Signals

Developer: Sudobility
Category: Utilities
Version: 1.1.1
Release Date: August 8, 2009
Size: 0.2 MB
Price: Free
Rating 10/10

Do AT+T executives use Verizon and T-Mobile the same way that Ford and Chevy executives drive BMW and Mercedes Benz? Is the 3G Network just like fairies; if you believe in it hard enough then it's real?

While Signals can't answer either of the above questions, it can give you absolute, hard data on the signal strength of the AT+T network that surrounds you.  Depending on wether you are a glass is half empty or a glass is half full person, the data can either be heartening or completely depressing. Either way, it will eliminate all guesswork from trying to find the best signal strengths, you will always know where you will and won't drop out.

Signals does two things, it shows you signal strengths around you (or nationwide, or worldwide), and it also submits data from your phone to a data base. iPhones currently using the app are sending between 10,000 and 20,000 data points a day nationwide, and each location is marked with an icon showing how many bars that phone had at that location. The app allows you to view a map of all the signal strengths that have been recorded by the data base. When you focus the map on your exact location, if you are in an area where people have used the app, you can see the signal strength every block, or even every 50 feet or less. This app is kind of a huge social experiment, and AT+T's credibility is what we're all measuring.

The app can be customized by selecting wether to send data at 10, 30 or 60 second intervals. Shorter intervals for when you are driving, longer for when you are walking. When you first set the app up you see a depressing screen, the carrier choice list screen. Of course US AT+T is the first girl in the dance line, but after her are 47 way prettier carriers waiting patiently for you to ask them to dance. Choose how often you want  to send  the data out, how many signal strength icons you want to see on your map, and you are ready to go.

I started using signals as soon as I installed it, I really wanted to know how good the service AT+T gives me is. It's the most expensive plan available from any carrier in the country, so it should perform as such. I used signals on my three separate commutes to work, one driving, one on the train, and one on my bike. Unfortunately for me, now I know that my bike route offers the best signal strength for the duration of the distance of any of the routes. My driving route has more holes in it than the Boston streets I'm driving on. You know where the worst local signal is? At Boylston and Hammond- where the AT+T store is. Locally, or at least in the Metro area and surrounding counties, AT+T has a pretty dismal network going.

This review has turned into a bit of an AT+T rag session, but hey, they asked for it. When you charge the most expensive rates in the US cellular service market, you should deliver the product that you advertise. What it comes down to is this: Signals is a free app and it maps out where the dependable and undependable spots are in your area. It is very interesting to see the network displayed on a grand scale. The fact that this data map is based on data gleaned from iPhone users, and not the carrier, makes it a truly honest assessment of the network's coverage. Signals is very cool on many levels, take part in a big science experiment, learn where you will get the most bars, and expose AT+T's weaknesses, all for free.