Found this link to a smart phone APP that enables people to search for someone who's been buried by an avalanche.
Thought this was interesting but at the same time a bit dangerous if people are thinking of using a Iphone to do off piste skiing instead of a beacon. Its pretty wild what smart phones can do but there's some thing we shouldn't replace.
http://www.isis-application.com/en/
Maybe more worthwhile in an apres ski setting search for missing person in a pub? Would be a good laugh!