Plastic Surgeon Frank Ryan Confirmed To Have Been Texting While Driving

Next to, “Don’t drink and drive” people who drive should bear in mind that they should not use their mobile phones be it to call, to text or to update their Twitter, Facebook or any other social networking accounts because like driving under the  influence it could cost them their lives.

This is exactly what happened to plastic surgeon Frank Ryan, whose clients include the likes of Heidi Montag and other celebrities, when he accidentally went over a cliff.

According to his ex-girlfriend, Charmaine Blake, Frank Ryan was texting to send a Twitter message about his border collie, Jill, who was also in the car at the time of the crash. Miraculously, Jill survived despite injuries to the head, eye and paw.

The California Highway Patrol also confirmed that Ryan was texting at the time of the accident. However, investigators have not officially determined the cause of the accident

As found in: World Correspondents, August 19, 2010 by Jennifer Mercado

Saving Your Battery

"The modern day mobile phone is not just a phone anymore. The modern day mobile phone is an essential service provider to so many of our daily needs. It serves many functions formerly reserved for desktops, laptops, mp3 players, video and still cameras, calendars, and word processors; not to mention the endless new services that we now take for granted with widgets, add-ons, and apps. With more than a million apps now available for Smart Phones, something needs to be watching your battery when you're not.”

The above paragraph is an example of our world’s technological thirst. Although many of us don’t realize it, everything we use our phones or devices for sucks energy from the battery, even if the phone is sitting idle in your pocket or bag. We also hear every day how a simple phone call or text can change a person’s life. Most media today travels through handheld devices, so whether it’s news about a favorite sports team, an election, or simply the news that dinner is ready, the texts and calls we get everyday are important. Without them, society as well as individuals would be at a loss. You never know what you’re missing when your phone is dead.

Battery-Alert, the new app from Iconosys Inc., keeps track of your phone’s battery life so you don’t have to. For the time being, it is available exclusively for the Android and can be purchased at Battery-Alert.com. It alerts you when your phone’s battery reaches a critical level and keeps you up to date on the life of the battery. It reminds you to plug your phone in before it dies, allowing you to always stay in the loop. Because...who knows what could happen when you’re not?

 

Boot Camp Reports on SMSReplier

"Another solution to block texting while driving. I'm Fred Fishkin with technology BootCamp, a report on gadgets and gear. While the dangers are obvious, you don't have to be on the road for long to see drivers who are texting behind the wheel. One solution, created by a company called Iconosys, is designed to send automated replies, when your car is moving. It currently works with Android, BlackBerry and Windows Mobile devices. Founder and CEO Wayne Irving..

"DriveReply basically is a technology that runs on the phone, that identifies whether or not the phone is in motion. It's one click driver-passenger technology so you can disable it if you're a passenger. But it tracks the speed of the car and what type of traveling the car is doing. So a message can be responded if somebody's calling you or somebody's sending you a text message."

And the automated responses can be personalized. DriveReply sells for about 17 dollars. An iPhone version is in the works. You can find us at BootCamp.com."

Written by Fred Fishkin for BootCamp.com, which you can find here.

To listen to the broadcast, follow this link.

SMSReplier Called a Back-to-School Essential!

"They can study, hold an after-school job, and keep a group of friends, but they still may need a little help from their parents in finding (and paying for) the best gear for back-to-school. Forget those boring backpacks and same ol' supplies. We've got an eye for the newest and best tech on the market for teenagers, and this guide has six amazing products and services for their class time and anytime!

SMS Replier with Drive Reply
Free for Lite Version, $19.95 for Pro Version

Does the thought of your teen on the road leave you a bit... concerned? If you've caught your child texting while driving (or being tempted to check messages), this easy fix may be for you. A simple app for Blackberry, Android, and Windows Mobile (an iPhone version will be released later this summer), the SMS Replier may literally save a life. At speeds of 15 MPH or greater, the Drive Reply feature automatically engages and responds to all incoming text messages with a customizable auto-reply, letting everyone know that driving safely comes first! All SMS communication can be put on hold until your teen arrives safely at their driving destination."

Written by Linsey Knerl for My Life Scoop, where the article can be found here.

Iconosys Launches Revolutionary Phone App

Mobile application developer Iconosys has launched a revolutionary SMS Replier Pro app for smartphones which feature the company’s proprietary DriveReply technology.

SMS Replier is a conscientious solution to the dangerous texting-while-driving social epidemic. Driver safety is very critical for families who will be travelling on the nation’s roadways and with the economy still in the dumps, more families have been opting to drive to their destination rather than fly to their destinations.

