Through Family & Offender GPS Tracker app for iPhone and iPod Touch, concerned parents can keep a close eye on family members’ locations, verify their security, and make sure they know what kind of people are nearby. Although Family & Offender GPS Tracker is new to the Apple platform, the app was previously named one of the Top 10 mobile apps in the world as part of Google’s Android Developer Challenge. The app’s creator, Life360, has also received funding from Facebook’s fbFund REV Incubator.
Life360’s app quickly found my location, and continually tracked my location in the background (you can switch this function off, if needed). I was able to see the icons denoting the addresses of registered sex offenders near my current location and the locations of my family members. Tapping the offender icons brought up the exact address, offender’s description, date of birth, charge and photo, when available. These profiles are shareable via email, Facebook or Twitter.
Family & Offender GPS Tracker also features a check-in system. By hitting the green check mark at the bottom of the screen, your status will be marked as safe, and you can send a notification via text and email to the family members in your contact list. Conversely, the app offers a panic function that sends a panic alert to your family and gives you a tappable 911 button if you’re in serious danger. The check-in and panic process worked incredibly quickly. After hitting the panic button, my contact list received a text message and email stating that I needed help along with my current location, as well as an automated phone call that gave my coordinates and the time my alert was placed. I see this as an ideal solution for parents who want to give their children some freedom, but still want to know their whereabouts.
Users will perform most of the maintenance via Life360.com, such as adding contacts, medical conditions, medications, allergies, photos and emergency instructions. Life360 works with iPhone, iPod Touch, Android devices and proprietary Life360 GPS trackers. Right now the app is free through the app store, but might cost $2.99 in the future — still a small price to pay for piece of mind.
