ZoomSafer is software and services for mobile phones that eliminates the dangerous temptation to text and email while driving and simultaneously ensures that motorists use hands-free services in the event that they need to make or receive phone calls.
Individuals, parents and teens use ZoomSafer to save lives and money. Not only does ZoomSafer reduce the risk of crashes and injuries, but, it also reduces the risk of getting a ticket, helps to lower auto insurance costs and enables you to stay connected with modern lifestyles in a safe, legal and hands-free manner.
Corporations use ZoomSafer to proactively enforce safe driving policies so they can save money, protect employees and minimize risks and liability.
It depends on your perspective. On one hand, ZoomSafer is policy management software that is designed to help families and corporations enforce safe driving policies. In this sense, ZoomSafer is a little bit like Big Brother — always there to keep loved ones and employees safe and encourage them to make good choices when driving. On the other hand, ZoomSafer is extremely flexible and can support a wide range of policy settings, including the ability to stay connected with friends, family and co-workers via hands-free services. In this sense, ZoomSafer is definitely NOT Big Brother because it’s flexible and it doesn’t put a crimp in mobile productivity or modern lifestyles.
ZoomSafer is available commercially in North America on most BlackBerry devices. It is also available as a Free Beta test for select Windows Mobile devices. See www.zoomsafer.com/phone-types.aspx for a complete list of available phones.
Support for Android is under development with release planned end of 2010. An iPhone version of ZoomSafer is under investigation but we do not currently have a planned delivery date.
Yes. ZoomSafer integrates seamlessly with a wide variety of Bluetooth devices. In fact, ZoomSafer’s innovative design ensures that drivers make and receive phone calls in a hands-free manner. NOTE: If you have a Bluetooth car kit that announces inbound phone calls, we recommend that you disable ZoomSafer’s inbound call announcement feature. To adjust this, and other settings, please visit www.myzoomsafer.com
ZoomSafer is flexible and configurable safe driving software and offers a wide range of custom settings so you can personalize your safe driving experience. These settings are managed through your web account.
In the current version of ZoomSafer, each subscription requires a separate account. Future versions will allow multiple subscriptions under a single account.
You can register for ZoomSafer directly through www.zoomsafer.com (click “Register” on any page). You can download ZoomSafer for BlackBerry devices from BlackBerry App World and Handmark. The Windows mobile version will also be available in leading mobile application stores in the near future.
Once registered, we will send you an email to your phone with a single use download link. Simply click on the download link and follow the prompts. At the end of the process, ZoomSafer will ask whether you received the software directly from ZoomSafer.com or from a 3rd party application store. Choose ZoomSafer.com. You will then be asked to enter your password to complete the installation process.
With 3rd party application stores, you receive and pay for the software before you create an account. After you download the software to your phone, you will choose “Installing from another site”. You will then be prompted to create your account by entering your personal information directly on the device.
Yes! Go to http:/www.youtube.com/user/ZoomSafer to see our entire collection of informational and How-To videos.
Lots of times our download email goes into your spam folder – check there first. If it’s not there, double check that the email address you entered in the registration process matches the email address on your smartphone (this is a requirement in order for ZoomSafer to function properly). On Windows Mobile devices, if you are not using Exchange Active Sync, you may need to perform a “Send/Receive” action in order for the email to properly reach your device quickly. If those do not work, send us an email at support@zoomsafer.com and we’ll be happy to take a closer look.
Open the email and press the “5″ key. The link should now be visible. Alternatively, you can copy the text with the link from the email, open the browser, click the BlackBerry button and choose “Go to”. This will allow you to paste in the URL.
On BlackBerry devices, we require permissions to do things like activate the GPS and send text messages and emails on your behalf. You will prompted to view/accept the permissions changes and must approve them for ZoomSafer to work correctly.
In most cases, the entire download process takes 1-2 minutes. We’ve seen the process take longer when subscribers are in areas with limited coverage or low bandwidth.
Absolutely – as a subscriber in good standing, you can re-download the application as many times as you need. Simply send us a note at support@zoomsafer.com and we’ll send you an email to the address on your account with a new download link. No matter where you originally purchased your software, choose “Installing from ZoomSafer.com” when prompted and enter your password to complete the re-installation process.
We offer ZoomSafer through our own website and leading 3rd party mobile application stores. Customers purchasing the application through these stores will make that choice to complete their installation process.
