what3words: Navigation & Maps

I have just downloaded this app. But I’m writing too say, I need this just 2 weeks ago. I had been visiting a friend who lived in mountains of Northern New Mexico. Only 30-40 minutes from the state’s largest city. But it’s off the grid. I ran into engine trouble on my return home. This stranded me in 18°F weather I was not prepared for. Along a busy road used primarily by long haul truckers moving very fast. I was stalled on the white line of the shoulder. And very much afraid. I had no heat that working and used my battery up with warning lights. My road side assistance could not locate me. I couldn’t reach anyone I knew it was just after 11:00pm. I froze and was afraid till I was rescued by a towing company owner who was almost 2 hours away. Who cared to do whatever it would take to find and help someone didn’t know. I was traumatized by this event. I was also blessed that he cared. If I had installed this app it would have been easier to be found and it would not have taken 11 hours. Cold and afraid with nothing to eat or drink. I have this app now and I to never use it. But I feel better prepared should I need to. Thank you for helping ease the burden of my experience. It’s nicest thing next to being rescued that anyone could do for me. I recommend this app for everyone!

The phone app is awesome. So useful for many things like food delivery to apartment complexes, meeting friends when no address is available, boat and hiking navigation, locating a parked car and so much more. The Apple Watch app could be amazing with a few tweaks. Currently it’s possible to save a location using the watch but there is no way to view the saved location list. Relying solely on voice search can be cumbersome as so many words sound similar and background noise can be a problem. It would be so useful to have a “saved list” on the watch to pick from. Folders would help with organizing locations. Going out for a hike, urban exploration or jet ski ride with a list of locations, added to favorites in advance on a phone or tablet would be great. The compass navigation would be so handy on the watch. Especially without a phone. A few tweaks on “compass mode” would make a big difference. The heading could be more bold and pronounced to make it easier to see at a glance. Also the distance needs to be bigger and bolder so it’s easy to see at a glance. Currently it shows the destination in bold print in the center of the compass. That isn’t very useful while actively navigating. I would rather have to tap or long press to confirm or change the destination. Overall this is a very useful app. I hope they make a few changes to the watch app and make it as awesome as the phone app.

I just told my family members to download and install what3words. Everybody should have it. This app can save lives. Don't get stuck in a situation where you can't communicate your exact location except in the most circumstantial fashion, by numerical coordinates, or by saying what you see around you, or by walking to find the mile marker while other drivers are zooming by at 65mph. What if you are trapped in earthquake debris, or are on a rooftop in a flood, or have lost your way walking in the Pine Barrens like Paulie and Chris in The Sopranos, or had a bad fall while hiking? Three words is all it takes for people to locate you with a precision of a 3x3m square.