SMSReplier Update 3.2 Online!

What was once an already outstanding product has gotten a small—but significant—upgrade. This is an application I have praised before on this site: SMSReplier Pro. With the new update, version 3.2, comes a new home screen for the app when you’re driving. While pictures speak louder than words (which is why the image is posted for your viewing to the left), I can only say that what seems like such a simple change is in fact quite a renovation.

When you look at how a simple text can be the difference between a dangerous and safe driving experience, or in some cases, life or death, it makes sense why a main screen change to improve safety is noteworthy. Not only does it simply improve the options for the user, it makes the entire screen easier to see and use. I’m not the only one who feels this way either; respectable sources such as Hardware Geeks claim that “DriveReply is essential." Thanks to Iconosys for the new upgrade and keep up the good work! You’re saving lives with every new development.

For more information, visit Iconosys.com and SMSReplier.com

-Written by: Brandon S.

-Edited by: James M.

SMSReplier Now for Blackberry!

BlackBerry just got better with the new addition of the SMS Replier application (www.smsreplier.com). The BlackBerry has now followed the Android and Windows Mobile phones in getting this application. This application, which is developed by Iconosys Inc. (www.iconosys.com), is revolutionary in how it helps drivers to not send that text message which could be deadly. The critics are overjoyed with this application because of its simplicity and the functionality that it brings to whichever mobile device that it is installed on. SMS Replier has both customizable and default messages which you can use to set while you are away. The app also comes with DriveReply™, which uses the phone’s built in GPS to know if you are driving that way it can send a message saying that you are driving. With many of the states banning texting and driving (and the remaining on their way to banning the activity), companies are developing applications to help drivers. Iconosys is leading the industry, with their mobile applications, to protect both the drivers and bystanders who walk along the street.

SMS Replier is well worth the money it costs to buy the application. The application is ready to download for $19.95 at the BlackBerry App World. Videos will be available to learn how to download, install, and use on the SMS Replier Youtube channel (www.youtube.com/SMSReplier).

SMS Replier is updated regularly with updates which make both the application easier and better to use. Just recently the application was updated so that it uses less of the battery while it is running. Iconosys are always thinking about the user, and they aim to satisfy. SMS Replier is proof of this. It is a necessity to have on your mobile devices and should be installed on every phone.

Written by Nick R.

Edited by Brandon S.

The New Form of Gluttony?

Times have changed. Modern society demands information at the blink of an eye. Like a double-edged sword technology has provided us with the means of obtaining information faster than we can even process it. Smart phones, the leading tool in telecommunication and information sharing; have taken over the cyber world, and with that, distracted driving has become an epidemic. The thirst for information and instant communication has created a problem so vast, it has been nearly impossible to control. Even with laws and legislations, people have found ways to hide their dirty driving habits. In 2008 alone, 6,000 people died from texting while driving. We as a society need to ban together to stop the unnecessary tragedies caused by texting and driving. The use of the internet as a media source is growing like wildfire, and we can use it as a tool to raise awareness of the dangers of texting and driving.

Textkills.com is one of the newest sites with the most up-to-date and inspiring pieces on texting and driving. This site keeps a fresh outlook on this deadly trend and promotes ways to stop it. Take a minute to check it out...it could just save your life.

-Written by: Leila Esmaeli
-Edited by: Philip McLean, James Maloney

City in Alabama Takes Texting While Driving into Their Own Hands

Huntsville City bans texting while driving

Mayor Tommy Battle

The state of Alabama may not have put a ban on texting while driving yet, but some cities are moving forward on the issue. On July 22, the Huntsville City Council became the 5th city in the state to make texting while driving illegal.

Proposed by Huntsville mayor Tommy Battle, the ordinance prohibits drivers from sending or receiving text messages, pictures, or emails while driving. A first offense means a fine of $100, up to $500 and three months in jail for three violations or more.

Even though all five city council members voted unanimously on the issue, some still have doubts on how the ordinance will be enforced, especially knowing it of secondary enforcement, meaning an officer must see drivers breaking another law before pulling them over for texting while driving.

“I see problems with this, but I am certainly not going to sit up here and vote against it because that would be sending the message that it’s ok to text,” said councilwoman Sandra Moon.

For Mayor Tommy Battle, this was the right decision to make the roads safer in Huntsville.

“This tonight is just a common sense idea, don’t be looking down taking your eyes off the road when you should be looking at the road,” he said.