Once ZoomSafer is installed, the ZoomSafer icon will appear wherever applications normally appear on your phone after download. For some BlackBerrys, this is the bottom of the main screen. For others, the icon will appear in the “Downloads” folder off of the home screen. Many of our users move the ZoomSafer into their Home screen after download. If you do this, the ZoomSafer icon will appear in the same place after any subsequent downloads. For Windows Mobile devices, the software is located in the Program folder and it may also be available on your start and quick menus. For Windows Mobile devices that support the ability to customize the Today screen with specific application, ZoomSafer may also be placed there as well.
No problem – simply delete the application from your device, then send us a note at support@zoomsafer.com asking us to send you a new download link.
If your device has an internal GPS capability ZoomSafer can detect when you’re driving and will automatically activate and put your phone into safe driving mode. If you do not have GPS on your phone, you can manually activate safe drive mode when you start to drive – just like “clicking your seat belt”. Also, there are several Verizon Wireless phones with GPSs where ZoomSafer does not support auto activation. See our Supported Smartphones page for details.
Yes – you can activate ZoomSafer manually any time simply by clicking the ZoomSafer icon on your phone and then clicking on “Start ZoomSafer”. If your device doesn’t support automatic activation, then you should activate ZoomSafer before you begin driving.
ZoomSafer uses your on-device GPS to sense when you move over 15 mph. Speed sensing works in all situations where your GPS is active, can see GPS satellites, and is communicating correctly with ZoomSafer.
It depends on your smartphone. We’ve tested ZoomSafer on nearly every type of supported BlackBerry and Windows Mobile devices. Generally with ZoomSafer usage, you should charge your smartphone each night. For some phones, you may need to charge your phone once during the day as well.
Yes! You can change your speed detection from “Automatic” to “Manual” through the Basic Options capability on your device or at www.myzoomsafer.com under the Preferences page. Doing this will enable you to save significant battery life – but, just like “clicking your seatbelt”, you will have to remember to “click ZoomSafer” when you start to drive to manually activate the service.
15 mph. We’ve tested this for months with thousands of activations and found it very effective in distinguishing the state of driving.
Generally anywhere you want provided that your phone can effectively use it’s GPS service. Different smartphones behave differently and we’ve seen many smartphones that will activate while inside of coats, briefcases, and even inside the trunk of a car!
The GPSs inside of smartphones aren’t perfect or exactly real time. Sometimes it takes a little bit of additional time for the GPS to activate or send data to ZoomSafer.
Yes – there are two ways to do this. First, you can configure ZoomSafer to automatically send an SMS message to Priority Contacts that you’ve identified on the Contacts page at www.myzoomsafer.com. Secondly, you can automatically update your Facebook status or send a Tweet through your followers on Twitter. To activate either of these features, go to the “Start Driving” tab on MyZoomSafer/Preferences.
Holsters keep ZoomSafer from making all required profile changes on activation. Simply remove your BlackBerry from your holster before you start driving to allow ZoomSafer to activate completely.
ZoomSafer social media updates work just like any other update service. You give permission to Facebook and/or Twitter to accept status updates from ZoomSafer. Then ZoomSafer will update your status every time you start and stop driving.
Safety Announcements are audible messages that play when you start to drive. These messages are 100% optional – but we recommend using them because, much like the seat belt reminder in your car, these reminder help to reinforce safe driving practices. You can use standard announcements, or, if you prefer, you can record up to five Safety Announcements at www.myzoomsafer.com. You can even request a loved one or a friend to record a message for you by entering their email address at the bottom of the Safety Announcements page.
Absolutely. You can turn it off through either the on-device Options Management screen or through www.myzoomsafer.com.
Yes – just press the volume down key while ZoomSafer is activated. You won’t see the volume control going down — but the next time ZoomSafer activates the announcements will play at the lower level.
Because we give you the ability to manage “basic” features like speed detection, phone call management, and Auto-Replys directly from your device. If you want to access the detailed configuration settings you must login to your web account located at www.myzoomsafer.com.
Yes! You can maximize policy enforcement by disallowing access to on-device “options” simply by changing the setting on the device itself – or by visiting the account settings located at www.myzoomsafer.com. This will prevent children or employees from making unauthorized changes to their safe driving settings.
Of course! You have three options for managing inbound phone calls. You choose to (1) receive all inbound phone calls, (2) receive only phone calls from designated Priority Contacts, or (3) receive no phone calls. Unanswered phone calls will be sent directly to voice mail.
Your inbound text and email messages are delivered quietly to your phone while you are driving. The messages sit behind the locked ZoomSafer screen and they await your undivided attention as soon as you have stopped driving.
