Enter Geonet Quake (and SpotQuake NZ is now free)

It's been fun releasing SpotQuake NZ in the Android Market (now Google Play) but it's time for SpotQuake NZ to take a step back. 

The provider of the data used by SpotQuake NZ, Geonet, has now released an app of their own: GeoNet Quake.   GeoNet Quake contains many of the features of SpotQuake NZ - most importantly the ability to filter on location and intensity - though currently it does not support multiple locations or the ability to filter on quake depth. 

Given that most of the features of SpotQuake NZ are now freely available in  GeoNet Quake, SpotQuake NZ will now be made into a free app.  The final total of sales over the past couple of months was $48.52 and has all been donated to the Christchurch Appeal.  And as final gesture from SpotQuake NZ, we've matched that.  So the total donation from users and from us is $97.04.

Thanks!
SpotQuake NZ

PS:  Keep an eye on our main blog for future apps.

SpotQuake NZ wants your ideas

We're currently making a few very minor tweaks to SpotQuake NZ.  For example, adding a menu link to the Christchurch Appeal donation page.  This is a good time to send us your comments and ideas for the next release of SpotQuake NZ.  Just email us at spotquake@gmail.com.

And the second payment (of $24.12) came through from Google for SpotQuake NZ sales and has been passed on to the appeal.

19 users so far and the first SpotQuake NZ donation to the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal

After a great Christmas break I'm pleased to say that SpotQuake NZ has now been available for three weeks and has 19 users.  

On the 2nd Jan I received the first monthly payment from Google: NZD20.20.  It's not a round figure for two reasons: 

1. Exchange rates (because we have users outside New Zealand paying in a range of currencies)
2. The Google percentage has been taken.  

This second point is a good one to bring up.  Google takes 30 percent of all app sales.  So for each dollar spent on SpotQuake NZ, 70 cents goes to the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal and 30 cents goes to Google.  So if you want all your money to go to the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal, it's best to donate direct.  And if you find SpotQuake NZ useful, buy the app (with the bonus of knowing that you are also making a donation to the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal). 

Thanks to those who have bought and donated so far.  That first payment of NZD20.20 has already been donated to the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal.

Happy New Year all.

Christchurch rattled again

Christchurch experienced a series of quakes today.  I hope everyone's ok down there.

You can donate to the Christchurch Appeal Trust and remember that all money raised by Spotquake NZ app purchases will be donated too.

As it happens the Geonet data feed was much slower than normal today (probably due to the time of year).

Merry Christmas all

SpotQuake NZ is now available in the Android Market

Having moved to Wellington, New Zealand, I'm well aware the ground shakes more here than it did at my previous home in Winchester, UK.

The subject of seismology is fascinating, so like many people, I check the GeoNet site to keep up to date with the latest tremors.  I am also asked on a regular basis by friends and family around the world whether I've felt one recently. 

The idea behind SpotQuake NZ is that my friends and family and I would like to be notified when there is a quake.  My friends and family are interested in whether the ground shakes in Wellington (where I am) and I'm interested in one or two other areas (as I don't need to be notified of one here in Welly!).  You might be interested in keeping an eye on quakes where your grandma lives so that you can give her a quick call after a tremor.
 

SpotQuake NZ is an Android phone app which allows you to spot a place on a Google map and then ask to be notified when there's a quake there.   You can even restrict on the quake's magnitude (e.g. over a 4.0), the depth of the quake (e.g.  less than 100km), and the distance from your spot (e.g. within 100km).  After a quake (which meets your spot conditions) occurs, your will see a notification appear on your phone.   The notification links you to the app's QuakeLog (to show the recent quakes) and entries in the QuakeLog link to the GeoNet web page for the quake.

SpotQuake NZ is a very low cost app and all proceeds go the the Christchurch Appeal Trust.  I will keep the blog updated on downloads and money donated.

SpotQuake NZ is now available in the Android Market:   SpotQuake NZ App