Nov. 10, 2014
Eleanor Skelton
[email protected]
October was domestic violence awareness month, but these issues have no timeline. With most everyone constantly carrying their smartphone, the following applications can be useful. The apps range from a quick method to find a ride, a program that prevents drunk dialing and texting and a system that users can access when they feel that their safety is threatened.
Circle of 6
Price: Free
Users can choose six contacts, prompting you to text those six people for a ride or receive a phone call as a distraction to escape undesirable situations while minimizing attention. The app also includes a button to dial the rape or sexual assault hotline RAINN or the Love is Respect hotline. Users can swap the six contacts for new ones at any time.
Winner of the 2011 White House and HHS “Apps Against Abuse” Technology Challenge
Winner of the Avon Foundation for Women/Institute of Medicine “Ending Violence @ Home”
iTunes App Store
Rated: 4/5 Updated: Dec. 16, 2013 Version: 1.4 Size: 3.4 MB Requires: iOS 6.0 or later. iPhone compatible. Optimized for iPhone 5.
Google Play Store
Rated: 4/5
Updated: Dec. 17, 2013
Size: 12 MB Installs: between 50,000 and 100,000
Version: 1.3 Requires: Android 2.1 or later
Drunk Mode
Price: Free
Prevents user from drunk dialing contacts for up to 24 hours, can block social media apps such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and SnapChat. This app texts GPS location to friends and potential designated drivers as well as sending users reminders to not drunk drive or drunk text.
iTunes App Store
Rated: 3/5 Updated: Oct. 11, 2014
Version: 3.3 Size: 13.9 MB
Requires: iOS 7.1 or later. iPhone, iPad and iPod touch compatible. Optimized for iPhone 5.
Google Play Store
Rated: 2.9/5
Updated: April 15, 2014 Size: 6.6 MB
Installs: between 1,000 and 5,000
Version: 2.0
Requires: Android 4.0 or later
MyForce
Price: $14.99/month
Similar to the OnStar system in automobiles, MyForce reaches a 24/7 “certified monitoring center.” Recommended for when a user is in an unsafe area or feeling threatened. The agent on the line then notifies authorities in the area. UCCS Public Safety implemented the app in spring 2011.
iTunes App Store
Rated: 4/5 Updated: June 16, 2012
Version: 3.1 Size: 2.7 MB
Requires: iOS 3.1.3 or later. iPhone, iPad and iPod touch compatible. Google Play Store
Rated: 3.4/5
Updated: Dec. 4, 2013 Size: 2.4 MB I
Installs: between 1,000 and 5,000 Version: 3.0.1
Requires: Android 2.0.1 or later
Safety Assistance Settings in Samsung Galaxy S5
According to Que Publishing, the phone can summon assistance from up to four contacts via a text message. The user presses the power button three times, which sends a message to the contacts with a URL to Google Maps with your current location.
Pictures from the front and back cameras, as well as sound recordings can be sent. This feature will consume battery quickly.