Comments on: Plug-in gadget halts phone texting, apps while driving

By: Lucy Lu

Lucy Lu — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 05:31:00 +0000

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By: MIAmobi

MIAmobi — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 05:28:34 +0000

By: Natalie Guba

Natalie Guba — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 22:53:39 +0000

The phone number of driver is linked to device so passengers can do whatever.

By: jamesk

jamesk — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 20:46:20 +0000

This is so pathetic that people need a device like this so they don’t use their phone while driving. Here is a better idea and it will save your $129. TURN YOUR PHONE OFF WHEN YOU ARE IN THE CAR. Novel idea, I know.

By: don

don — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 13:50:04 +0000

The problem of distracted driving is NOT solved with an app or a device. Merely talking on a phone using any means is distracted driving. That includes Bluetooth and hands-free of any type.

By: nat

nat — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 23:22:32 +0000

GPS is not reliable.

By: Art Rosenberg

Art Rosenberg — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 20:42:45 +0000

Good thinking, Erik! Presence (availability) management information could also help the contact initiator from ad hoc real-time attempts.

By: Art Rosenberg

Art Rosenberg — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 20:34:36 +0000

The exception to handset activities allows hands-free function, which will work well with the flexibility of time-critical notifications to be delivered in text or audio. We really don’t have to be notified about new emails, but “urgent” messages of any kind can be included the notification flexibilities of unified communication enabled applications (UC).

By: OTTER

OTTER — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 20:33:51 +0000

When will the media realize that the majority of smartphone users do not want their hardware locked down? I think real change on this issue is going to come from the end user – the delivery man, the car pooling mom, or the teen driver deciding to change their habits. From truckers to moms to teens that I spoke with on the issue of text and drive – there was one common thread. If presented with a Big Brother type lock down alternative, they will immediately seek “to get around it”. This does not constitute change on our highways. Selling expensive software with recurring fees that is supposed to lock down the activity forgets that it is the end user (the driver) who will ultimately decide. Let’s change behavior and we will see those violent crash rates plummet…now.

I decided to do something about distracted driving after my three year old daughter was nearly run down right in front of me by a texting driver. Instead of a shackle that locks down phones and alienates the user (especially the younger generation) I built a tool called OTTER that is a simple GPS based, texting auto reply app for smartphones. OTTER also silences those distracting call ringtones unless a bluetooth is enabled. The texting auto reply also allows college students or office workers to schedule a ‘texting blackout period’ so they can focus on a lecture, a meeting, or maybe – just get some sleep without feeling disconnected. I think if we can empower the individual then change will come to our highways and possibly allow us to focus when we need to in any situation.

Erik Wood, owner
OTTER LLC
OTTER app

By: Jack Sprat

Jack Sprat — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 20:32:08 +0000

You would only need the box for older phones, right? A phone with a modern GPS chipset should be able to reliably tell if the car is moving. Seems like the whole thing should’ve been done in the app itself.