DriveSafe.ly

by Antonio Wells Mar 10, 2010 7:12 AM – 16 Comments

Install

DriveSafe.ly reads your text messages (SMS), emails and caller-id out loud. Eliminate the temptation to reach for your phone by letting DriveSafely read to you and automatically respond for you. Stay connected by listening to your messages without texting while driving in your car. TXT hands-free.

See winners of 10 Drivesafe.ly Pro License Giveaway!

Price: Free

AndroidTapp.com Android App Review:

Pros & Cons:

Pros

Listen to text messages, emails and screen caller ID while the app reads them aloud to you
Auto-respond to the person who text messaged or emailed you with a pre-generated response
Update: now you can respond to text messages or email by voice completely hands free
Audible feedback quality is clear and sounds conversational and not robotic
Safer use of receiving text and email messages while driving
Available for Android, iPhone, Blackberry and Windows Mobile

Cons

The email integration has to be setup… not automatic

Features:

DriveSafe.ly Android App is an innovative way to listen to your SMS text messages, emails and even screen your caller ID hands-free as the app reads then aloud to you. It automatically responds to the person who text messaged or emailed you with a message you generate prior. Similar to how PhonePlus Callback is to phone calls, which text messages or emails a caller if you’re busy on the other line. Provides a safer atmosphere while driving as you don’t have to mess with your phone and drive. Shake to the phone to stop the audio.

DriveSafe.ly recently added voice actions to reply to incoming text messages and email using voice only. It’s an awesome feature! The audible voice-over quality is impeccable. The dialect truly sounds conversational with: expression pitches at exclamation or questions and recognizes acronyms like LOL and BRB. Does not sound robotic like Text-To-Speech Library or semi-robotic like Google Maps Navigation.

Video: DriveSafe.ly

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWO7T0ap3mM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faQZjLQot4w

: DriveSafe.ly Toggle Screen

: DriveSafe.ly SMS Text Message Auto-Responder

: DriveSafe.ly Email Auto-Responder

: DriveSafe.ly Preferences Menu

Usefulness:

Very useful while driving and helps keep eyes on the road.

Ease of Use:

If used for the text message or caller ID setup the app is straight-forward. However becomes a bit more involved for email integration. The email integration has to be setup, it’s not an automatic setup like text message and caller ID integration. For each email account you must setup POP3 or IMAP (check our quick guide how to do it).

Frequently Used:

Intended for use every time you drive.

AndroidTapp.com Rating

AndroidTapp.com Rating! (4.2 out of 5)

Should you Download DriveSafe.ly? Yes! A Must Have App While Driving!

Developer: iSpeech.org

Tags: Android Apps, AndroidTapp.com App Review, Audible Feedback, DriveSafe.ly, Phone Reads Email and Text, Voice Control

Categorised in: Tools, Travel

16 Comments

By G-Sor on March 10, 2010 at 10:04 pm:

This app is pretty neat. Tried it for the first time today. I thought it was pretty easy to use.

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By jian9007 on March 18, 2010 at 5:54 am:

App works well so far. Not mentioned in the review is that the pro version with features like speaking more than 25 words, etc. costs $13.95 US (Android). One time fee though so I’ll check out the free version for a bit then see if it’s worth paying for extra features.

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By jian9007 on March 18, 2010 at 6:32 am:

I would also like to mention that when this app is started it starts up my Twidroid app, music (probably to play back any audio within text message)among other things (like calender, camera). Just so you are aware. Why does it start Twidroid? Good question. Anyone know if it will read your tweets too? Maybe they are going to expand it to do that as well. Who knows.

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- By fluey18 on April 1, 2010 at 10:40 am:
  
  I don’t know if you have found out any information on why it opens up some programs, but when you first install and have to agree to the Terms Of Service there is a little check box below the “Agree” button that asks if you would like to follow them on facebook or Twitter. Maybe if you have that selected it opens up the required programs to get updates from them. All of this is just a guess though.
  
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By John on March 27, 2010 at 1:58 pm:

This is a great app for blackberry, since it can read emails from exchange acccounts. However on Android, it can only read emails from
Imap and Pop3 accounts. (as per their tech support emails I had with them)
So on Android, you need to have your exchange email forwarding to a pop3 account if your hell bent on using this app.
Otherwise if your ok with it just reading your pop3 and imap emails, its great.
The voice is clear and can be set to read it fast.
I paid for this app when I had a Blackberry Storm 9530, and it worked great.
But the experience with this same app on Android is not as great.
due to the lack of exchange support.

Still its a great app for safety reasons, as well as convenience.
I recommend paying for this app because it can save your life.
Because your hearing your email, with eyes up on the road.
NOT LOOKING DOWN AT YOUR PHONE.
Verizon should make this app standard software for all their smartphones.

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By Tina-cious.com on April 1, 2010 at 10:27 am:

Downloaded it! Will try it in the car later!

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By Tab on May 1, 2010 at 3:06 pm:

WARNING! SHADY! When you install this app, without ANY warning or confirmation, it goes behind your back and follows Drifesafe.ly on Twitter and likes it on Facebook. Creepy!

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- By randyman313 on May 2, 2010 at 6:51 am:
  
  I saw that!! That IS shady. I went right to Facebook an “unliked” it and unsubscribed to the RRS feed.
  Then I went back to my phone and uninstalled.
  
  After all this I went back and reinstalled but
  VERY CAREFULLY- unchecked the Twitter and Facebook option at the very bottom of the opening splash screen before hitting accept.
  
  Truly a sneaky thing to do.
  
  Reply
- By MrDSL on June 7, 2010 at 6:45 pm:
  
  Thanks for the heads up..I wont be bothering with a app that does something like that.
  
  Reply
By meosheat on June 16, 2010 at 1:37 pm:

trying to download app to HTC Hero. the link says the requested item could not be found. anyone else encounter this?

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- By DavidTx on July 9, 2010 at 6:17 pm:
  
  Yes, it’s doing that for me, too. And I can no longer find it in the Android Market via search or via Barcode Scanner.
  
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By No Good on August 4, 2010 at 7:54 pm:

App VERY SNEAKY i paid the $13.00 than after 2 days it would stop working than you would have to check the speak in coming calls when you did that it took you to a new app called id speak and they wanted another $ 13.00 scam i unsatlled the app all together SCAM BEWARE !!!!

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By Mike Strider on January 10, 2011 at 3:46 pm:

I have to agree that drivesafe.ly is a very good app but the company behind it has horrible customer service. If everything works for you, thats great but if they over charge your credit card you almost have to take them to court to get the charges reversed. For a company as big as they are to be as weak as they are in the customer support side, that worries me just a little. That’s my two cents worth.

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By karen on September 12, 2012 at 8:51 pm:

I brought pro version and it froze up my phone. Who’s the developer, I want money back

Reply
- By Antonio Wells on September 13, 2012 at 8:11 am:
  
  @Karen you can contact the developers here: http://www.drivesafe.ly/contact/
  
  Reply