You can always call 911. If you do, the software will automatically exit all aspects of ZoomSafer for a period of 60 minutes. This is required in case your call is dropped and the emergency response center needs to call you back.
It depends on your inbound call settings. If you choose to receive calls from only Priority Contacts, then the non-priority call will be suppressed and sent directly to voice mail. If you elect to receive all inbound phone calls, then the call will be announced to you and you choose whether you want to answer it in hands-free mode.
Not yet. But it’s a popular feature request and we’re working on it.
Yes, but it depends on your policy settings – and you can only make and receive phone calls in hands-free mode. On BlackBerry smartphones, you simply click the left-hand convenience key (located on the side of the phone) to activate the voice dialer. On Windows Mobile phones, access to the voice dialer will be available on your screen while in safe driving mode.
You will need to purchase the software from an approved vendor. Just go to this link on the Microsoft site for more information.
For unanswered phone calls and text messages, we send a reply text message to the inbound phone number. For inbound emails, we reply with an email from your mailbox.
There are two ways to exit ZoomSafer. You can exit as a “driver”. Or, you can exit as a “passenger”. When you exit as a driver, ZoomSafer immediately begins checking for speed. When you exit as a passenger, you are essentially setting a “snooze” time during which ZoomSafer does not detect speed.
Simply click exit. Click “passenger” exit. Then select a specific period of time. Once that time has elapsed, ZoomSafer will begin checking for speed again and, if you’re still riding in a car, ZoomSafer will reactivate.
Yes – you are in control of when you exit ZoomSafer. We do NOT automatically turn ZoomSafer off. This is by design because driving is naturally a “start and stop” activity – and our goal is to maximize focus and eliminate the dangerous temptation to text or email while driving.
Yes – you can maximize policy enforcement by disallowing access to the “passenger exit” option by visiting the account settings located at www.myzoomsafer.com. This will eliminate unauthorized “exiting” a passenger.
Go to www.myzoomsafer.com, enter your phone number and click “Forgot Password”. A new password will be sent to the email address on your account.
Your account and settings are password protected at www.myzoomsafer.com. Only you will have access to the settings associated with that account. You can also remove access to “on device” management directly from the phone itself, or by visiting www.myzoomsafer.com.
Yes – you can maximize policy enforcement by going to www.myzoomsafer.com and selecting “Start/Stop Notifications”. From here you can elect to receive notifications each time the user starts and stops (exits) the safe driving application. For corporate customers we have the ability to produce custom reports to help identify “at risk” drivers. This will enable you to target “at risk” employees for remedial training, or, terminate repeat offenders for violation of company policy.
It takes about 1 minute. On Windows Mobile devices, if you are not using Exchange Active Sync, you may need to perform a “Send/Receive” action on your device in order for the email with the policy update to properly reach your device quickly.
This email serves as a trigger mechanism. It tells the software on your phone to accept and apply the new policy settings. Once the new policy settings are applied, ZoomSafer immediately deletes the email on your device.
On BlackBerry devices, you need to make sure that your Email Reconciliation has “Delete On” set to “Mailbox & Handheld.”
Enter your Priority Contacts on www.myzoomsafer.com under the Contacts page.
You may have up to 20 Priority Contacts.www.myzoomsafer.com
Simply send us an email at support@zoomsafer.com including your name, email address and phone number. Please remember that there are no refunds for one time fees or past monthly subscription fees.
A: VoiceMate is a voice-powered portal that allows you to listen to, reply to, and create text and email messages with your voice – without taking your hands off the wheel or your eyes off the road. With VoiceMate, you receive a different audible alert for text messages and emails while ZoomSafer is active. When you want to listen to them, simply press one button to be connected to the voice portal to listen to your messages. You can also filter incoming messages so that you are only notified with messages that are important to you. When you create or reply to a message, VoiceMate transcribes your voice into text (aka speech to text) and then sends the message.
A: In today’s hyper-connected world, staying in touch with friends, family, co-workers and customers is a 7×24 experience. ZoomSafer + VoiceMate provides a set of hands-free services that enable you to stay connected but still comply with the current laws while driving.
A: VoiceMate is $3.99 per month or $40 per year. These charges are separate from the fees you pay/paid for the ZoomSafer application.
ZoomSafer is available commercially in North America on all Blackberry and Windows Mobile devices supported by ZoomSafer. See www.zoomsafer.com/phone-types.aspx for a complete list of supported phones.
