Weather app uses mesh networking to send emergency alerts without cell signal
A mobile phone can be a fantastic resource in an emergency, but what good is it without signal? IBM and The Weather Company are trying to tackle this problem using a technology known as mesh networking. An update to The Weather Company’s Android app uses phones’ built-in radios to send alerts about natural disasters and extreme weather from device to device — getting the message out, even when there’s no signal.
The mesh networking update will be rolling out to The Weather Company users in emerging markets in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. (You can see a full list of countries here.) That’s because it’s in these areas that traditional mobile networks are most congested, and in danger of becoming unusable during emergencies. The update…
