Product Reviews

WIC Alerter (formerly panic button)

Last Updated on Sunday, 25 April 2010 11:02 Written by Chad Sunday, 25 April 2010 10:44

Ever wonder what you would do if you were mugged without a chance to react? How would you text someone or call being faced with a need for urgency. A very inexpensive app for blackberry is available to assist you in alerting help in the event of an emergency that needs to be 1 click away. Wic alerter which used to be known as panic button is an app that's great to have but you never want to use. For only $2.99 the wic alerter uses the blackberrys gps and sends an alert message that the user creates during setup but can change at any time through a very simple user interface to any number of users via email, pin message, and sms text. The way it works: after a straight forward installation you click "run" the app will open in setup mode where you will be guided through 3 easy steps. 1) setup designated contacts for each form of notification (email, pin,sms)(if you're  using current contacts the contacts list will pop-up). 2) setup the message (from,subject,message) 3) enable or disable gps (default is disabled) and enable or disable whether to send contact info (again default is disabled). Click finish it's that simple. The wic alerter always runs in the background and can either be accesed via the application switcher or via one of the side convenience keys. Once opened the program counts down from 10 to allow you to access the settings or cancel the launch or send instantly. After 10 seconds elapses it will launch automatically sending messages to applicable parties. If gps is enabled then the message content will have your pre-set message and also a link to your location via google maps (if the message is going via sms then it will send as many messages as necessary to complete the message to the appropriate parties. Another cool feature of the wic alerter is the ability set-up several profiles to include different messages and recipients if desired you just need to make sure its made active and other profiles disabled as desired. There is a free version of this also that will send only 10 gps messages overall and than only the pre-set message infinitely but for 2.99 you get unlimited gps messages. Personally I've always loved the concept of this program; it's simple, quick access, and works seamlessly for all users the help screens are very simple but complete. Memory usage is minimal as well is storage needs. 1 recommendation I'd make is to send ur message recipients this message after you install them and message them letting them know this is what they will receive in an emergency so that they are aware its not some type of joke this app gets 5bb's out of 5 for completeness , simplicity, brilliance, and effectiveness. The wic alerter can be found in the blackberry app world and should be the first app you install.