What three words

[pandas]

Some may already be aware of this but if not quite fascinating. Also potentially important if you were to be stuck somewhere needing help and not sure what your specific location is.

The simplest way to talk about location

Every 3 metre square has a unique 3 word address.

what3words.com

The world is divided into 3m squares. Each square is allocated three random words. If say you broke a legs somewhere in the Douro mountains, open the app, tell the emergency services the three words it will flag up about your location and they will know exactly where to find you. Brilliant and potentially useful bit of technology. The three words at the entrance to my drive could have been a bit more flattering though!

 

[Lucky]

I stand to be corrected but believe there are different versions of the App for different countries, so the version you use in UK might not work in say Spain. Then there's the language issue too.

I'm not pooh-poohing the system, its great, but just need to investigate it's use outside your own country. It might be ok but I heard someone question this aspect.

 

[pandas]

I stand to be corrected but believe there are different versions of the App for different countries, so the version you use in UK might not work in say Spain. Then there's the language issue too.

I'm not pooh-poohing the system, its great, but just need to investigate it's use outside your own country. It might be ok but I heard someone question this aspect.

Be interested in what you find out as this sort invalidates the whole concept.

 

[Two on Tour]

There have been a few threads about it on the forum in the past and I a good few Funsters have downloaded the app, but a reminder of it is not a bad thing as having it on your phone could literally be a life saver.

 

[Two on Tour]

I stand to be corrected but believe there are different versions of the App for different countries, so the version you use in UK might not work in say Spain. Then there's the language issue too.

I'm not pooh-poohing the system, its great, but just need to investigate it's use outside your own country. It might be ok but I heard someone question this aspect.

"London-based startup what3words has given every location on Earth a three-word English address; now, it's working to support as many languages as possible so that users worldwide can find any destination in their native tongue."

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Jim]

We use it all the time. Excellent tool

 

[Lucky]

Ok this moment l tried using the English version of the App in France. My location in France on What 3 Words is given as "percussion/cylinder/double"

Can you imagine where that's going to get me saying it to an operator with the French emergency services? Not far, I can assure you, unless you're lucky enough to be put through to an English speaker who has access to the English app.

As I said earlier, I like the system, but only in one's own country.

 

[Ivory55]

Is it only working on I phone, or I pad ?

 

[Jim]

Ok this moment l tried using the English version of the App in France. My location in France on What 3 Words is given as "percussion/cylinder/double"

Can you imagine where that's going to get me saying it to an operator with the French emergency services? Not far, I can assure you, unless you're lucky enough to be put through to an English speaker who has access to the English app.

As I said earlier, I like the system, but only in one's own country.

So in two clicks, Settings, Language... you'll get French words, much easier to give out than a French Address, even if you have one for that corner of the field you're in.

 

[Lucky]

So in two clicks, Settings, Language... you'll get French words, much easier to give out than a French Address, even if you have one for that corner of the field you're in.

Essential to know that, thanks Jim.

Now I must continue practicing my french pronunciation.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[pandas]

We use it all the time. Excellent tool

So how many accidents do you have? Actually new to me so trying to work through how useful it is outside of the emergency point. Any pointers, does it work on navigation systems?

 

[Lucky]

My french words are "deboucher/parton/discutant".

Altogether now, say out loud with me, "Dee Boo Shay / Par tonne / dis ku ton"

What could possibly go wrong?

 

[pandas]

There have been a few threads about it on the forum in the past and I a good few Funsters have downloaded the app, but a reminder of it is not a bad thing as having it on your phone could literally be a life saver.

Apologies always was behind the curve of life!

 

[Jim]

So how many accidents do you have? Actually new to me so trying to work through how useful it is outside of the emergency point. Any pointers, does it work on navigation systems?

It can be used for so much. For example a little while ago we were on the CCC site at Oxford, the kids were arriving at midnight. just gave them w3w and it took them right to our front door, no hunting for pitch numbers in the dark. I was meeting my Son at the NEC you know how big the carparks are W3W and he can get right to me.

 

[Skez]

So in two clicks, Settings, Language... you'll get French words, much easier to give out than a French Address, even if you have one for that corner of the field you're in.

Exactly!

Big fan of W3W.

From previous threads on this naysayers will probably take a lot of convincing, but in my view its potential benefits massively outweigh perceived disadvantages.

They've just done a very successful funding round so there are plenty that agree!

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[pandas]

It can be used for so much. For example a little while ago we were on the CCC site at Oxford, the kids were arriving at midnight. just gave them w3w and it took them right to our front door, no hunting for pitch numbers in the dark. I was meeting my Son at the NECm you know how big the carparks are W3w and he can get right to me.

So you navigate via the app?

 

[Jim]

My french words are "deboucher/parton/discutant".

Altogether now, say out loud with me, "Dee Boo Shay / Par tonne / dis ku ton"

What could possibly go wrong?

Thats not the apps fault. What is your precise location at the moment? If you're French is poor you'll struggle with that too. Don't forget you can ping the three words to most nav systems

 

[Lucky]

I like What 3 Words in the UK, I also like Google Maps when abroad.

Google Maps provides coordinates which all recovery services know how to use, and the user nees a much smaller grasp of a foreign language to communicate, basically the numbers 0 to 9.

 

[Two on Tour]

Apologies always was behind the curve of life!

No apologises needed, highlighting the app again and getting more people to download it can only be a good thing.

 

[Two on Tour]

Is it only working on I phone, or I pad ?

I'm using it on an Andriod phone.

what3words: Navigation & Maps - Apps on Google Play

Find any exact location with a what3words address - for easy navigation and more

play.google.com

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Lucky]

Thats not the apps fault. What is your precise location at the moment? If you're French is poor you'll struggle with that too. Don't forget you can ping the three words to most nav systems

That was my point really Jim, it's not an ideal tool in a foreign country for many people. For some it might be but I'm just pointing out it does have limitations.

 

[The Dotties]

As an aside re language, is the NATO alphabet understood world wide, at least by the emergency services? Could be a way of giving location wherever you are

 

[Revolvor]

So you navigate via the app?

Yes, it integrates with Google Maps. It's just that it's accurate to 3 metres, rather than a post-code

 

[pandas]

Yes, it integrates with Google Maps. It's just that it's accurate to 3 metres, rather than a post-code

So do you type in the three words rather than the name? I really should do my own homework but as others here have sorted it.....

 

[Jim]

That was my point really Jim, it's not an ideal tool in a foreign country for many people. For some it might be but I'm just pointing out it does have limitations.

Pesky foreigners have a language that's not English

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[rangi]

BUS AT GATE does it for me!

 

[Revolvor]

So do you type in the three words rather than the name? I really should do my own homework but as others here have sorted it.....

When you open up the App, Google Maps opens up. When you zoom to a precise location you will see the map is overlaid with a 3 metre grid. When you highlight a particular square, the "Three word address" is displayed. You then have the option to share it eg to send a text so that friends or Emergency Services can find you or to navigate to that point, at which point it's just like using Google Maps.

This is the gateway of Jim's CL site:

 

[Bubba]

Wouldn't it be just as easy to use a latitude and longitude. Been around for years and just as accurate

 

[Riverbankannie]

All the emergency services in the South West have the option of receiving a location from What Three Words.
saved someone last week when they fractured their ankle down a rabbit hole on the ear of the White Horse. Of course they could have given their location in GPS but some people find long strings of numbers or the notation of GPS (E/W, N/S, +/- Mins and secs) confusing. Three words is easier and understandable for many.

 

[xsparks]

I have it on Android, but I assume it's limitations are your signal.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}