I was not familiar with Amber Ready.
I've now spent some time getting familiar.
One of the first things that caught my attention is
they are not carrying Amber Alerts.
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Store Your Child's Profile Safely on Your Phone - Most phones are capabile of carrying data .. & safely... with nothing additional.
.. letting them instantly transmit pictures and other details to cops in an emergency.. - MMS/SMS/E-mail? - Don't really need (proprietary) software to accomplish this.
Have an Alert Take Action in Minutes Instead of Hours - This is almost surprising. This can't be guaranteed & is not up to them - Only explanation would seem to be ease of pushing information. ->
'Have'
Child's Profile Stored On Phone, Not a Database - Why wouldn't the profile/data be stored on both? (local/phone & w/them) ?
Receive Child's Profiles in a Convenient Email - You, some one else (family?), LE, or more(?) recieving an e-mail? - The information would reside in
a database in order for them to be sending e-mails.
Receive 1000 Free Missing Child Posters (If Missing) - ....
Create DNA and Fingerprint Identification Data - From what i've seen this is a ~q-tip mouth swab & obviously a digital (scan) or ink fingerprint.
- Nothing is linked to additional information.
The Wireless Phone Profile Program -
New software for cellphone to help parents whose children go missing
Wireless (phone & internet) alerts (IMO) have or could have existed for around a decade+. All it takes is offering the alerts in a (simple) standard format. - Strangely this is often (still) put in a proprietary (non-publicly available) format.
- (IMO)
The real issue is getting the information & how its presented (format). The amount of (alert) methods to read & distribute has already existed for (very) a long time. .. Whether or not (or how) some one (or company/emergency service) picks up & utilizes the information is (still) up to them..
Profile Backup for Replacement Phones - This kind of touches on the database question. Maybe this is referencing a burned CD? - Or some other local (data) storage method?
24-Hour Alert & Police Support - This needs additional detail
(edit: "24-Hour AMBER Ready Call Center") ?
Child Internet Safety Web Browser - I feel this is probably a brand-pushing piece of (web browsing) software. (that is likely cheap or freeware)
Backpack Tags and Door Stickers - I'm guessing the backpack tags point back to Amber Ready.. ? & The door stickers.. are flier-ish? - Or/Is this also/the 'deterrent?
Emergency Car Charger for Existing Wireless Phone.. They order another charger for you..?
Child Safety DVD with Emergency Instructions & Tips - A digital pamphlet.
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http://news.google.com/news/search?pz=1&ned=us&hl=en&q="amber+ready"&cf=all&scoring=n
I see a news article & press release about the 'wireless feature.
.. parents can immediately send out all that information to police, various news outlets, airports and the AMBER alert network .. - Parents initiate this? From their phone? Via (AR) Phone/Software? - or Does AR (actually) do it - Also, whether or not action is taken is still up to those who receive it.
.. AMBER Ready also acts as a deterrent for child predators. - ? The backpack tag? The door sticker?
.. Amber Ready saves precious time .. - This
might be the only claim i
may agree with. W/out seeing it (software) in (+/-prior) action.. My holdup is referring to it as a 'system' w/out any known topography..
.. Kai has targeted the program at helping African-American children .. ?
.. Kai used $12 million in funding from John Thomas Financial to develop AMBER Ready, and it is not available to consumers .. Is this an error? Referencing Phone/Software (source/code?) ? - Referencing proprietary-ness ?
.. delivery of information to police, medical and other emergency services - Seems endless....
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This software would have to be pretty revolutionary.
This seems
mostly a collection of known tools & methods. - That are not (+/-individually) unique (minus this not-seen software)
Ease of software, speed & real world-field is part of the (remaining) question.
I still hold some (technical & capability) doubt. AR seems to really ride on that piece of (phone) software. If your ducks are (already) in a row.. i have difficulty believing this software offers a significant advantage.
I've (all of) never been impressed by any phone software.
Nothing specific is given on the phone/software network/communication system.
Is anything patented?
__________________ Terms & Conditions __________________
I understand that I am enrolling in the AMBER Ready Program to receive the AMBER Ready Child Safety Tools to aid in the recovery of my child with the assistance of the Child Safety Tools and the 24-Hour AMBER Ready Call Center should my child become missing
while my membership is in good standing.
I understand that I may elect to enroll in the Free Sponsorship Rebate Program at any time during my membership to receive a $50 rebate. I understand that upon accepting the terms and conditions of the AMBER Ready Program my credit card will be charged a
non-refundable fee of $50 or $59.95 if I have elected to upgrade to the Deluxe Package.
I understand that I will receive a Member ID that will
enable me to store my children’s profiles in my wireless phone receive a backup of my children’s profiles in my computer e-mail. Should I not receive my Membership ID for any reason whatsoever, I should contact the AMBER Ready 24-Hour Call Center to receive my membership ID.
(the ID does not 'enable' you to store data on your phone) (also.. that sentence has an error)
I understand that the AMBER Ready Program is not responsible for the proper functionality of the Picture Message, MMS or Picture Mail features on my wireless account or in my wireless phone. I also understand that the AMBER Ready Program is
not responsible for placing my child on
alert should they become missing and only law enforcement agencies have that authority.
- The Fine Print.
("not responsible for placing my child on alert") - While we may know the meaning.. This doesn't actually make sense. You're not 'placing your child on alert'
Somewhat poorly written terms. Nothing is said or referenced about their own (apparent?) phone software.
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So this might be what i was kind of thinking earlier. MMS is being utilized at least in portion.
On the website the cost seems vague. I'm not seeing where it says per month or not. In one article it says:
"A two-year enrollment in the program costs $50 per household no matter how many children you have."
.