Lately, we have placed a lot of emphasis on mobile technology, especially smartphones and their “app” compatibility. As we’ve discussed in the past, smartphone applications, or “apps” for short, provide a wide array of services to users, including advanced calculators, gps devices, and games. Many of these applications are simple novelties (such as iPhone’s guitar digital guitar app, seen here ), however, as the FBI has recently proven, smartphone technology can be a lifesaver – quite literally.
Recently, the FBI announced hte release of its “FBI Child ID” app. This application allows parents to digitally store photos and information about their child to have at the ready if their children were to ever go missing. Hypothetically, if the parent already has this safety net of information stored, then they can immediately show the information to police officers immediately upon reporting the missing child. This can potentially avoid several hours’ worth of time spent gathering information, which could allows for a more speedy response on behalf of the law.
The FBI claims that the device does not allow them to collect the data stored and early users of the app have expressed concern with the lack of password-protection or other security measures on the program; however, these are issues which can be resolved via updates and by no means stand in the way of the products’ usefulness. The application also includes a large “Call 911″ button, which some parents worry could cause problems if children find themselves playing with their parents’ phones – although we at Paradynamix have a simple solution to this: Don’t let small children play with your smartphone.
Despite some concerns amongst users, the FBI’s first safety application possesses enough common-sense, easy-to-use features to render it a lifesaver if the unthinkable were to happen. In a world of silly gadgetry and shallow programs, it’s nice to see a truly useful application.
