Caught a Glimpse of Glympse? Either Scarily Awesome, or Awesomely Scary…

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Have you heard of Glympse yet? I had a chance to install and use it for the first time last night on my Android. Been experimenting with the Samsung Galaxy S3 the past few weeks, and the speed and immediacy of this phone has been nothing but awesome, which makes it perfect to play with this new app called Glympse.

In a nutshell, Glympse is GPS taken to a level that I’ve always believed mobile devices were born to do. My explanation of Glympse is this: You’re on your way home after a business dinner and want to let your significant other know you’re done with dinner, and you’re on your way. You could text or call, which is what I’ve always done. Not taking anything away from the basics, those two options still work fine.

But Glympse blows them out of the water. Using your phone’s built-in GPS, you send a “Glympse” to whomever you want – a friend, multiple people, even Twitter or Facebook. You choose a “length” of the Glympse – 5 minutes, 30 minutes, whatever. You hit send, and Glympse, via your choice or SMS, email, or social network, sends an alert to whomever you choose, with your message that you’re on your way home – But here’s where it gets scarily awesome, or awesomely scary: It keeps your phone GPS active for the amount of time you specify, and the recipient is given a link where they can track you, in real time, to your destination.

Think about that for a second: It’s not FourSquare or Facebook Places, where you check in to a place and you’re “presumed” there until you check in somewhere else… This is real-time tracking – “I’m headed home now,” and the recipient can watch your little blue dot, on a map, in real-time, as you make your way to “home,” or to “the office,” or to wherever you say you’re going.

I’ve been using a similar device for all my races for the past several years. I call it the “keep my Jewish mom calm” device – Whenever I’m running some ridiculously long race that by all rights should kill me, at least my mom can follow me in almost-real-time and see that I’m not dead. But this is an app! That changes the game. There’s 50% of me that is shaking with awesomeness because this is exactly what the new world is supposed to be – where honesty rules the day – “I’m on my way home” actually means that you’re on your way home, and not “I’ll be at this strip club for another two hours.” It’s real-time GPS tracking, available to anyone, from your device, for free.

The other 50% of me, however, is shaking with questions. I speak to companies all the time, and explain that in the world we’re in now, you can’t lie anymore. Between surveillance cameras every five feet to everyone having a camera in their phone, the old way of doing business is dead. Glympse not only proves that, but brings it to a whole new level:

If this app (or any of the others that are sure to follow) goes mainstream (and it probably will,) then it becomes about trusting a company to stick true to their end-user agreement, and NOT use the info we’re voluntarily giving them (which is deeper and more personal than anything before it) for evil. We have to trust that any company who makes an app like this, that we willingly install, is going to be honest with us and only share our real-time movements with the people we choose to share them with, unless they tell us otherwise.

It makes you think, huh?

I read the end-user license to which Glympse required I agree when I installed the app, and it’s logical, and not scary at all. So I gave it a shot – And I let my wife know I was on my way home last night, and if she’d seen the text Glympse sent her, she could have tracked my movements in real-time as I made my way back to my place. And that’s awesome. It’s beneficial, and not only for what I used it for – It’s useful in so many ways – “I’ll be back in the office in five minutes, I’m stuck in traffic, keep the client there!” or, “Show Timmy the map and let him know dad is on his way home from the airport after his business trip,” etc… The sheer simplicity of this app makes the benefits plainly obvious. And with just one use, I’m a fan.

But – I’m relying on Glympse to be honest. And I believe they will, because this app presents a major leap for the average user. It’s one thing to “check-in” to a location, or claim a discount by posting your location on Facebook. It’s something entirely different when you give an app the ability to track your movements in real-time, and, let’s face it, once those movements are tracked, they’re… well, there. Just because you made it to your destination and your GPS shuts off doesn’t mean that the tracking data necessarily goes away. And that’s where Glympse is going to have to prove themselves. The second they don’t, their credibility goes out the window. I believe that if Glympse does, and our data stays within the parameters we’re told, we’re looking at the beginning of a new use for our smartphones – One that in my opinion, can be very beneficial to the end user in both a personal and professional environment.

In a little bit of personal connection, my third book is coming out in January, and it’s all about how companies that are now leading the way, those who are the most successful, are doing so because they’re following the path of good – they’re telling the truth, they’re caring, they’re no longer following the “eat your young and win no matter who you screw over” mentality. If Glympse does that as well, then I’m betting this app will succeed and quite possibly become a major game-changer in the mobile space.

What say you? Leave your thoughts in the comments.

DISCLOSURE: I have no relationship with any of the companies I mention here. other than: Samsung sent me their Galaxy S3 free of charge for me to test out. I found Glympse through a Facebook post I happened to see from one of my friends who posted their Glympse data on their wall.

