WIFI tracking with cellphones.

[PAINx5]

The game works like this, you have these objects that will be hidden in a park/school/building. These objects will have tracking chips in them. People will have to use their cellphones in order to find these objects.

How could this be done the cheapest way?

The only idea that popped into my mind was using some sort of wifi/gps chip.

The range has to be longer than bluetooth.

Any ideas?

[EzyStvy]

Google-> dog tracking systems

They only cost $400 or so a pop...and up.

[Force Flow]

What you're describing sounds like Geocaching - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[PAINx5]

Is there some sort of tracking devices that I could get that comes with an app or could be accessed through a smartphone?

Maybe an app that allows you to mark locations and people could use their GPS to find that location.

[Force Flow]

The closest you can get is a website that marks the location: Geocaching - The Official Global GPS Cache Hunt Site

As soon as you put hardware into the equation, the cost will skyrocket.

[edit]: You could also try setting points on google maps, and let the phone do its thing with GPS navigation with google maps: http://www.google.com/mapmaker?output=html

[EzyStvy]

I just stumbled across this:

Lost Pet? There's an App for That But pet owners can find their best friend with the help of the Garmin GTU 10 tracker, which AT&T offers customers. The small, waterproof device fits in a small pouch that can be clipped onto a pet's collar. GPS system information lets pet owners track their pets anywhere in the world. Their positions can be viewed on a smartphone and over the Internet. Lost Pet? There's an App for That - Local News - Dallas/Fort Worth, TX - Dallas/Fort Worth, TX - msnbc.com

Not sure how much fun this game of yours would be.... If 80 people turn on their cell phones - wouldn't they all see that the device is at the same place and all be able to find it?