Last year I was fortunate to review the latest in personal safety React Mobile. This free app for your iPhone or Android allowed you to feel safe when walking alone at night or in a parking garage or just when you felt a little nervous being alone. The beauty of this app was that it used GPS technology to send out a virtual distress signal if you needed help.
Today, August 13th, 2014 marks the launch of the new React Sidekick, a low-energy, wearable Bluetooth safety device that pairs with a powerful safety app putting security within reach when it counts. With a simple click of a button the React Sidekick issues a widespread emergency alert, without having to reach for or unlock a phone.
“Since we launched our app (React Mobile) over a year ago, we’ve been continually evolving our software and it’s become clear that an app alone is not enough. That’s why we’ve created the React Sidekick,” said React Mobile CEO and Co-Founder, Robb Monkman. “The Sidekick provides peace of mind at your fingertips without the need to find your phone, unlock it, and dial. Simply press a button to send out a widespread emergency alert to friends and family.”
The React Sidekick’s modular, gender-neutral design is geared toward those with an active lifestyle, especially when alone or in new environments, meeting new clients, or in a new dating situation. The React Sidekick easily pairs with the React Mobile app and can be worn on a clip, keychain and carabiner. It is also a great tool to give to children and teens so they can easily call for help in an emergency when their phone is out of reach.
React Sidekick has a new Kickstarter Crowdfunding Campaign going with a goal of $25,000. Funds raised will go exclusively towards covering tooling costs for the project. Kickstarter backers can choose between the black tricolored LED React Sidekick for $29 (early bird special) or a special only for Kickstarter color sold exclusively as part of a VIP package for $99.
- Small modular design that easily clips onto clothing (great for runners)
- Panic button pairs with the React Mobile app when in range of the user’s phone
- Frequency Range: ISM Band 2.4 GHz
- Bluetooth Version: BT 4.0 Low Energy
- Active Range: 0–30ft / 10 to 30m1+ Year Battery Life
The React Sidekick works with the following devices:
- iPhone: 4, 4S, 5, 5C, 5S, iOS 6 or higher
- Android: S4, S5, Note 2, Note 3 or higher
Check out the information on the React Sidekick and see for yourself the benefits of this great device. Calling for help when you truly need it has never been so easy.
What do you think of the React Sidekick? Would you use this device? Where and when do you think it would be the most beneficial to you?
FT&PD
Suz
Honestly, I know little about today’s high tech gadgets. I even own not a cell phone. But this product you are talking about is a MUST for those people who spent much of their day outdoor.
Not just for outdoors Papaleng. It is good for anyone!
This is a really great idea for an app – security should be on everyone’s minds with crime these days. My mum will probably recommend it to me soon !
I think every mom and dad will want this for their kids..
Great Product especially for females who stay out late … would be great if we had something like this in Jamaica 🙁
I am sure it will be there soon..
I have never heard of this kind of gadget before. At the moment I´ve no idea if I would ever use it, but who knows.
You never know..
This is great for the active lifestyle people because of its uses and features. Hope that I could find in the market. Fernando Lachica
Good luck!
It seems great product. Never heard about this before. This is for those people who usually spent time of out home. Great info.
🙂
This is really a great product and it’s really new to me. Never come across this product before but it’s really interesting and indeed very good information for me.
Great!
Wow! I like this product! I will use it… Thanks for the information
You are most welcome!
I hope it successfully get the full funding in kickstarter so that this product will be in the market
I am sure it will be..
This looks really helpful especially if you would want to monitor kids. This is a really nice security app.
Yup, it is fantastic!
It sounds like a much needed gadget for all of us but especially for young people and the elderly. I think having something that tracks your whereabouts and sends out urgent signals is a smart tool.
Exactly!
I see that you’ve reviewed them… But what’s your personal opinion about them? Will you “accidentally ask for help?” Like accidentally calling people etc. And what about overseas? Any extra charges etc?
just wondering how useful is it in our daily life….
Tiffany, I’m the co-founder of React Mobile and wanted to give you a little more information. If you accidentally hit the button to send the SOS you have 10 seconds to cancel a call to local authorities, but it will automatically send out your location and SOS to your emergency contacts. Your emergency contacts are self-selected so you can notify them that you are not in danger.
React Mobile works off of your wi-fi or data connection and doesn’t matter who your carrier is so it will work internationally as long as you have an internet or cell connection. We also support international emergency dialing (ex. 112, 999, etc.)
I hope that you download the free app and use it! You can also get the wearable Sidekick device (also works overseas) here – https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/robbmonkman/the-react-sidekick-changing-the-way-people-call-fo.
Thanks for sharing this Robb!
I have not actually reviewed this Tiffany as it was not released yet. They are trying to raise the funds to do so..
Suz – thank you for posting about our React Sidekick! We love all the enthusiasm and positive response about the app and safety device and how they can help people call for help.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/robbmonkman/the-react-sidekick-changing-the-way-people-call-fo
My pleasure Robb!
This is an interesting product and seems a lot more practical than others
You are right on the money Nicol!
An interesting concept that should provide the sense of security you need
Great idea for an app should be on every device
I finally broke down and bought an iphone it was time to move on from the old flip and i just had to come back and reread this post.Thanks!
calling 911 just got easier
It would be great for urban or rural living.
Very useful app
This is an app you hope you never have to use but….You never know..
This sounds similar to what older people that live alone wear. If they fall and can’t get up they can press their button which is usually worn around their neck or wrist.
I think this would be great for old people too. A couple of years ago a lady with a dog came to the door. She was visiting her daughter and got lost walking the dog, didn’t know the address of her daughter either. Now this was summer time but imagine what it would be like for the poor old dear in winter time.
I would use this because there are just those times when your spidey senses detect that there is something just not right. Sometimes if I am grocery shopping alone after nightfall. I feel super vulnerable and always worry about keeping something like bear spray in my purse because I am more likely to dose myself than an attacker, This product would make things much simpler.
This is an awesome idea and so useful especially for the elderly or anyone that is already in poor physical help.This really would give many people a more secure feeling knowing there is help if they need it.Thanks so much for the introduction to the React Sidekick & the app.
I just came across this posting and though wow, I’ve never heard of this app or device before. This would be so valuable for a lot of people. Great for if you’re out hiking or any activity if you are alone or even with a friend. It can be a crazy world out there.