iPhone App: Hurricane
Since buying into the iPhone ‘cult’ back in July, I have been intrigued as to the applications that will be released for the it that have relevance to emergency managers. One I’ve just discovered (via TUAW – check out their pics of the app) is one called Hurricane. Whilst this was released last year, it has since been updated to incorporate new functionality.
The price is reasonable (USD$3.99) if you want quick access to storm information in your phone at all times. It sounds as though when there are active storms, that when opened the app will come up with a quick list of current storms to provide quick access to more information. Outside of that, it has a record of past storms, as well as quick access to satellite view.
Sure, much of this information can easily be obtained for free, but the benefits of an application such as this indicate the an application wrapper that makes it fast and transparent to get the information you’re after. The only thing that I can think of at a quick glance would be also linking to the text watches and warnings from the NOAA Storm Prediction Centre.
It is going to be exciting to see what applications are released in the coming years that provide quick access to both remote and locally stored emergency management information!
Gavin, Thanks for reviewing Hurricane!
I wanted to let you know that on the satellite page there is a link to the “text products” which are the text watches and warnings for each active storm. As the storms are named, they will receive their own personalized link on the satellites page. When there are no active storms for a particular basin (ocean), the outlook for that ocean (basin) will be linked on the satellite menu. Also, the satellite images are updated and changed based on current storm activity. Right now the Southern Hemisphere is active, and we have a few satellites and tracking maps geared to that area showing current activity.
I hope this information helps!
Ilene Jones
10 Feb 09 at 21:19