Last week we posted about some useful safety apps for your phone. As we mentioned, while they won't take care of everything they can certainly help out. One area we didn't cover is the danger of texting on the go. Sure it's no shark diving, base jumping or night on the town with Snooki, but it has its inherent hazards. Here are some apps to help protect you and your loved ones, from the uncertainty and perils of a dangerous, word-filled world.
Type-n-Walk (iOS | $)
One second you're writing an impassioned love text to that hottie you met last night, the next you're plastered on the front of a Grayhound. For those that can't put their phone down texting and walking is akin to walking and breathing, but with all your focus on that imporant SMS you're left with none for things like crossing the street and avoiding bike messengers. Type-n-Walk solves that by making the background of your phone a live feed from its camera that you can type over and copy and paste from. SMS addicts rejoice (and live to text another day)!
Textecution (Android | $29.99)
We're not sure why so many text and drive. It seems relatively sensical that attempting to write a novella while staying alert enough to avoid children falling in the street, people who run red lights and that jerk who can't decide which of the four lanes are his so he's swerving like Kyle Petty at Daytona is nigh impossible. Textecution elminates the temptation entirely by detecting when your phone is moving faster than 10 mph and shutting off the phone's texting feature. Texctecution would work well for kids, employees with company phones, or even for yourself if the temptation is too much.
Don't Dial (iOS | $.99)
Like a DD for your phone, Don't Dial will help save you from social disaster by locking down your contacts for a certain period of time. You can still dial numbers so if you know a number by heart you can use it, which good because you've probably memorized the number for 911 and electronic contact lists mean we can't remember more than a couple numbers. Contacts can also be unlocked by a DD who sets the password for this phone lockdown. It's the buddy system for drunk dialing.
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Was just watching the news as I opened AT... the lead story is about how a teenager walked into the path of a freight train at a level crossing while he was texting, and was killed.
I hate getting stuck BEHIND someone who is texting--inevitably they slow down and start weaving all over the sidewalk.
*Greyhoud
haha make that Greyhound. D'oh.
Not sure why anyone with half a brain would need the first two; you can save the $.99-$30 by just not acting like a moron, problem solved (though I guess if I had teenagers who are, by their very natures, morons, it might be a good investment).
Seriously? I am so glad I don't have a smart phone. Apparently they really do turn you into a moronic baby.
*facepalm*
Oh yeah, we're screwed as a species.
#8 in agreement. Is time so lacking that we can't take a moment to stop, step to the side (I'm with you, Smilla), and send that text?!
Of all the apps that could be created, that has got to be one of the most frivolous.
the phone doesn't turn people into morons. it just brings it out.
Is this a joke?! We need an app to see where we are going while we text? How about we just put the phone away and look? I am really concerned for the state of humanity and stuff like this doesn't my concern.
doesn't help my concern**
If Textecution truly "elminates" people who are foolish enough to text and drive, then I am all in favor of it. We need more elm trees and fewer drivers who don't watch the road.
Textecution is something I'd get for my daughter when she's old enough to drive. And Don't Dial would have been very useful for me a few years ago, when I would actually get roaring drunk and then attempt to fix all the relationships in my life via phone at 3:00am.
Thats f n stupid. just put that crap in your pocket and live a little.
But it won't let you see that bus that's about to T-Bone you as you step out into the crosswalk.
Ridiculous. We are turning into idiot robots.
oh boy. This is sad and weird. I'm depressed.
I'm with Sherrybinnh on this. How pathetic are we as a society that we can't even put our phones down for a few minutes between "Don't Walk" signs? What's next? Video phone behind texting so you can eat at different restaurants than your spouse but watch them eating behind your texting while you're eating?
Really iPhone. Get a life.
I'm surprised no one has mentioned this yet: Type n Walk doesn't really seem to jive with how most people use their phones. Who walks around and holds their phone straight forward in front of them? Most people are holding their phone in one hand looking down towards the ground. You're not going to see what's directly in front of you; you're going to see what's on the ground. That might help you avoid potholes but that's about it.
why are people who are reading a blog about technology so pissed about smartphone apps? if you don't like smartphones or technology why are you reading this blog? not just reading but posting comments as well? i think the walk and text app is creative--does it make a huge advancement of the human race? no but that's not its intention either.
Safer my ass.