing, but there’s already something available that does an equally suitable job. As far as I can tell, the only difference between providing the emergency services with a longitude/latitude reference and the three words this app provides is that it’s more user friendly. I could just as easily ask Siri my location or go into maps and it would provide me with two numbers that you could easily read out whilst looking at your screen. I don’t get how much more difficult this is than the 3 words.

It's more user friendly than longtitude/latitude - I think it really is a simple as that. Everyone will understand three words.

wilks_bfc wrote:I think the point of it is that it can give a more specific/accurate location

So if, like in the bbc article, you are out walking and get lost or injured the 3 words are more accurate than saying “I’m on Pendle hill” and easier to say than 53.8686 N 2.2986 W (yes I did google them )

How easy is it to say "I'm on Pendle HIll and can't get a phone signal?

dsr wrote:How easy is it to say "I'm on Pendle HIll and can't get a phone signal?

I'd take a look at the thread and what3words if that's your response to it

BFCmaj wrote:It comes across as something that is being marketed as a must-have thing, but there’s already something available that does an equally suitable job. As far as I can tell, the only difference between providing the emergency services with a longitude/latitude reference and the three words this app provides is that it’s more user friendly. I could just as easily ask Siri my location or go into maps and it would provide me with two numbers that you could easily read out whilst looking at your screen. I don’t get how much more difficult this is than the 3 words.

Although longitude/latitude is based on numbers you are still saying “words” when giving them

What’s easier to say

Fiftythree eight six eight six north two two nine eight six west

Or
rush/crabmeat/passport

dsr wrote:How easy is it to say "I'm on Pendle HIll and can't get a phone signal?

Very easy. But picture this .... You are on pendle hill, you slipped and broke your leg. You get hold of the emergecy services and tell them you are on pendle hill.

They say where on pendle hill.... with 3 little words you can precisely locate yourself to 3 metres not a 4 square miles

Bosscat wrote:If you had an accident and didn't know where you are this app could locate you for the emergency services

With the advancement of technology I'm surprised that there isn't something as accurate as this already in place that the emergency services can use that doesn't involve any input from the other end, other than have their GPS turned on. Meaning this app wouldn't be needed when calling the emergency services because as soon as the call connects, they'll know where the person calling for help is, to as much accuracy as this app.

wilks_bfc wrote:Although longitude/latitude is based on numbers you are still saying “words” when giving them

What’s easier to say

Fiftythree eight six eight six north two two nine eight six west

Or
rush/crabmeat/passport

I guess in answer to my question then, in that situation it would be eight syllables more difficult.

I have heard that if you are stood outside Elwood Park the ‘what3words’ location is fancy,that,horse

Better Call Saul wrote:I have heard that if you are stood outside Elwood Park the ‘what3words’ location is fancy,that,horse

"stiff.lonely.sign" is a location in the Riverside stand... probably because of the lack of crowds there

Why do people feel like you should sell things to them? Not aimed at any particular post on here but.....

I mentioned this to a mate and he then questions me about what its for and why its good...

Read it yourself, i just like it, if you dont its ok, but im not the sales rep so dont ask me questions you can easily find the answers to on their website

Reebok is serves.you.right

Much more chance of errors being made when communicating numbers rather than words. One or two incorrect digits in lon/lat and you are in a completely different place. Not helpful when you are hoping to be rescued...

The point is that it uses your GPS in your phone, and whilst you may not have a good enough signal for data (which other “map” apps use and rely on) you may have for a GSM phone call. The app is installed on your device and doesn't need data to work, but can use your GPS enabling you to find out the 3 words you need to be rescued for when you can phone for help.

I’m sure there a pros and cons but I downloaded the app last week and don’t see having it as anything but a positive.

I've just downloaded it. What a brilliant idea.

Loving the Penalty Spot at t'Turf Coates.O'Neil.Casper

RalphCoatesComb wrote:Loving the Penalty Spot at t'Turf Coates.O'Neil.Casper

There is a part of the pitch called "corner.rocky.mixed" FACT

BurnleyPaul wrote:The Ordnance Survey also have a free app which does the same job. It’s called ‘OS locate’.

It’s even more accurate than what3words is. It gives you the 6 figure grid reference for your exact location (so accurate to within a square metre!) and it also has a compass and altitude meter too.

Mountain Rescue teams prefer the OS app...

6 figure grid is accurate to 100m

Good app though, just downloaded it so thanks for the heads up.

Very useful, for example before an away match you want to meet at a specific point outside London Bridge. One postcode for a huge complex, a dozen exits all leading to different streets you're friends may not know the name off.

3 words, shared on WhatsApp and you're all given the same 3sq meter coordinate. Simple, easy, convenient.

CombatClaret wrote:Very useful, for example before an away match you want to meet at a specific point outside London Bridge. One postcode for a huge complex, a dozen exits all leading to different streets you're friends may not know the name off.

3 words, shared on WhatsApp and you're all given the same 3sq meter coordinate. Simple, easy, convenient.

I’ve just arrived at simple.easy.convenient but there is no London Bridge in sight

ClaretTony wrote:I’ve just arrived at simple.easy.convenient but there is no London Bridge in sight