Australian “SOS” software app for Nokia phones could save lives

MySpot V.3 “tracking and safety” phone software has been released for Nokia and Symbian phones equipped with a GPS which can track workers such as security guards, nurses, at-risk ex-hospital patients or anyone needing the service, while also offering an “SOS panic button which instantly shows the exact location” of the person pressing the button.

Although any form of tracking device comes with notions of “Big Brother”, the need for some people to be legitimately tracked, coupled with GPS-equipped mobile phones, means a new generation of “sophisticated personal tracking” is now on offer to consumers and businesses.

The Australian developers of the MySpot SOS V.3 “Tracking and Safety” phone software say it has the “potential to save the lives of injured or threatened lone security guards, council workers and a range of night workers from paramedics, mental health nurses, office cleaning staff – in fact anyone who works alone -  and can be used to trace “lost and confused” Alzheimer’s patients plus keep an eye on patients discharged early from hospital.”

Australian “GPS specialists” GoFinder are distributing the application which “captures GPS location data at pre-set intervals controlled by the user and allows supervisors working from a home base laptop to monitor the location and safety of workers in the field at set, pre determined intervals.”

GoFinder spokesman Graham Thomas said: “Of course the software has many other uses apart from the more dramatic obvious life saving scenarios for lone workers in the field who may find themselves in difficult, dangerous and unforeseen circumstances of duress.

“Once installed, the software can also be used to provide a verifiable record of workers (such as a security guard on night rounds) exact location and the time he or she was at that location over a shift period – something which is often a point of contention between the security firm and their clients – and even between guards and management.

“With this software there will be irrefutable proof via a history report and therefore no basis for any argument or dispute whatsoever.

“For travellers, lone forestry workers and the like, the Gofinder Tracking and Safety Phone can  set out a series of electronic ‘breadcrumbs’ showing the exact trail on a Google Map plus the last recorded location, and the time that location was recorded.

“The Gofinder Tracking and Safety Phone enables employers to fulfil their legal workplace duty of care to employees working alone – but could also just as easily be used by parents wanting to ensure the safety of their children to or from school– or just out partying on Saturday night.

“The software works with any telco, is Symbian approved, easily downloaded and installed and doesn’t affect any existing functions.”

Continued on page 2, please read on.