Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

4a4a t1_j168ool wrote

This is a solution in search of a problem.

41

mcwobby t1_j16gti3 wrote

It does have some uses in Emergency Services and I believed Mongolia uses it in their postal system.

14

NewKingMorons t1_j18uyia wrote

It's very poor in emergency situations despite the slick marketing. There are homonyms and pluralisations which have led to rescuers going to nearby (but not near enough) locations when the 3 words have been misheard.

https://www.grough.co.uk/magazine/2022/08/31/dont-rely-solely-on-what3words-app-say-lakeland-rescuers-sent-to-wrong-side-of-lake

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-57156797.amp

https://nationalpost.com/news/world/what3words-app-has-been-sending-some-rescuers-to-wrong-locations/wcm/b6792fe7-dd3f-4776-8e1b-e67c0fb313de/amp/

9

[deleted] t1_j17ai1i wrote

[deleted]

0

PretzelsThirst t1_j17ftsj wrote

You might be surprised to know that if you type in GPS coordinates wrong they will also show the wrong location.

5

TastyCheddar t1_j17k73c wrote

I’m guessing since there weren’t enough users with this problem, the company who made what 3 words partnered up with the guys making Earth 2. It’s a game where you pay real money to buy virtual land which are direct copies of what 3 words’ squares in their maps. I hate this type of useless metaverse bullshit but I have to admit they were pretty smart in pivoting into something that makes them money.

11

CookiePush t1_j16gh96 wrote

It has been useful to share points and paths that are not known to street map applications. Geocaching or hiking trails for example.

6