Join the discussion 35 Comments

  • Leslie says:

    You’re right – cool and scary at the same time. Perfect for helicopter parents.

  • Leslie says:

    You’re right – cool and scary at the same time. Perfect for helicopter parents.

  • leighshulman says:

    Makesme this of this TED talk and the corresponding book.

    http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/en/pamela_meyer_how_to_spot_a_liar.html

    Just last night I was fingerprinted at the airport in Buenos Aires along with photo as part of their new immigration procedure. And yes, both freak me out in that you never know how your information can be used, not least of which is how companies and governments use our information.

    At the same time, I do hope it will lead to a greater honesty. I have nothing to hide.

  • leighshulman says:

    Makesme this of this TED talk and the corresponding book.

    http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/en/pamela_meyer_how_to_spot_a_liar.html

    Just last night I was fingerprinted at the airport in Buenos Aires along with photo as part of their new immigration procedure. And yes, both freak me out in that you never know how your information can be used, not least of which is how companies and governments use our information.

    At the same time, I do hope it will lead to a greater honesty. I have nothing to hide.

  • Dan Nainan, Comedian says:

    I’ve been using this incredible app since I first heard about it on Leo Laporte’s podcast in January. It’s absolutely incredible and so very useful. I understand that you can see all of your friends on the map coming towards in real time if you’re hosting a party, although I’ve never used it in that way.

    Quite frequently, I will have clients who are really paranoid who are afraid I’m going to be late to my shows, so I send them a Glympse, and that prevents them from calling repeatedly asking “Where are you?”

    If you are on the way to meet somebody, you can see where both of you are on the map and you can even push a button and have it direct you to where that person is at any time.

    I see no privacy issue, for two reasons: it is completely opt in, and you choose how long they can see where you are, for up to four hours, and second, let’s be real, your cell phone knows where you are all the time, whether you have this app on your phone or not. Realistically, law enforcement can get this information from the cell companies whenever they feel like it.

  • Brittani Hensel says:

    I use it when I’m commuting home, to send a “glympse” my significant other to let him know where in traffic I am. Helps with bedtime for the kids, dinnertime, everything. But I’ve never used it publicly. Just to another email or phone number!

  • Wow! I hadn’t heard of Glympse, but am interested to check it out. I agree that IF we can trust them to use the information as they say they will, it could be a useful tool. My first thought was of my children who are too young now, but one day will likely have licenses and smart phones. I can see Glympse as a great curfew-regulator! No telling Mom they got stuck in traffic with this.

  • Dan Nainan, Comedian says:

    I’ve been using this incredible app since I first heard about it on Leo Laporte’s podcast in January. It’s absolutely incredible and so very useful. I understand that you can see all of your friends on the map coming towards in real time if you’re hosting a party, although I’ve never used it in that way.

    Quite frequently, I will have clients who are really paranoid who are afraid I’m going to be late to my shows, so I send them a Glympse, and that prevents them from calling repeatedly asking “Where are you?”

    If you are on the way to meet somebody, you can see where both of you are on the map and you can even push a button and have it direct you to where that person is at any time.

    I see no privacy issue, for two reasons: it is completely opt in, and you choose how long they can see where you are, for up to four hours, and second, let’s be real, your cell phone knows where you are all the time, whether you have this app on your phone or not. Realistically, law enforcement can get this information from the cell companies whenever they feel like it.

  • Brittani Hensel says:

    I use it when I’m commuting home, to send a “glympse” my significant other to let him know where in traffic I am. Helps with bedtime for the kids, dinnertime, everything. But I’ve never used it publicly. Just to another email or phone number!

  • Wow! I hadn’t heard of Glympse, but am interested to check it out. I agree that IF we can trust them to use the information as they say they will, it could be a useful tool. My first thought was of my children who are too young now, but one day will likely have licenses and smart phones. I can see Glympse as a great curfew-regulator! No telling Mom they got stuck in traffic with this.

  • Dan Nainan, Comedian says:

    By the way, want to see another app that takes things to the next level? Try Placeme. This one tracks everywhere you go, 24 hours a day, and how long you spent at each place. I love it, because I can go back and see where I was at any time on any day. It’s completely opt in, and only you see the data – it does not share it with anybody.

  • Dan Nainan, Comedian says:

    By the way, want to see another app that takes things to the next level? Try Placeme. This one tracks everywhere you go, 24 hours a day, and how long you spent at each place. I love it, because I can go back and see where I was at any time on any day. It’s completely opt in, and only you see the data – it does not share it with anybody.

