Textecution aiming to prevent texting while driving

December 23, 2008 | by Robert Nelson

A newly released app for the G1 is trying to prevent users from texting while driving, simply put Textecution “completely disables texting while the car is in motion.” The app uses the built-in GPS and deactivates the SMS capability when the phone is moving faster than 10MPH, and then once the speed goes back under 10MPH the SMS will be unlocked and available within a few seconds. It was also noted that the parent (or administrator) can grant exceptions if needed. Such an example would be if the user happened to be on another moving vehicle such as a bus or train. Of course, this would also limit their use even when they are not driving, even a passenger in a car would be traveling faster than 10MPH.

It is hard to deny that texting while driving is dangerous, I would even say it could be worse on a touchscreen device where you cannot feel your way around the keys. I also applaud eLYK Innovation for coming up with such a unique app, however there seems to be a pretty simple flaw — there is nothing stopping a crafty teen, or employee from simply deleting the app from their handset.

The developers have acknowledged the ease of which the user could simply delete the app, and are considering making that harder to do in future versions. Bottom line, these seems like a nice idea, and many help some people, but overall there seems to be plenty of times where someone could be moving faster than 10MPH and not need their texting ability disabled.

Textecution is available for download from www.textecution.com and retails for $9.95.

[Textecution via TechCrunch]

Android, driving, g1, textecution, texting, texting and driving, texting while driving

2 Comments

David Sparks said: On December 23, 2008

Texting and driving is more dangerous than drunk driving.
i dl’ed an app called dgAway. it allows you to turn on a SMS and Phone away message that is sent to the caller/texter for you. i edited my text away message to say that im driving and will reply when im not more or less.

my problem with this is obviously you can delete the app.
also um.. the G1 battery is HORRENDOUS.. and right now no G1 user keeps that battery draining gps on at all times. so then it wouldnt be able to work.

there are obvious dangers. maybe somebodys been kidnapped and could squeeze a text out real fast. this is a problem here.
maybe im a passenger and not driving.
if it closes down the sms app all together, maybe i have an address in a text that i need so i can use my gps to get to a friends house etc.

something is going to have to be done about texting and driving.

im not sure this is the best approach but glad people are working on something.

(also wouldnt pay for this haha)

Brandon said: On November 10, 2010

yea i know thats right

Android Apps and News

Thoughts on the Samsung Galaxy S 4 and Unpacked 2013

Diztronic case review for LG Nexus 4

Why I decided to purchase the Nexus 4

Samsung Galaxy Note 2 - Verizon Remix Version

HTC DROID DNA Review

Samsung Galaxy Note II Review

Android News