Startup OpenSignal has developed an app designed to measure what’s happening in the atmosphere and improve weather forecasting.
The Weathersignal app uses built-in sensors to collect data from muiltiple smartphones to provide accurate weather readings in urban areas.
London-based OpenSignal, whose app crowdsources data on mobile reception, came up with the idea after discovering that the temperature of a smartphone’s battery in one area matched with its outdoor air temperature.
The researchers said that the app could also help doctors, allowing them to find out which climates their patients have been exposed to and how much exercise they’ve had.
"Imagine your doctor could instantly access data on which countries you’ve been in, the extremes of pressure and temperature you’d experienced, the amount of exercise you are getting, even the humidity where you live," the statement read.
"The smartphone-sensor-network is poised to become one of the most powerful tools in both meteorology and medicine."
Weathersignal, which also provides information on moon phases, UV patterns, sunset times and sunrises, is available on Android only and can be downloaded via Google play.