  • Interesting. I wonder how businesses will use this app? Perhaps sales people sharing when they’re on the way to a meeting or maybe just hyper-local advertising?

    • Darren Austin says:

      We’re seeing food trucks, delivery services and real-estate agents start to use Glympse to improve their customer experiences. Try searching for glympse.com on twitter and you’ll see some of the examples.

  • Interesting. I wonder how businesses will use this app? Perhaps sales people sharing when they’re on the way to a meeting or maybe just hyper-local advertising?

    • Darren Austin says:

      We’re seeing food trucks, delivery services and real-estate agents start to use Glympse to improve their customer experiences. Try searching for glympse.com on twitter and you’ll see some of the examples.

  • dbproskendra says:

    wow, I will definitely have to check it out. I have Latitude on my android-based phone but rarely use it. It sounds similar except that you’re not exclaiming to someone “hey, look where I am right now for the next 30 minutes” but Latitude is something you share with people you want to, to know where you are at any given time, and you can turn it on and off as you please. This is nice because it will push out the “hey, look at me” notice to who you want. Thanks for sharing this info. It will definitely be interesting to see if they keep to their word and keep the data private!

  • dbproskendra says:

    wow, I will definitely have to check it out. I have Latitude on my android-based phone but rarely use it. It sounds similar except that you’re not exclaiming to someone “hey, look where I am right now for the next 30 minutes” but Latitude is something you share with people you want to, to know where you are at any given time, and you can turn it on and off as you please. This is nice because it will push out the “hey, look at me” notice to who you want. Thanks for sharing this info. It will definitely be interesting to see if they keep to their word and keep the data private!

  • Bob says:

    I use Glympse when hiking alone so my wife can track me in case I get injured, etc. I like that I control who sees it and for how long. Its a good tool to have.

  • Bob says:

    I use Glympse when hiking alone so my wife can track me in case I get injured, etc. I like that I control who sees it and for how long. Its a good tool to have.

  • MikeDriehorst says:

    And, thinking with the dark side of my brain, depending on one’s privacy settings, it can make it easy for evil-doers to know where to mug you based on one’s projected path. Or, if you’re a creature of habit, the can see previous Glympses and ambush you. Or, have Big Brother Government tap into Glympse and track each and every one of us. (Granted, I’ve only read Peter’s post so maybe the above is not accurate. And, I’m in a bit of a conspiracy mood today.)

    But overall, if used correctly, it would be personally and professionally awesome.
    -Mike

  • MikeDriehorst says:

    And, thinking with the dark side of my brain, depending on one’s privacy settings, it can make it easy for evil-doers to know where to mug you based on one’s projected path. Or, if you’re a creature of habit, the can see previous Glympses and ambush you. Or, have Big Brother Government tap into Glympse and track each and every one of us. (Granted, I’ve only read Peter’s post so maybe the above is not accurate. And, I’m in a bit of a conspiracy mood today.)

    But overall, if used correctly, it would be personally and professionally awesome.
    -Mike

  • Darren Austin says:

    Hi everyone, Darren Austin here from Glympse. First off, thanks to Peter for giving us this nice shout out. We spend a ton of time obsessing over the user experience and, frankly, not enough time marketing our service so we’re thrilled when we get coverage like this. Very much appreciate it.

    Peter, you hit the nail on the head about the importance of trust and privacy. When our founders first conceived of the idea for Glympse several years ago, they immediately understood the importance of earning and maintaining the trust of our users. You could say that that “fiduciary duty” to our users has been a part of our team culture from the very beginning. You can see this value manifest itself in various ways in the product and our app store reviews (as well as in our EULA). Our reputation and app rating are very important to us so we will always act “above the table” in the best interests of our users.

    Thanks in advance to all of you who are trying us out for the first time. We’d love to hear about your experiences with the app so please drop us a note on our Facebook page or through our support channels and let us know what you think and how you use the app. (Purposely not listing the links here to avoid the shameless plug). 🙂 Thanks again, everyone.

  • Darren Austin says:

    Hi everyone, Darren Austin here from Glympse. First off, thanks to Peter for giving us this nice shout out. We spend a ton of time obsessing over the user experience and, frankly, not enough time marketing our service so we’re thrilled when we get coverage like this. Very much appreciate it.

    Peter, you hit the nail on the head about the importance of trust and privacy. When our founders first conceived of the idea for Glympse several years ago, they immediately understood the importance of earning and maintaining the trust of our users. You could say that that “fiduciary duty” to our users has been a part of our team culture from the very beginning. You can see this value manifest itself in various ways in the product and our app store reviews (as well as in our EULA). Our reputation and app rating are very important to us so we will always act “above the table” in the best interests of our users.

