While mobile devices keep pushing the envelope on what they can offer, it comes as no surprise that they can also serve as an alert system for anyone who feels they may be in danger or need to alert a loved one for any particular reason.

Covert Alert is an app that provides just that, and it is voice activated. Using a simple setup, involving just three clicks, you can have an account set up and contacts designated to the app, along with customized messages that trigger specialized alerts. The app is a free download and is very easy to use, so kids and the elderly can use it, as well.

Keep in mind that if setting up an account for kids, parents should be involved in setting up the phrases that the child will use to trigger alerts and that they know who the alerts will be sent to. You want to make sure that you have a trusted set of recipients. These alert recipients should also know that they may be getting these alerts. The last thing you want is someone ignoring an alert because they don’t know what it means.

During setup, all you have to provide is a name, an email address and a password. Be assured this information is kept secure.

To use the app, you can lock or unlock the alert system by a voice command. Once unlocked, it’s ready for use. At that point the user should speak a phrase that they have chosen based on what type of alert or message they wish to send. Emergency and non-emergency messages can be set up, but note that only 2 non-emergency messages are allowed. Once the app hears a trigger phrase, it sends out a predefined message, that you can customized, to all of the contacts on your list. The contacts also get a link to a GPS location so they can track your movement.

Cover Alert also allows you to record 15 minute snippets, which can be extremely useful for identifying the perpetrators.  These snippets are saved to your device and to your account. You can get access to these videos at any time by logging into your account on www.covertalert.com.

I would love to see the app send small recording snippets to the contact list, because that could aid in the alert system and in finding you.

While most alert systems tend to focus on women, I would highly recommend this for anyone. You could even use it for the elderly when they need to alert a family member if they are not feeling well or if they have fallen. It is a useful app for anyone to have.