You receive an audio notification (see link) that there's a rainbow visible from where you are. You step outside, look in the direction indicated and enjoy.
The way it works is somebody seeing a rainbow pushes "RAINBOW SIGHTED" on this app and touches a direction on a compass on the screen indicating where it's located relative to their vantage point.
The GPS, cell tower location calculates which direction other app users would look to see the rainbow from where they are.
You could also have a message board attached so people could comment on it. "Wow! Beautiful!", that sort of thing. (All text messages don't have to be profound or important.) You'd have a virtual crowd of people just enjoying something simple and pretty together. Might be nice in these divisive times, no?-- doctorremulac3, Jan 24 2017 Rainbow alert sound. https://www.youtube...watch?v=5YT9_mnJrnA [doctorremulac3, Jan 24 2017] Five rainbows actually https://what-if.xkcd.com/150/As usual - there's a relevant XKCD. Gives a great rundown on rainbows before answering the write-in question. [Custardguts, Jan 25 2017] (?) System overload. http://visionity.co...d-bulls-520x400.jpg [2 fries shy of a happy meal, Jan 25 2017] //touches a direction on a compass on the screen indicating where it's located relative to their vantage point. //
Psst. Doc - wherever you are, a rainbow is always in the same direction - directly opposite the sun. But note also that the app should only notify users who are near the original sighting, since rainbows tend to be fairly local.
But [+]. In fact, extend the App to cover other meteorological phenomena like sundogs, moonbows or circumzenithal arcs.-- MaxwellBuchanan, Jan 24 2017 //Psst. Doc - wherever you are, a rainbow is always in the same direction - directly opposite the sun//
It obviously wouldn't send notifications to those who wouldn't see anything. This would simply be saying "Hey, everybody in this area. There's a rainbow over there."
Same as somebody pointing, but this would notify people inside who might otherwise miss it.
Is good yea? I like this one. Thought I'd get more buns. Oh well.-- doctorremulac3, Jan 24 2017 Dear doc, My take on a rainbow alert is that there is something magical about discovering things on your own. With no help or outside direction. Sort of like mushroom hunting. It's not the end result, the joy lies within the hunt. It's all very zen, I know, but it's how I personally feel.-- blissmiss, Jan 24 2017 Now, if you could just do an app to pinpoint the end of one so that that pot of gold might be acquired...
<waves Zork scepter>-- RayfordSteele, Jan 24 2017 //there is something magical about discovering things on your own.//
You wouldn't like if if somebody called and said "Look out your window, there's a beautiful rainbow!"?
Actually if it was a strange man speaking in a breathy low voice that might be less than enchanting.
Especially if it was nighttime.-- doctorremulac3, Jan 24 2017 Yeah, there would be definite circumstances that would make that not ok.
Then there would be rainbow false alarms when jerks just want to see me run out the door in my pj's for no apparent reason. Oh yeah, I do that anyway...nevermind.-- blissmiss, Jan 25 2017 Yea, I think if horror movies have taught us anything it's that you don't go to the window or outside because somebody calls you on the phone.-- doctorremulac3, Jan 25 2017 I am going to send you a message: RAINBOW SIGHTED. Then when you look you will see a rainbow hot air balloon with a message BUY BUNGCO! And you will.-- bungston, Jan 25 2017 Actually a balloon would be more interesting than a rainbow, you could just be honest and say "Hey! There's a big balloon outside due north, go look at it!"-- doctorremulac3, Jan 25 2017 Double your money back guarantee if that ever happens.-- doctorremulac3, Jan 25 2017 Thank you.-- doctorremulac3, Nov 25 2021 random, halfbakery