ZoomSafer Launches Public Beta To Prevent Distracted Driving
When I’m on BlackBerry Messenger or AIM sometimes I’ll see people put “Driving” as their status. Depending on what app they’re using it may take a few steps to change their status before they can begin to drive, or they update their status while driving (illegal in some areas). This is where ZoomSafer comes in and makes it easy to notify people that you are driving.
ZoomSafer is currently in public beta and initially only available for BlackBerry smartphones. Current features for the first phase of the beta include:
Auto speed detection – ZoomSafer detects when you start to drive and automatically activates.
Safety Announcements – A recorded message plays when ZoomSafer activates reminding you to drive safely. We’ve pre-recorded several announcements for the Beta, but in phase 2 of the beta you’ll be able to record your own custom announcements as well as choose from several Celebrity Safety Announcements.
Auto-Toots – These are messages sent on your behalf to friends, families, and social networks to tell them when you’ve started and stopped driving. These updates can be sent via SMS or E-mail to up to 3 contacts as well as to Facebook or Twitter.
Keyboard Locking – Your keypad will be locked when ZoomSafer is activated except for:
Soft-key to exit the app when you have stopped driving or if you are a passenger.
Dialing 9-1-1
Three Priority Contacts – You can enter up to three Priority Contacts who will be able to call and interrupt you while you are driving. Inbound calls from priority contacts will be announced via a generic audio-alert. In phase 2 of the beta you will be able to create custom ZoomRingers for each of your priority contacts.
Inbound phone call management – While you are driving, we will suppress ringer/notification of all inbound callers who are not listed as Priority Contacts.
Inbound email/text message management – While you are driving, we will suppress all messaging-related inbound alerts.
Auto-Responses – While you are driving, if people try and contact you via phone or text – they will receive an auto-response notifying them that you are focused on the road and that you will respond once you’ve reached your destination safely.
If you would like to participate in the beta you can register at http://www.zoomsafer.com/. More info in the full press release after the jump, or watch to video above to see how it works. Looks useful!
Press Release
RESTON, Va.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–ZoomSafer (http://www.zoomsafer.com/) launches today the public beta of its patented service to minimize motorist distractions stemming from the use of mobile phones while driving.
“We’ve developed an innovative, yet practical, safe driving solution to help mobile phone users focus on the road, not on their phones when driving,” said Mike Riemer, CEO and co-founder of ZoomSafer. “Distracted driving is a huge and growing problem, and we’re excited to share the beta version of our software with members of the public and incorporate people’s feedback so we can further refine the service and maximize adoption.”
“As a mobile-device addicted person who frequently drove distracted, Zoomsafer is helping me make better decisions everyday as a motorist” said Matt Howard, co-founder of ZoomSafer. “Having tested the beta extensively I can honestly say that I am less distracted and more focused when driving – and I am excited to see what ZoomSafer can do for others.”
The initial beta program is for Blackberry users only – with support for Windows Mobile and Google Android planned for year end.
Phase one of the beta includes the following core safety features:
Auto speed detection – ZoomSafer detects when you start to drive and automatically activates.
Safety Announcements – A recorded message plays when ZoomSafer activates reminding you to drive safely. We’ve pre-recorded several announcements for the Beta, but in phase 2 of the beta you’ll be able to record your own custom announcements as well as choose from several Celebrity Safety Announcements.
Auto-Toots – These are messages sent on your behalf to friends, families, and social networks to tell them when you’ve started and stopped driving. These updates can be sent via SMS or E-mail to up to 3 contacts as well as to Facebook or Twitter.
Keyboard Locking – Your keypad will be locked when ZoomSafer is activated except for:
Soft-key to exit the app when you have stopped driving or if you are a passenger.
Dialing 9-1-1
Three Priority Contacts – You can enter up to three Priority Contacts who will be able to call and interrupt you while you are driving. Inbound calls from priority contacts will be announced via a generic audio-alert. In phase 2 of the beta you will be able to create custom ZoomRingers for each of your priority contacts.
Inbound phone call management – While you are driving, we will suppress ringer/notification of all inbound callers who are not listed as Priority Contacts.
Inbound email/text message management – While you are driving, we will suppress all messaging-related inbound alerts.
Auto-Responses – While you are driving, if people try and contact you via phone or text – they will receive an auto-response notifying them that you are focused on the road and that you will respond once you’ve reached your destination safely.
Phase two of the beta will commence in November, is fully customizable, and will include the following hands-free productivity features:
ZoomSafer Voice Safety Portal – While driving with your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel you’ll be able to use your voice to create, listen to, and reply to e-mails and text messages. You’ll also be able to use your voice to update Twitter and Facebook as well as listen to additional content services such as new, weather, and sports feeds.
User defined inbound calling – You’ll have even more control to decide who can call you when you’re driving.
ZoomRingers – You’ll be able to have your personal contacts record a ZoomRinger that plays when they call you. You will no longer have to look at your phone to know who is calling. If a call does not have a ZoomRinger associated with it, ZoomSafer will read the phone number to you.
Priority Text Messages and Emails – When you receive a text message or e-mail from a Priority Contact, you will be told audibly about the message and asked whether you want to listen to it.
Individuals interested in participating in the beta can register at http://www.zoomsafer.com/.
About ZoomSafer Inc.
ZoomSafer is the safest way to use your mobile phone while driving. We provide innovative mobile software and services to prevent distracted driving for the 20 million smart phone users including prosumers, small business users, families and young drivers, enterprises, and government organizations. For more information, or to download our media kit, please visit us on the web http://www.zoomsafer.com/.
