A new context-aware adaptive application is available in the market. Named PhoneGuard, it considers the context of the user, a speed higher than 10 miles per hour, to disable the phone’s texting functions.
It works simply enough: the user loads th
e app onto the phone, and sets a password. The app, which is always on, pings GPS satellites every few seconds, and if it determines that the phone is in a moving vehicle, it renders the phone almost useless. If you try to open the text messaging app — or any other app, for that matter — while driving, a “No Texting Vehicle” message covers the screen. (You are able to answer the phone, but you can’t dial out.)
It aims to reduce accidents caused by the distraction of users who text while driving. However, once too many people are wedded to the idea of doing so, it is likely that some people will naturally look for a workaround.
Some users have complained about the app’s tendency to drain the phone’s battery, since PhoneGuard constantly pings GPS satellites to establish the user’s speed. After seven hours of use with only PhoneGuard running, the battery on a Droid2, for instance, dropped from 100 percent to zero.
The fact that PhoneGuard is free is a huge breakthrough for the category. Since the dangers of driving-while-texting became more public, app developers have sought to capitalize on the issue, by selling apps similar to PhoneGuard and then charging a monthly service to use the app. PhoneGuard has found a way to offer this potentially lifesaving technology for free.
PhoneGuard is available for Android and BlackBerry.
The original article can be retrieved at “App Smart Extra: An App Aimed to Curb Distracted Driving“.
