Beyond the addictions that they can create, mobile tech devices can also help save lives – often in an intuitive way, and for free. The following five applications are good examples:
1. FirstCall Emergencies
This is a tool for Android devices, with the mission of protecting people in unsafe or dangerous situations, such as medical emergencies, robberies, or domestic incidents.
With just one tap, the application sends out an alert to nearby emergency and health personnel. It also gives direct access to emergency numbers in whatever country the user is currently in, so it’s quite useful for travelers who may not know the local version of 911.
2. Pedius
This is a communication system for iOS and Android devices that allows people who are deaf or hard of hearing to make phone calls.
It uses voice recognition and synthesis technologies.
Thanks to this system, the user instantly receives the answers to their questions or statements in the form of a text message.
3. RAY VISION
This Android application aims to help blind people use cell phones, even if they cannot see the screen, by using sound and touch.
With this software, users learn what direction to swipe the screen to activate different mobile features, such as calls, messages, or the calendar.
4.
This isn’t exactly an app, but a service created by the Swedish mobile phone company 3 Sweden that allows its users to donate their unused mobile data at the end of each month; the money equivalent to the cost of that amount of data is donated to the UN agency for refugees, UNHCR.
5. ShareTheMeal
With a simple interface, this app (iOS and Android) allows users to make donations through the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) to feed children and families who suffer hunger. The smallest donation that you can give in the app is $.50, which is WFP’s average worldwide cost of feeding a child. Users can select from various campaigns—focusing on a specific country, for example—and make a one-time or monthly donation. It also interfaces with social media to allow users to promote charitable donations
The virtue of this app is that it makes it very easy to give donations, whether tiny or large, so that everyone can chip in. If we have a cell phone, it’s hard to have an excuse not to give at least one meal!
Before making the donation, the user can learn more about the projects and the people who will receive their help.
And today we celebrate...