Android apps where am i

We review Here I Am, a location-based application for Google Android

Have you ever arranged to meet up with friends but then got yourself hopelessly lost and therefore unable to give them an accurate idea of your location?

If you're gifted with directions then chances are you've avoided such an embarrassing predicament but a good many people become hopelessly disorientated as soon as they enter the hustle and bustle of the big city.

Here I Am is an app for the Android platform that attempts to solve this issue. Using this program you can send an SMS or email to your friends and give them your exact location. The message will even feature a link to Google Maps, with a marker showing where you are.

The app uses a combination of GPS tracking and the signal from your network provider to establish your whereabouts, and it's this element of the app's functionality that is both impressive and slightly inconsistent at the same time.

If the conditions are right (clear view of the sky, no tall buildings nearby) then you'll get a strong signal and a precise fix on your location as a result. However, if you're in the middle of a city or inside a building then chances are the app will give a slightly less accurate reading.

This is hardly a fault of Here I Am - it's just the way Android devices (and most GPS trackers) function - but it does limit the usefulness of the app slightly. It's not a fatal flaw - even if your position is slightly off, chances are your friends will be able to spot a landmark near to you and from there you can successfully meet up - but it's mildly disappointing all the same.

Still, this is the only real issue with Here I Am. Everything else is a joy to use, from the attractive menus to the intuitive interface. Sending the SMS or email message is also blissfully simple, and additional options - such as the ability to copy your location to a clipboard so you can use it in other applications on your phone (such as cataloguing places of interest) - make it even more useful.

It's just a shame that the app can't be relied on to give a truly precise idea of your position, but it remains a worthwhile download and has a wide range of possible uses.