According to Scott Frohman, the firm's CEO, the iPhone app has been full stress tested and works across all iPhone platforms, making responsible texting a reality for millions more smartphone users.
DriveSafe was originally developed to stop smartphone users from being tempted to text whilst they are driving and has been well-received by users, since it still allows call to pre-defined emergency numbers, as well as communicating to an administrator handsets for override requests.
Other DriveSafe features include an auto-reply button, a pre-set response that is automatically delivered to the texter or caller and reads "I am driving and will contact you when I reach my destination", a `request permission' button that allows users to request permission from the administrator to have access to the phone whilst moving, and an `admin override' button, allowing the administrator to type in a set password to override the system settings.
For example, says the company, if a child is riding the bus, DriveSafe will know s/he is in a moving vehicle and will disable the phone. The child will then hit `request permission', which sends a text message to the administrator or parent. The parent can then text "yes" back to the disabled phone, unlocking the phone for 15 minutes. After this time limit, the keyboard will be disabled again.
PhoneGuard says it developed the app as a simpler free version of a larger Pro application suite that includes a number of other safety and convenience-oriented applications, such as a panic button and the ability to define geographic boundaries where the app's security features will function.