Kochi, the commercial capital of Kerala, is always neck and neck with other cities when it comes to adopting new technologies. Especially in the case of women.
At a time when personal safety apps are creating a buzz in the Indian Market, Kochiites are also reaping the benefits of the technology and keeping its track record intact.
The people working in the smart phone industry point out that the apps have an outstanding potential to save anyone from dangerous and embarrassing situations, the reason why technology is a hit among women in the city.
They observe that the women tech users are mainly college students and the professionals in the Information Technology (IT) field. Jimmy Francis, who is with the industry, explains that apps have common features. Once they are installed on the mobile, anyone can send distress signals to the people in the mobile contact at the click of a button. It is helpful during emergency situations.
“The apps can be downloaded for free on your andriod or windows mobile phone. There will be option to add the important phone numbers to the app. Important contacts like the parents’ numbers, police landline, police mobile number, hospital landline and office numbers must be added to which one can send emergency or distress SOS signals with a map of the exact location,” Jimmy said.
He also stated that the app will also send panic alerts to facebook, Twitter and email.
Women in the city opined that the apps are confident boosters for them. According to Anitha S Menon, an IT professional with a private firm in the city, the app is a way of keeping herself protected. “I came to know about the safety app last month from my friends. Hearing all good things about the apps, I had installed one called ‘Nirbhaya’ on my phone. I feel that the technology will come to our aid during emergency situations and help us in defending ourselves,” said Anitha.
She also said that she is excited about the feature of the app that enables her to send emergency messages to the prime contacts by just shaking the phone. “On shaking the device, a confirmation popup will ask you to send a message to the group.
If you do not click on yes, a message will be sent automatically after 60 seconds to the group you have already added in the app through the settings. You can click cancel if you don’t want to send the message,” she said.
Reeshma, an MCA student of Cochin University of Science and Technology, who has been using the application for the last one month, said that the app, IFollow, gives the facility to make emergency calls by shaking the mobile thrice within five seconds.
She also said it gives her the confidence while venturing out on her own. “My uncle who is with the Police Department insisted that I use the app. Now, I am making the best use of technology to stay safe,” said Reeshma.