Anti-KidnApp – For Emergencies

on 3/13/12 10:03 PM

Tested version: 1.0.7
Latest version: 1.1.3
Requires Android: from 2.1

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Summary

Sometimes I can’t help but shake my head in puzzlement at the strange apps that are floating around out there.

I must admit that the application name Anti-KidnApp gave me pause for thought. That said, I soon discovered that its functions were anything but strange or weird—in fact, I discovered that this was the type of app that may serve to be quite useful in certain situations. What it does is transmit current positions to an internet service, allowing select friends to keep track of the user. It also provides an option for sending an emergency text message notifying the recipient(s) of the user’s current location.

Read on if you’re curious to find out more!

Features & Use

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Test device
-Samsung Galaxy Nexus 4.0.2

First things first, users are asked to accept the licensing agreement in order to use the app. The app builds on Google App Engine and thus it also requires a permission (in order to transmit a user’s current location). The app cannot run unless you grant this permission.
The next step is to enter your emergency numbers and an emergency text. Once this is done the app is ready to use.

The app sends a notification indicating that the service is now active and displays your current location on a Google map. It is possible to send an emergency text message of the map and the location by hitting the red cross in the lower right corner. A help button is located in the upper right corner via which you can read up on the different functions.

That’s about all there is to say about the app in and of itself. All other settings must be made via the website www.GPSTracks-Live.com. This is where you’ll also be able to use the Live-Tracking function.

Thanks to Google App Engine you can sign into the website using your normal Gmail account, though you can make changes to your username and password should you so wish (otherwise your Google Mail data will simply be used here).
Bear in mind that in order for others to identify you as you they must be able to connect your user name with you or know that it’s you, that way they can then add you to their friends list.

Fixing my location worked out very well save for a one-off glitch at the very beginning. All my locations were correctly identified and displayed on the map. Using the Live-Tracking feature the app can even establish a user’s route. Live-Tracking intervals can be set anywhere between 10 seconds and 15 minutes.

Emergency SMS were sent off without any problems throughout our test runs. Along with your text a Google Maps link is also sent within the text message.

Bottom line:
There’s no disputing that Anti-KidnApp does exactly what is promises to do. Current locations are displayed on the web UI on a map and emergency text messages are sent off and received, including an integrated Google Maps link.

That said, there’s still room for improvement within the app itself. For instance, it could be useful to be able to track other users within the app, as well as have an option for sending emergency emails.

NB: What users will use this app for is everybody’s own business, but it is important to note that the app is not spyware and that persons should only be monitored if they have given their consent.

Screen & Controls

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Using Anti-KidnApp as easy as it is intuitive and the UI suits the app’s purpose, both internally and on the website. That being said, the graphics certainly aren’t anything to write home about.

Speed & Stability

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Anti-KidnApp is solid and speedy, its overall performance very good. As soon as the app has registered a GPS fix the position is displayed on the website.