SMS Replier Pro enhances the existing and exponentially growing international SMS network, by joining it with the latest services which are readily available on the most popular Smartphone platforms; like real time traffic, mapping and GPS. SMS Replier Pro can be downloaded by users on their Smartphone through the company’s website www.smsreplier.com or by visiting the Android (News - Alert)marketplace or the marketplace for their Smartphone platform. SMS Replier Pro is currently available for Android phones like HTC Eris, Cliq, Droid Incredible, Motorola Droid, Devour, Samsung (News - Alert) M900, G1, Hero, Desire, T-mobile myTouch 3G, Sprint Samsung Moment, Zepplin, and the MB 300, whereas the versions of the same app for Windows Mobile and BlackBerry will be released during the week. AniPhone (News - Alert)-compatible version will be released shortly, by mid-summer.

When enabled, the SMS Replier Pro with DriveReply automatically sends an immediate response to inbound calls and text messages independently, allowing the driver to concentrate on the driving and not on the phone. A number of value added and rich features are available on the SMS Replier Pro, like unlimited custom messages, editable pre-loaded default messages, noreply/blocklist, white list enhancements, spam and shortcode filtering, and last but not the lease even facilitating a unique differentiation between callers and texters.

When driving, the smart technology in SMS Replier triggers the automatic text message response whenever a call or text is received by the driver; the default reply says “I’m Driving, I’ll call or text you back as soon as I arrive at my destination.”

SMS Replier Pro is available with up to 26 pre-set convenience messages with timers which can be used in a variety of situations, enabling users to choose between automatically select easy pre-loaded text message responses, or creating practically unlimited number of complete customizable responses as well.

Written by Calvin Azuri for TMCnet.com 

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Edited by Brandon S. for Blogger.

SMS Replier Pro Thwarts Texting and Calling While Driving

source: blogs.edmunds.com, 8/6/10

There's no shortage of apps designed to thwart texting while driving (TWD), and SMS Replier Pro from Iconosys joins their ranks for those with Android devices. When enabled, SMS Replier Pro uses a phone's built-in GPS function to detect when a phone inside a car is traveling above 15 mph and automatically sends a default text reply that reads, "I'm driving. I"ll call or text you back as soon as I come to my destination," when a text or call comes in.


The SMS Replier Pro app is only available for Android phones and sells for $9.95 either on the developer's website or via the Android Market. Iconosys claims that the app will be available for BlackBerry and Windows Mobile phones by next week, and for iPhones shortly afterward. While the app is primarily designed to address TWD, it can also be used for times when an owner doesn't want to be disturbed, such as at the movies or in a meeting. And while the app automatically kicks in on the go, in static situations it can be set to auto-respond.

In addition to the default driving reply, there are 20 other preset replies, such as "in class, "in meeting" or "busy." Users can also enter their own customized messages, such as "AFK" ("away from keyboard" in text-speak). Of course, you don't need an app to avoid texting while driving. You can choose to turn off your phone or ignore it while behind the wheel for free.
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SMSReplier (www.smsreplier.com) is a mobile application developed by Iconosys Inc. (www.iconosys.com) Let's help to stop texting while driving, one driver at a time!

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Texts Be Gone

source: nytimes.com, 8/9/10

There are a number of text-blocking smartphone applications available that prevent the sending and receiving of texts in inappropriate situations, such as driving or attending class. Those products include tXtBlocker and ZoomSafer, among others.

Recently I’ve been looking at a new one: SMS Replier, from Iconysys. The app, available for Android, BlackBerry and Windows Mobile phones, acts like an e-mail automated response; when someone sends a text to a phone with SMSReplier, the sender receives an automated message indicating that the receiver cannot respond at the moment.

SMS Replier is highly customizable. You can choose from among a wide variety of preloaded responses, or create your own. You can personalize each response and add the sender’s name, if it’s in your address book. The program can also distinguish between texts and voice calls; if someone phones you and SMSReplier is activated, they will receive a text message stating that the receiver will call, as opposed to text, later.

The $19.95 app, which includes a year of free updates, also automatically turns on when driving, and stays on when you stop at red lights or stop signs. If you are simply a passenger, you can turn SMS Replier off, but as a safety precaution  it will automatically turn on again in 150 minutes. An algorithm, which is still under development, can also distinguish whether you are driving a car or simply riding in a train or bus. While I couldn’t test this feature (there are no trains where I live and scant buses), the app’s developer, Wayne Irving, said it will be highly accurate when available in a few weeks.

Other features include the ability to block responses to certain individuals, for example, a spouse who is tired of receiving automated messages every time you are in a meeting. Conversely, you can also create a list of five individuals whose texts will always get through, ensuring that you will never miss a message from your child — unless you have more than five children.

In testing, the app worked exactly as described. While the company sent along instructions, I ignored them and figured out the program myself, which proved to be a simple task.

SMS Replier is a useful, low-cost way to avoid the temptation to look at your smartphone whenever you hear that seductive “new text” tone — and possibly save your life in the process.


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SMSReplier (www.smsreplier.com) is a mobile application developed by Iconosys Inc. (www.iconosys.com) Everyday it helps to save lives, don't you think it is time you start saving some?


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