The ordinance will take effect on September 22.

Source: WAAY TV, July 22, 2010; WAFF 48 News, July 23, 2010

How technology enhances the back-to-school experience

.....Texting is also a serious issue that has taken on many different forms, two of those being texting while driving and sexting. And while technology may be to blame, technology is also working to fix the problem. Many companies are trying to make parents sleep a little easier. Iconosys has an SMS Replier, which sends a prewritten message out to people who text someone when he or she is driving. That way, they don’t feel pressured to whip their phone out and start texting as they cruise down the highway. Although the SMS Replier is available now for certain phones, it is not yet ready for the iPhone but should be soon. That’s great for texting while driving....
- As found in the "LA Tmes" (6/15/10)

Excerpt from LAPD Magazine

L.A. Fire Chief Millage Peaks offered a sobering statistic Monday [June 7] as he joined Chief Beck and Mayor Villaraigosa in launching a campaign to stop the dangerous practice of texting while driving: the LAFD responds to 100 traffic accidents a day and 28 percent are caused by someone texting while driving. That’s potentially more than 10,000 accidents in Los Angeles annually that could be prevented by focusing on the road instead of your iPhone, Blackberry, or cell phone.

The U.S. Department of Transportation tells us there are three forms of distracted driving: taking one’s eyes off the road (visual), taking one’s hands off the steering wheel (manual), or taking one’s attention off driving (cognitive), any of which creates a greater risk of injury or death while driving. Because texting while driving involves all three, it is the most dangerous form of distracted driving. Other research has shown that drivers who send or receive a text message tend to take their eyes off the road for about five seconds, enough time for a vehicle going at highway speed to travel more than 100 yards. This helps explain why nearly 6,000 people died in crashes involving distracted or inattentive drivers last year and more than 500,000 were injured. Researchers found that the most frequent offenders are the youngest and least-experienced drivers—men and women under the age of 20.

Chief Beck noted that it is illegal to text while driving and he has instructed officers to enforce the law. Every time a motorist is stopped for such an infraction, he/she spreads the word to family, friends, and coworkers that police are cracking down on the dangerous practice. As the word gets out, more and more people will comply with the law—for their own and others’ safety.

In our fast-paced, multitasking society—where we all feel time challenged—it can be very tempting to read and/or respond to text messages while stopped at a traffic signal or in grid-lock. We certainly hope the campaign launched this week will cause people to take steps to avoid the temptation. If you find it hard to resist, try this: silence your device and put it in the glove compartment until you reach your destination. You will be doing your part to make our streets and highways much safer.

As Found in LAPD Magazine(6/7/10)

Speech Recognition Texting vs Automated Texting

Recently there has been a lot of commotion to ban texting and driving in the United States and throughout the world. There are many companies out there trying to develop new applications and devices to prevent texting and driving accidents from happening. Due to an uprising in many new developers coming out and sharing their products, some people have questions. One of the biggest ones is whether the applications which will read you the text and then allows for speech to text replies, or the applications which will send out an automated message every time you receive a text or a call is better.



What are the Pros and Cons of Speech Recognition?

The pros of the speech recognition applications are that you can know what the text said and then send an immediate text back. Although this would be a nice application to have, and could potentially be very useful… it still doesn’t get rid of the fact that it is still distracting. Sure, you do not have to be looking down at the phone and completely focused on what is being texted, but you still will end up looking at the phone and making sure what you said is texted. There was a recent video of the CEO of one of these companies displaying their product and while he was being filmed he drove through a red light. So, obviously these products still are not distraction free.

What are the Pros and Cons of Automated Text Response?

The pros of the automated text response applications are that your mind and focus can be full on the road and on what is happening around you. Also, with products like SMSReplier (http://www.smsreplier.com/) , it allows you to send either a default or custom message back to people stating what your current activity is. Little innovations like this are what is driving the industry forward and helping to prevent more texting while driving accidents. The only downside to applications like SMSReplier is that you cannot send the text right that minute; you would have to wait to send the response that you wanted to send when you arrive at your destination.

The Verdict…

I would have to go with the automated texting response applications, such as SMSReplier (http://www.smsreplier.com/). It is a lot safer for the user and still gets the job done. I would trade my safety for a late text message any day of the week.

For more information about SMS Replier and other available features visit http://www.smsreplier.com/ or http://www.iconosys.com/. For news and stories about texting and driving visit http://www.textkills.com/.