Safety: There’s no app for that
An app called StreetSafe does, well, some stuff:
StreetSafe, a relatively new app for smartphones, claims that for a minimum of $12.50 a month, it will coach you with safety advice in frightening areas on your way to any location. One first feature is called “Walk With Me,” where the user can connect with a Safety Advisor while walking down a street. If the user feels unsafe, the Safety Advisor will stay on the line with you until you have reached your destination. In the event that something does happen to you while on the phone with a Safety Advisor, they will be able to call 911.
Or, you know, if your smartphone had a phone you could call 911 yourself. The single best safety tool at anyone’s disposal is situational awareness. A gun is nice but won’t help if you’re distracted and not paying attention. Seems to me time spent staring at your phone’s safety app is time better spent paying attention to what you’re doing and what’s happening around you.
October 1st, 2012 at 12:22 pm
“Maniac is imminent, request advice!”
(Starting at 1:00.)
October 1st, 2012 at 12:27 pm
Now if this app could make the iPhone 5 shoot out a bolt of lightning at an aggressor on the street or be used to target a drone on the street thug, it would be worth it to the user.
Having the Safety Advisor listen to your death gurgle after being knifed by a thug does not do you much good.
There’s safety and there is the illusion of safety. Gun Free Zones are an example of the latter and this clever app may be also.
October 1st, 2012 at 12:51 pm
I’m with Brandon on this one. Lightning bolt smiting the criminal before he kills you is the only way this app would ever be useful.
October 1st, 2012 at 1:19 pm
How about if the app could adapt the phone into a Holtzman Shield generator?
Could be useful.
October 1st, 2012 at 3:25 pm
Well Said Unc.
October 1st, 2012 at 5:15 pm
I renamed them Rules For A Swordfighter, to get the daughter (My The Daughter) to pay more attention, but I learned them as rules for a motorcycle a long time ago. http://krites.blogspot.com/2010/04/rules-for-swordfighter.html They are applicable to just walking down the street, too.
October 1st, 2012 at 5:19 pm
You mean, they have a “Street Safe” app that requires you to pay attention to your fracking phone…while you walk through areas requires extreme external vigilance?
Brilliant!
Many will pay and feel safe, at least until the need it. Those that find it doesn’t work won’t be around to give negative reviews or request a refund.
Wish I had thought of that.
October 1st, 2012 at 5:20 pm
My ‘app’ is my Kahr CW9.
More phone is for calling 911 so they can come clean up.
Because they won’t get there in time to save my ass. Thats up to me!
Thats my ‘Street Safe’.
Safety adviser…dear lord what next?
October 1st, 2012 at 5:38 pm
maddmedic: It’s also got a point and
clickbang interfaceOctober 2nd, 2012 at 10:08 am
I’ve been asking Garmin for an “avoid the ghetto” button for years. So far nothing.
October 2nd, 2012 at 2:37 pm
Mmmm, delicious Eloi…