Access to wireless Internet connection is practically a must these days. That’s why the iconic CCTV building in China even went through a year-long retrofit to improve Wi-Fi signals for building occupants.
One application is stepping into the direction of Wi-Fi signal visualization. Called Architecture of Radio, the app has been described by Teche Blog as “one of the coolest apps [we've] come across in recent time.”
Users are able to see a 360-degree illustration of Wi-Fi signals around them based on data from seven million cell towers, 19 million Wi-Fi routers, and hundreds of satellites.
The application was created by software developer Richard Vijgen, and can plot not just wireless, but also wired network signals. The catch: signals are not shown in real time, but from a database. In other words, the app “gives you a pretty good idea of the density of digital signals around you, but it won’t tell you where to move the couch to get a better WiFi signal,” the app description says.
"The purpose of this app is to make the invisible visible so we can look at it, think about it, and discuss it," Vijgen told Teche Blog.
Released on the Apple App Store on Nov. 17, the application currently has 2.5 stars from 116 ratings.
“Definitely a cool concept with a relatively intuitive interface. The main problem is in all the unidentified cell towers,” writes reviewer Mistergizmo. “Since the app works off a database rather than real-time signals, this should be fixable, which I'm sure it will be, at which point I'll increase the number of stars. But in the meantime, it's certainly a fun app.”
Related Stories
| Sep 4, 2013
Augmented reality: 12 applications for design and construction professionals
Building Design+Construction reached out to AEC professionals who have studied and applied augmented reality and asked them to pinpoint applications that are ripe for the technology. Here’s what they had to offer.
| Sep 4, 2013
Augmented reality goes mainstream: 12 applications for design and construction firms
Thanks to inexpensive mobile devices and increasingly advanced software apps, Building Teams are finally able to bring their BIM models to life on the job site.
| Sep 4, 2013
Smart building technology: Talking results at the BUILDINGChicago/ Greening the Heartland show
Recent advancements in technology are allowing owners to connect with facilities as never before, leveraging existing automation systems to achieve cost-effective energy improvements. This BUILDINGChicago presentation will feature Procter & Gamble’s smart building management program.
| Aug 8, 2013
Level of Development: Will a new standard bring clarity to BIM model detail?
The newly released LOD Specification document allows Building Teams to understand exactly what’s in the BIM model they’re being handed.
| Jul 19, 2013
Top BIM Construction Firms [2013 Giants 300 Report]
Turner, Clark Group, DPR top Building Design+Construction's 2013 ranking of the contractors and construction management firms with the most revenue from BIM-driven projects.
| Jul 19, 2013
Top BIM Engineering Firms [2013 Giants 300 Report]
Jacobs, URS, SAIC top Building Design+Construction's 2013 ranking of the engineering and engineering/architecture firms with the most revenue from BIM-driven projects.
| Jul 19, 2013
Top BIM Architecture Firms [2013 Giants 300 Report]
Gensler, HOK, HDR top Building Design+Construction's 2013 ranking of the architecture and architecture/engineering firms with the most revenue from BIM-driven projects.
| Jul 19, 2013
BIM 2.0: AEC firms share their vision for the great leap forward in BIM/VDC implementation [2013 Giants 300 Report]
We reached out to dozens of AEC firms that made our annual BIM Giants lists and asked one simple question: What does BIM 2.0 look like to you? Here’s what they had to offer.
| Jul 19, 2013
Must see: 220 years of development on Capitol Hill in one snazzy 3D flyover video
The Architect of the Capitol this week released a dramatic video timeline of 220 years of building development on Capitol Hill.
| Jun 28, 2013
Building owners cite BIM/VDC as 'most exciting trend' in facilities management, says Mortenson report
A recent survey of more than 60 building owners and facility management professionals by Mortenson Construction shows that BIM/VDC is top of mind among owner professionals.