    Thanks in advance to all of you who are trying us out for the first time. We’d love to hear about your experiences with the app so please drop us a note on our Facebook page or through our support channels and let us know what you think and how you use the app. (Purposely not listing the links here to avoid the shameless plug). 🙂 Thanks again, everyone.

  • mondegreen says:

    I have dabbled with Glympse. I can see where it would be useful but it hasn’t been all that useful for me. Also, as others have observed, Latitude has been in Android since Day 1 or 2, and it has never really caught on. I use it with my wife, that’s about it. It does seem to have too much latency of updates.

    I do think this will eventually catch on, at least with significant others. THEN how does one ever have an affair (I am speaking hypothetically)?! Interesting to contemplate.

  • mondegreen says:

    I have dabbled with Glympse. I can see where it would be useful but it hasn’t been all that useful for me. Also, as others have observed, Latitude has been in Android since Day 1 or 2, and it has never really caught on. I use it with my wife, that’s about it. It does seem to have too much latency of updates.

    I do think this will eventually catch on, at least with significant others. THEN how does one ever have an affair (I am speaking hypothetically)?! Interesting to contemplate.

  • Erik S. says:

    Does Glympse still kill battery life? When i tried it a year ago, my 30 minute commute home could eat up 20-30% of the battery on my iPhone.

    Apple’s Find Friends app addresses similar scenaios without killing my battery. Downside is that it only works between users of iOS 5

  • Erik S. says:

    Does Glympse still kill battery life? When i tried it a year ago, my 30 minute commute home could eat up 20-30% of the battery on my iPhone.

    Apple’s Find Friends app addresses similar scenaios without killing my battery. Downside is that it only works between users of iOS 5

  • RK says:

    Just checked out Glympse – why does it need access to my calendar and contacts? I’m just saying no more often to apps that want access to my personal info where it has no relation to the app’s function.

  • RK says:

    Just checked out Glympse – why does it need access to my calendar and contacts? I’m just saying no more often to apps that want access to my personal info where it has no relation to the app’s function.

  • Anne says:

    I <3 Glympse. It really is dead useful when trying to meet up with friends. Fiance and I started using it because we're always running late, and always getting "omg, when are you going to get here?!?" texts from our friends – this lets them satisfy their curiosity without bugging us for repeated updates.

    I sent a glympse to a friend who lives an hour away from me before we were to meet up at another location, about an hour further past. She watched our progress, and timed her own departure so that we arrived within about 5 minutes of her. It was seriously awesome.

    Bonus, our friends get something to joke about when we catch each other missing exits 🙂 Remember: it does take a sense of humor to send a glympse when you're traveling somewhere you're not used to. You will mess up, and it will be exactly when they're looking…

    I haven't checked how useful it is in close quarters, yet, but I expect
    it to be great for finding people in a crowd, too (fairs, festivals,
    conventions, etc). I'm going to test this theory sometime after I get my own smartphone; currently I just mooch off of Fiance's :p If it doesn't work now, though, I'm sure it will in the future.

  • uncomfortable with app says:

    I sent a random text to my boyfriend last night and he sent me back a text that had a link in it… I clicked it and it was a “glimpse” of where he was. I said what was that and he said he clicked on the “G” in my text to him and that it said something about sharing his location click here…. He sent me a screen shot of our texts and sure enough, the “G” was in my text. I have NO IDEA how it got added to my text. I had never heard of this app before and wonder why that happened. I do not have this app on my phone and nor does he. I’m a t-mobile user and he is a verizon user. Not comfortable about that at all…

  • Debbie Stewart says:

    This app has allowed a volatile husband to track his wife (they are in a divorce situation) and possibly do harm to her. She is having to file paperwork to hopefully keep him away from her. She can’t keep her privacy from him because this is on her phone and she can’t get rid of it!!! BAD STUFF! He is constantly trying to track her. She is so scared.

  • Moore Cory says:

    Hi my name is Cory Moore. My girl and I use glimpses to keep track of each other. My question is couple of days ago she swears she was at work while the glimpses showed her at a fast food restaurant, then at stores then behind it in the woods and there are all these yellow lines kinda faded not like Wen she was driving home. If she was at work inside would that hav prevented the GPS from locking onto her or was she really at all these places while saying she’s at work. Please help I can’t get a strait answer from anyone

  • Beachlady says:

    Several years ago I by accident saw an example of Glympse on my husband’s phone. It was the beginning of the downfall of our marriage. So, while it looks good for folks who have nothing to hide, it could cause significant problems for those who do have something to hide. I lost my trust in my ‘lifelong’ partner. We’re done now.

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