Your Web News in One Place

Help Webnuz

Referal links:

Sign up for GreenGeeks web hosting
May 10, 2011 03:40 pm EDT

PLAN emergency alert system going mobile in NYC and DC this year, nationwide in 2012


If you live in the U.S., you've probably seen those anger-inducing emergency alert system test messages that interrupt your favorite programming on a weekly basis. Most of us have never seen the system used in an actual emergency, but come later this year, cell phone users in New York and Washington will have similar alerts pushed to their mobile devices -- presumably without the annoying weekly tests. Known as PLAN (Personal Localized Alerting Network), the free service will reportedly only work with smartphones (we're guessing the GPS comes into play here) on AT&T&T, Sprint and Verizon. The secure messaging network will likely display messages as notifications, rather than texts, and will push to all compatible devices within an affected area based on the phone's physical location, not just its mobile number. Local, state and federal officials will send notifications in response to disasters and other public safety threats, presidential announcements, and Amber Alerts. In other words: it'll only be used for actual emergencies, so don't expect updates on the whereabouts of your favorite captive reptile.

PLAN emergency alert system going mobile in NYC and DC this year, nationwide in 2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 10 May 2011 11:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

PermalinkNew York Times | sourceCity of New York ||Comments

Original Link: http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/10/plan-emergency-alert-system-going-mobile-in-nyc-and-dc-this-year/

Share this article:    Share on Facebook
View Full Article

Engadget

Engadget is a web magazine with obsessive daily coverage of everything new in gadgets and consumer electronics. Engadget was launched in March of 2004 in partnership with the Weblogs, Inc. Network (WI

More About this Source Visit Engadget