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Two years ago, I developed an security app for Android as a school project. I didn't like teamwork at school (you know, you do all the work and everyone else is getting the same grade you receive, specially if you are the nerd of the class), actually I hated it, so I made it alone.

Its name was "Alex" and was a simple "panic button". You can configure two emergency emails and phone numbers (contacts only, not police) and, if you're in danger, you just have to press the button and the app is gonna send two messages/emails to your contacts: the first one, to tell where are you (GPS, only the name of the place) and that you're in problems. The second one with an audio/photo file of the situation.

Sounds like a great app, and I tested it few times. The reason I didn't continue with this is that I got my first job and I had not time, and that, tree or four months later, the government (of the city) launched a similar app. Less sophisticated, but I think it's still useful: "No estoy sola"(I'm not alone). I haven't tested it cause I don't trust on the authorities, I'd preffer to send my location to a friend through messenger app instead.

I don't know if I should re-work this app (I didn't released it, I just have the beta) or work on something else. I'm afraid that, if I release it, someone could die or get kidnapped because of a bug or something going wrong with the app :c What do you think?

Comments
  • 18
    1) There will always be competition. Don't let that stop you from releasing stuff.

    2) Display a disclaimer that they must agree to in order to use the app after installing, something like "You acknowledge that your safety is ultimately your responsibility, and that while every attempt will be made to make this app functional all the time, you might not be in a location that has data service and/or there might be an issue within the app itself that impedes normal use." (etc, you get the idea)

    3) Add in a "test" feature from within the app, that will allow users to send out test SOS messages with a "I've added you as an emergency contact with XYZ app, this is a test, please let me know if it worked" baked into the messages/recording asking the recipient to reply back to acknowledge it was received. It will allow them to periodically make sure it works.

    4) Have lots of unit/integration tests that prove proper functionality.
  • 5
    @duckWit props to you for those very solid advice
  • 3
    @duckWit Thanks a lot! :D I'll consider re-work that project after finishing some pending code ;)
  • 1
    Just do it already. You can test it with your buddies and if you have funds for testing, try crowd testing.
  • 0
    @iamavalos Sí ^_^ ¿Tu también? :D

    P.D. Suerte! :)
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