Buzz
The App Store was launched on July 10, 2008, forever changing how we engage with technology. Apps quickly became the primary method for brands and businesses to connect with their audiences. This shift sparked a wave of quirky, innovative, and most importantly, practical apps.
A wide range of groundbreaking apps are improving lives, with some even having the potential to save them. These ten apps are just a small sample of the many available options—plus, there are even more on the horizon with advanced technology and enhanced features.
10. ICE Medical Standard
ICE stands for In Case of Emergency. This app serves as a top-tier medical ID for both iOS and Android devices. ICE Medical ID allows you to display critical emergency medical contact details directly on your phone's lock screen. If you're in an accident, first responders, EMS, EMTs, FEMA, and ER staff can instantly access your emergency contact info as soon as they unlock your phone.
They developed a user-friendly color-coded system designed to help emergency responders quickly assess the level of risk an individual faces. Even the healthiest person could benefit from having this app on their phone—after all, you never know when it might save your life. Medical professionals can access vital information about your allergies, medical conditions, and regular medications within seconds of unlocking your phone. Plus, you have the option to choose what personal details are visible on your lock screen to maintain your privacy.
9. What3Words
In emergency situations, being able to describe your exact location is crucial. For instance, if you were out hiking in the wilderness and needed urgent medical help, a street address wouldn't be much use. It's essential to communicate your location with a level of accuracy that goes beyond a standard address.
This is where What3words comes into play. The app assigns a unique three-word address to every 3-meter square (9.8 square feet) across the globe—there are 57 trillion of these squares. Each square is assigned a set of three words, and they never change, making it possible to direct someone to a precise location using just three words.
What3words was initially created to help pinpoint remote or unusual locations, but now its coverage spans the entire globe, offering three-meter square addresses for every spot. The possibilities for this app are virtually endless. They've even developed extensions for Google Chrome and Mozilla, so you can directly search for a What3words address in Google Maps.
8. Zello PTT Walkie Talkie
Zello is an application that transforms your mobile phone into a walkie-talkie or two-way radio, as long as you have a network or Wi-Fi connection. Even with older 2G networks, the app can still send messages. This service provides a way for individuals worldwide to communicate, even when cellular service is poor or unreliable.
It's a user-friendly technology that allows emergency responders to communicate and receive alerts without relying on costly traditional radio equipment. The app ensures clear, uninterrupted communication between multiple teams of first responders.
In times of crisis, channel owners can also send loud, recurring Channel Alerts. These alerts emit loud beeps every minute along with a text message, reaching subscribers even if they aren’t currently connected to the channel. As a result, tens of thousands of first responders use Zello daily in their operations, and the app processes eight billion live messages each month. This highlights the significant positive impact Zello is making on people's lives worldwide.
Zello is advancing further by collaborating with AGIS (Advanced Ground Information Systems) to develop LifeRing, an app designed to enhance the effectiveness of first responders and military personnel. Zello remains at the forefront of push-to-talk communication, and it's exciting to consider the growing beneficial effects it will continue to have on the world.
7. Cairn
Cairn is the perfect app for ensuring your safety during long wilderness walks. Released in 2015, it has become a trusted tool for countless explorers who appreciate that extra layer of security during their hikes.
With the motto “Get home safely from any adventure,” the app's core mission is clear. Cairn offers helpful features like trail alerts and real-time location tracking. Trail alerts notify your selected contacts (friends or family) if you’re overdue for your return, while real-time tracking allows them to monitor your exact location during your hike. This feature can be a life-saver if you're navigating a risky trail on your own.
The app also includes a useful feature to check where cell coverage is available, so you'll know the best spots to make a call if necessary. This information is crowdsourced, meaning that every new user contributes to expanding the coverage map for future hikers.
6. Stay Alive
Self-described as a “pocket suicide prevention resource… packed full of useful information and tools to help you stay safe in crisis,” Stay Alive is a free app designed to assist those in need. It offers support and guidance for anyone feeling like they have no one to turn to in their darkest moments.
The app provides a variety of functions aimed at boosting motivation and reducing feelings of being overwhelmed. Key features include a safety plan, a “Lifebox” where you can store meaningful photos, and easy access to national crisis resources.
