Ladies and gentlemen, choose your weapon

In case you missed it, here's a fabulous article from the July 2011 issue of REALTOR Magazine:

"Feeling threatened? How to use your smartphone as a weapon."

We've all had moments of discomfort before...the dangers are very real. So in addition to using our head, there are apps that are recommended.

Moby www.mymoby.com

This app asks your phone at predetermined times "Are you OK?" If 2 questions are not answered, the app will automatically contact people you designate. And then its GPS feature provided via your smartphone will provide your location.

Features include: 

  • Tracking tool to reveal your location to certain contacts
  • Alert tool to automatically alert your selected contacts if you need help

Real Alert --- a brainchild of a REALTOR working with developers.

For iPhone: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/real-alert/id436455476?mt=8
For Android: https://market.android.com/details?id=com.realalert.android

With this app, you can quickly alert your emergency contacts (program ICE as "In Case of Emergency" ) or police when you feel you are in danger. The app also features 

  • Quick tap button to alert your emergency contacts wor 911 hen you need help.
  • Record "creep data," to detail physical descriptions, vehicle information, and other important information for police. You can also record audio details or even take a photo.
  • Retrieve the location of nearby hospitals by using your GPS location.
  • Sound an alarm to ward off potential attackers. (The volume will depend on the sound setting on your phone.)
  • Turn your smartphone into a flashlight.

Safe Trec http://safetrec.

Press a panic button to instantly alert others you need help. Email and text messages are sent to your emergency contacts and provides your location using your phone's GPS

 

IcePics http://www.icepics.com

Take a photo of the suspicious person and have it emailed instantly to your emergency contacts, along with your location. The suspect perp won't even know it. You can pretend to make a call but tilt the phone toward the person to take a photo which is taken without a click sound.

 

There are free versions. And the ones that charge a fee are so inexpensive. And even if these were pricey...

We're worth it!

 
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28 Comments on Forget pepper spray....use your smartphone as your weapon!

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All

JUL
20
2011
162,400 Points 4 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Pacita, thank you for the list! I saw a re-post of it and it will definitely make the rounds with us. We have a list of folks to share it with.

Jacque

Jacque & Larry
5:22am • #9
616,886 Points 60 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Larry and Jacque

Glad it is helpful. For what these apps do they should be in our arsenal of apps.
5:37am • #10
1,095,711 Points 25 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Pacita, so many apps to help us protect ourselves...thanks for the post!
6:52am • #11
810,224 Points 163 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Pacita, this is very good information. I am going to check into a few of these, thank you!

You are featured in Bananatude!

Bananatude
7:06am • #12
1,450,126 Points 46 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Thank you for the tips. I will bookmark this and look into the apps.
7:35am • #13
616,726 Points 94 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Awesome, Awesome, Awesome Inormation!  Suggested!
10:29am • #14
671,109 Points 37 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

I'm always looking for more safety tools and procedures for Realtors and this sounds like a winner!  Suggested and reblogged!
12:59pm • #15
650,191 Points Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Really good suggestions -- thanks for sharing them -- can't ever be too safe.
2:49pm • #16
678,818 Points 51 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

It's amazing the things that they've come up with. I love the photo going to your ICE people and letting them know where you are.
4:03pm • #17
616,886 Points 60 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Rebecca -- you're welcome. Be careful out there!

Andrea -- already downloaded Real Alert.

Gita --- bookmark, read, then pack and load!

Brenda -- thanks. Make sure you get at least one app for yourself and one for each member of your family

Susan --- thanks. for the reblog. Spread the word!

Benjamin -- these would be good for anyone with a smartphone

Connie --- necessity is the mother of invention.

 
5:32pm • #18
130,156 Points Hit Router Called Shot Master

Pacita!  Great information!  I'm going to check these apps out.
5:51pm • #19
JUL
21
2011
616,886 Points 60 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Olga --- good luck. Whether one is a realtor or not, we can use at least one app.
12:44pm • #20
477,596 Points 15 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Pacita -- Bookmarking this. Have a blackberry now which I love, but the iPhone just has SO many cool apps.  I'm up for a replacement in September so I am getting ready.
7:17pm • #21
JUL
23
2011
1,027,814 Points 237 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Pacita- I just found this and have suggested.  Like Richard, I thought the tip might be to throw it at the attacker!  I love the apps you mentioned and knew about Moby but will check out  Real Alert. 
11:17am • #22
2 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Excellent post!  I didn't know about any of these apps - but will definitely be checking out a few of them, I'm sure.  There's been a lot of talk about Realtor safety, lately...
5:27pm • #23
616,886 Points 60 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Barbara, I had the iphone 3G. But had to switch to Droid X when I went from AT&T to Verizon. But I missed my iphone so much. When my Droid died in a watery grave, I went back to iphone. Got the ipad, too

Kathy -- unless one has superb marksmanship and strength, I don't know how much damage a hurled phone can inflict (except in one's pocket when it comes time to replace). He was funny!

Jean -- safety should be foremost in our minds. We are realtors take way too many risks.

 
6:34pm • #24
JUL
25
2011
654,931 Points 2 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Now that is a really helpful smart phone.  I had not heard of the App.
2:25am • #25
616,886 Points 60 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Tim ---

This app would be good for anyone with a smartphone, regardless of age or profession.

Get yours!
2:57am • #26
440,856 Points 4 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Called Shot Master

These are awesome ideas ... Very timely!  Thanks for sharing them!
7:57pm • #27
616,886 Points 60 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Lisa --- glad you find these helpful. Be careful out there!
9:44pm • #28

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Pacita Rainmaker_large

Pacita Dimacali - ePRO, SRES, CDPE, MBA Alain Pinel in Alameda County CA

Oakland, CA

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Alain Pinel

Address: 6211 La Salle Ave, Oakland, CA, 94611

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