Bluetooth panic button makes emergency calls

We've seen it a dozen times in thrillers: a crime victim struggles to call 911 but the phone is knocked away by the assailant and lies there, just out of reach, as the attacker moves in. A new device from British design consultancy Fen Technology and Ireland's Securecom could give would-be victims a chance to make that emergency call without ever having to touch the phone — as long as it's a Bluetooth-enabled GSM cellphone or GPS satellite phone. The Wireless Personal Alarm is a button-sized transmitter designed to be worn as a pendant. Press it, and an emergency call goes out to a pre-defined list of contacts with your location triangulated by the network (with a satellite phone, GPS is used, but the unit has to be connected to the phone, kind of defeating the whole point). Let's just hope the developers don't make this thing look too good or it may be the first thing the thief grabs.

[Via The Wireless Weblog]

[YourTechSupport @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

This is a great idea. What I'd really like to see are bluetooth 'triggers' like this, hit a switch, lapel button, or little charm in your gold pocketwatch chain to activate apps on your phone or PDA.

[Rob @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

I don't think my grandma owns a bluetooth enabled mobile phone.

[sr20de @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

Yes! I can finally say it:

"I've fallen and I can't get up!"
"We on our way, Mrs. Fletcher!"

[Logan @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

I would assume the objective of the pendant is actually to make it look "that good." Reason being, if it looks great and the assualtee takes it from you; he would trigger the alert.

[Mydoor @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

The assualtee?

[Bill @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

or if they're young, they're assaulteens. And they go great with acuposoup.

[Ely @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

it would be fun to stand near the red carpet with one of these and make all the celebs phones call 911