Realtor® Safety Real Alert Application - How Does It Work?
After reading Gene Wunderlich's blog about the latest safety app called *Real Alert, I downloaded it on my iPhone 4. If you have a smart phone I highly recommend purchasing this app. Even if you never use it, it's good to have for an emergency. You can purchase it directly via your iPhone, or you can go to the App Store online. The download was very quick and simple.
I'd like to share the results of my short test run. After the download, it shows up as an icon much like your apps for Contacts, E-mail, Camera, or Calendar. When you're showing properties, or at your Open House, just click on the icon, leave it up, and press any of the features if needed:
1. The most prominent and important feature is the 911 button of course, one press and it calls 911 directly without fussing with the keyboard--it's intuitive and very prominent. (I did not test run this one, the police really takes it seriously!)
2. I find this one very handy: it has a flashlight using the camera flash, not the screen ambient light, and it's very bright! Of course I tested this at the movies, too!
3. If you're only a bit paranoid about the showing or Open House, press the Alert A Friend icon to call someone you program into the phone--in my case, my husband's cell phone number. I tested this, and it's just like a regular phone call, but again with no fumbling on the keyboard. The call is made immediately with no prompts.
4. Another valuable feature is the Locate Hospital. My iPhone is GPS enabled, so a click on this shows the nearest hospitals to my phone, in this case St. Elizabeth Hospital in O'Fallon, Illinois, the address, and the corresponding phone number--which is live linked. All you need do is press and the app will call for you. It's very handy if you find yourself on the road and can drive, but don't want to call an ambulance. Or if someone asks about the nearest hospitals.
- Caution, don't drive to the hospital if you feel you, or your client, or family member is having a heart attack! Press the 911 button instead--that's what it's for!
5. When the creep leaves, and after you've called 911, you can use the Save Creep Data to login vital information about the creep while it's still fresh in your mind. You have an option to either Save the Creep Data by filling out the blanks, take a photo, or even record audio, and then Save it for retrieval later. One other option is to e-mail the data, with the physical features, vehicle information, etc., to yourself or whomever.
This is also applicable if you have witnessed a crime, or want to report something later so you can retrieve the information in great detail.
6. The one feature which I'm disappointed in is the Sound Alarm, when pressed it emits a tinny siren that only I can hear. If it's in your purse, I doubt anyone can hear it. Don't know if this fixable.
7. One more utility for this app that's not necessarily real estate related, is if you were in an accident or saw an accident, or witnessed a crime, you can easily call 911 and report it.
That's it! I hope you find my test results helpful. Overall, for $1.99 plus tax, this app is well worth it and might save your life, or someone else's. This app, however does not replace being aware of your surroundings and taking other precautions. Here's the link to download online: Real Alert. You can also download directly from your iPhone by clicking on the App Store logo.
EDIT: For Droid users... I was informed by the developer that the Droid app is going to be out next week. It is now live here: Real Alert for Androids. (Updated 6-16-2011)
For Blackberry users... there is a similar safety app called PANIC available now. (Updated 6-4-2011)
*I'm not paid nor asked to endorse this product. I just believe it's a great safety tool for us in the real estate industry.
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