Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Apps Prevent Your Kid From Doing This

Program locks up phones when they're in motion

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 29, 2010 11:40 AM CDT

(Newser) – If you're desperate to stop your teenager from becoming the latest moron to crash their car while texting someone, rest easy; technology is here to help. A wave of clever new apps make it physically impossible to use your phone while driving, reports David Pogue of the New York Times. They use your phone's GPS to figure out how fast you're moving, and block calls and messages if you exceed roughly 10mph.

Of course, the apps have some downsides. They'll also, for example, freeze up your phone if you're on a bus, or if you're a passenger, though some have override mechanisms. Another downside: Of the four programs Pogue highlights, all save one charge “borderline outrageous” recurring fees. And none of them work on the iPhone, because Apple doesn't allow apps to run in the background.

In this photo taken Dec. 15, 2009, Tina Derby sends text messages while driving in Concord, N.H.
In this photo taken Dec. 15, 2009, Tina Derby sends text messages while driving in Concord, N.H.   (AP Photo/Jim Cole, File)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
My TakeCLICK BELOW TO VOTE
9%
6%
2%
55%
4%
23%
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 6 comments
George-Jetson
May 3, 2010 8:51 AM CDT
I calll it natural selection
JoeQ
Apr 29, 2010 6:18 PM CDT
I suggested this on an earlier story. Some people thought the idea was stupid, violated their rights, etc.

I looked into doing this myself, but the idea can only work on smartphones with downloadable apps with built-in GPSs or inertial sensors. All such phone require special cell-phone internet service of about $30 a month on top of the normal cost of a phone. Only the richest kids have the service because it goes far beyond the cost of a simple cell phone. Parents mostly buy their teenagers non-smart phones on family plans. It wouldn't work on the iPhone, either, because Jobs was too stupid to make it multitasking to start with. Some cheap phones might have GPSs or inertial sensors so they would be a candidate for a safe phone for teenagers, but then you would need the cooperation of the manufacturer to get the data needed to make and host the app on that phone. I figure the manufacturers will be offering this feature pretty quickly; a new teen-texting safety lockout feature. Great idea to sell phones.
jagerhans
Apr 29, 2010 5:29 PM CDT
ha ha ! lameness !
 

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Timelines   |   POPSUGAR Tech   |   Business Insider   |   HuffPost Entertainment   |   NewsOne