Yes. ZoomSafer integrates seamlessly with a wide variety of Bluetooth devices. In fact, ZoomSafer’s innovative design ensures that drivers make and receive phone calls in a hands-free manner and also listen, reply and create text messages and emails in a hands-free manner.
A: When purchasing ZoomSafer, simply select “ZoomSafer + VoiceMate” for your product instead of “ZoomSafer”.
A: No. VoiceMate will only work as an add-on to ZoomSafer.
A: Just log in to your MyZoomSafer account, go to the VoiceMate tab and click on the link there to upgrade.
A: It depends on which version of ZoomSafer you currently have. If you have version 1.0.2 or earlier, then you need the latest version of ZoomSafer installed on your phone. We will send you a download link after you upgrade. If you have ZoomSafer v 1.0.3 or later, then you do not need a new version of software – after you upgrade to ZoomSafer + VoiceMate, you will simply begin seeing the VoiceMate icon appear in the bottom left of your screen when ZoomSafer is active.
A: Yes. Just send a message to support@zoomsafer.com.
A: We bill separately for ZoomSafer and VoiceMate so the charges are shown as such.
A: On some BlackBerry devices, including those with version 5.x software, there is an additional message that will appear for approving the permissions for the ZoomSafer application. Simply accept and choose to “Not be prompted in the future” so that the appropriate permissions are set and the pop-up doesn’t occur again.
A: Yes. Similar to Basic Options, the VoiceMate option button will appear when you click on the ZoomSafer icon. Just select the “VoiceMate Options” button and update your settings.
A: Yes. For email messages, you can select “All”, “Priority Contacts” or None. For text messages you have the same options, but under “All” you can additionally filter out Facebook, Twitter and other messages sent from short codes.
A: Since text messages can come from numbers not associated with a specific user, we provide you the option to not be notified of text messages from Twitter or Facebook as well as any other short code message which may arrive.
A: Based on your settings, the phone will audibly notify you when an email arrives and when a text message arrives. There are two different alerts you will hear– one for an email and one for a text message.
A: From the main menu, you can say
Text “Priority Contact name”*
Email “Priority Contact name”*
Listen to Text
Listen to Email
Help me
Goodbye (to end call)
*You have the option of saying just “text” or “email” and you will be prompted for a Priority Contact name by the service. You can also say “Me” to send text or email to yourself.
A: When listening to text or email messages, you can say
Reply
Next
Go Back (cancel current command)
Previous
Repeat
Start Again (go to the Main Menu)
Goodbye (to end call)
A: Yes. Bluetooth headsets and car kits as well as ear buds (and hands-free speaker phone) all have various degrees of noise cancelling technology to help reduce the background noise. However, based on the capabilities of your hands-free accessory of choice, the level of background noise that is not filtered out will impact both the navigation (voice commands) and transcription (text to speech) of VoiceMate.
A: You can listen to text messages and emails you receive while ZoomSafer is active. Once you exit safe driving mode, either as a passenger or a driver, all the text and email messages sent to VoiceMate are erased after five minutes. Please note that all emails sent through VoiceMate are available in your email sent folder on your smartphone.
A: After you have listened to your messages (and assuming you have not exited safe drive mode), the read messages move to the end of the queue and are available after all other messages have been listened to. Also while you are listening to messages, you can use the “previous” command to move back up the queue of previously listened to messages.
A: You can reply to any text message or email you receive. However, you can only create new messages to Priority Contacts that have been entered via www.myzoomsafer.com.
A: On BlackBerry devices only, the API to access this functionality is not available so text messages sent through your device from VoiceMate will not be in the sent folder.
A: In text messages there is a phone number present in sent text messages which allow users who receive your text message to listen to your actual recording — and they don’t need to be a ZoomSafer user to do this. Similarly, emails have a link which provides access to the voice recording through a web browser which should be available through most mobile and PC browsers.
A: No. When you respond to a text or email message, it is addressed to the original sending party who then receives your text or email just as though you had typed it directly into your phone. They also have access to the voice recordings as well and don’t need to be a ZoomSafer subscriber to do so.
A: In the current release, you can listen to any text message you receive based on your filtering choices (all, all minus messages from short codes, or Priority Contacts only). However, you cannot respond to any messages coming from a short code in the current version.
A: There are two reasons which may delay the sending of your text or email message through VoiceMate. First, it takes time to accurately translate the message (up to several minutes). Second, if your phone is with a carrier that does not support simultaneous voice and data communications, ZoomSafer cannot send the transcribed text and email messages until after you hang up the call to VoiceMate.