Developed by Grassroots Suicide Prevention, a UK-based charity dedicated to preventing suicide within communities, Stay Alive helps spread suicide prevention skills among both community members and professionals. While tackling such a sensitive subject, this charity’s ongoing work to provide free, up-to-date services is vital.
5. First Aid by British Red Cross
Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons
The British Red Cross, part of the global humanitarian network The International Red Cross, has developed a range of apps aimed at teaching essential first-aid techniques. Being able to administer first aid right away can significantly reduce recovery time and might even prevent a temporary injury from becoming a permanent disability. Promoting the learning of these life-saving skills is an invaluable cause.
Their flagship app covers 19 important first-aid skills, enabling users to assist themselves or others during everyday situations. The app is making this vital information accessible to many, with over 500,000 downloads on Google Play alone.
The app provides practical guidance on handling situations like road traffic accidents and exposure to severe cold. It uses engaging methods such as videos, interactive quizzes, and detailed step-by-step guides to teach these skills.
4. Share the Meal
It has been reported that one in nine people around the world suffer from hunger or undernutrition. According to the charity Action Against Hunger, approximately 2.3 million children lose their lives each year due to malnutrition. Share the Meal is an app that tackles this grave issue, created in collaboration with the United Nations World Food Program and based on a crowdfunding model.
The launch of an intuitive, engaging app that not only educates but also allows people to donate was met with great enthusiasm by numerous organizations. In 2020, the app was honored as one of the 'Best Apps' by both Google and Apple. Its goal is to 'make fighting hunger accessible to everyone,' which it achieves effortlessly. While many people may be willing to donate to charitable causes, they may have been discouraged by the complexity of smaller donations in the past. Now, Share the Meal enables users to donate as little as 80 cents in just a few seconds. The app provides suggested donation amounts, showing how many meals each donation can provide, with the largest suggestion being $293, enough to provide 365 meals for a family or individual.
3. Snug Safety
Snug Safety is an app designed as a daily check-in service, primarily for people who live alone, with a focus on seniors and vulnerable individuals. It offers families a way to ensure their loved ones are safe and healthy. Whether you're away on holiday from your parents or grandparents or need a long-term solution to guarantee their safety while living independently, this app is an ideal choice.
According to their website, Snug Safety has already achieved over two million check-ins. It has also been featured in Forbes and AARP: The Magazine, highlighting its positive impact in the field of elderly care. The app requires users to check in daily to confirm their safety to their loved ones. Before the check-in deadline, reminders are sent out, but if the check-in is missed, a text message is sent to their emergency contacts. The paid version also offers a service to call each emergency contact in sequence. If no one confirms the check-in and the dispatcher hasn’t received confirmation from the emergency contacts, the app will request an official wellness check at the individual’s last known location.
2. My Earthquake Alerts
My Earthquake Alerts is another completely free app designed with the safety of people worldwide in mind. With over a million downloads and a 4.5-star rating on the Google Play Store, this app is simple to use and focuses on notifying users of earthquakes happening across the globe.
It is estimated that approximately 20,000 earthquakes occur worldwide each year, with 16 of them being major (ranging from 7.0 to 8.0 in magnitude). An app that keeps users informed about these events can undoubtedly help save lives. The app allows users to customize notifications for specific regions, giving them peace of mind whether they are at home or traveling. It is available for both Android and iOS devices, making it a valuable tool for anyone living in or visiting earthquake-prone areas.
1. Pulse Point
Pulse Point is a technology company focused on using machine learning and automation to revolutionize healthcare. Their mission is to create platforms that enable quicker assistance for those in need. One such platform is an app designed to notify anyone with CPR training when someone nearby is experiencing cardiac arrest. The app sends unique “CPR Needed” alerts that override the 'Do Not Disturb' function on phones. It is also connected to 911 services, ensuring that both local citizens and emergency responders are notified immediately.
The app also allows users to help save lives even before an emergency occurs. It features a function that enables anyone to locate Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) on a map, providing a brief description of the business where each AED is located, as well as a photo to give users context about its position.
App users can now opt to receive notifications about additional events that could affect them and their families, including wildland fires, flooding, and utility outages. While it currently only covers North America, the team is working on expanding this free service globally.
