It's here!
May 31, 2011 - Oops I'm Late 1.0 for iOS is now available via iTunes! Follow us @oopsimlate. For more technical info on this version, check the developer blog here, read the user guide (pdf), or try the Message Designer yourself.
*** OFFICAL PRESS RELEASE ON iOS ***
Geotag and conserve a Tweet NEW
Squeeze more into your 140 character tweets with the new Twitter Geotagging contact method. Add location information w/out having to generate a link. Activation requires Settings, "Enable Geotagging".
Facebook & Twitter Compatible
Social
networking on the go made safe. Let everyone know what you are up to in a safe
and sane way. Whether you wish to make a discrete update with a direct message to a friend or
announce a public status update, Facebook
or Twitter on the go with Oops I'm Late!
How it works
1. Enter your appointment information in your Calendar as you would normally, either on your phone, desktop or web.
2. Turn on your GPS (built-in on some phones). Check the FAQ if you don’t have a GPS.
3. Open Oops I'm late! on your phone. The program will connect to the internet in an attempt to geocode your information using Yahoo! and geonames.org. Microsoft Bing™ for mobile and Calendar To Map may also be used as geocoding sources. A failure to resolve the address will result in a request for more information.
4. Verify Attendees from your late/arrival notification. (This is a chance to make sure the big boss isn't listed.)
5. Forget about it; drive where you need to go, when the late status has been determined by the settings you provided, your contacts will be notified accordingly; text messages can be sent even while you are on the phone.
Benefits
- No more awkward “I’m running late” or pointless “checking-in” calls such as "Call me when you pass the Gas Station on Route 4." and other “Let me know when you get to x” conversations
- Notification in familiar locations (i.e. regular client appointments, grocery store run, lengthy drive, etc.)
- Strengthen/Preserve your Reputation, allows others to regain time, attend to other business, etc.
- Revolutionary, disruptive technology that is designed to keep your common courtesy quota up
- Major use case is for notification in familiar locations (i.e. regular client appointments, grocery store run, lengthy drive, etc.)
- No longer need to make pointless “checking-in” calls such as "Call me when you pass the Gas Station on Route 4." and other “Let me know when you get to x” conversations
- Allows others to regain time and warm the oven, attend to other business, etc.
- Enhances your reputation with courtesy. Maintain a better outside reputation, to ensure you have the inside track. Ensure others know that their time is important to you.
Features Matrix
| Feature | Description |
|
X |
Solves basic notification problem - “keep in touch” communication based upon arrival. |
|
X |
Social Networking NEW - Support for Facebook and Twitter Direct Messages as well as Public Updates. Twitter Geotagging is supported which yields more space in tweets while associating it w/a location. Use the Facebook or Twitter service to make your geographic updates known. Requires free Facebook or Twitter.com account. |
|
X |
Always Notify NEW - Choose between using your ETA to determine if you wish to send a message or send based on a predetermined time. |
|
X |
Integration with Bing™ for mobile NEW - A user can now geocode (or convert a street address into latitude and longitude coordinates) an appointment in Oops I’m Late! and use it with Bing™ for mobile. Go from an event in their calendar to a map of the event on their phone. Once the new location is set, choose from: categories, map, directions, traffic, movies or gas prices. Additionally, a previously saved Microsoft Bing™ for mobile location can be used as a geocoding source, saving time (requires free download of Microsoft Bing™ for mobile). |
X |
Today Screen NEW - Leave Oops I'm Late running in the background and see a live update of your ETA, distance and average speed at a glance. Click or touch to launch application. Today Screen integration is turned off by default. |
|
X |
Contact Filtering - System-wide contact filtering prevents unwanted attendees from being included. There is no worry about the Pointy Haired Boss getting a confusing message when late to a meeting from lunch, even if the boss is invited or is the event organizer. The system-wide contact filtering allows for a do-not-notify list, an exclusive notify-only list, manual mode, or no filtering at all. |
|
X |
Sounds Library - It is a lot easier to know if one is late if someone tells you. At the time designated, the initial check of whether one is late or not will trigger: "I am on time.", "I have arrived." or "Oops I'm Late!" sound, followed by a countdown w/verbal cues at 60, 30 and 10 seconds before cancellation or notification depending on lateness. Finally, a messages sent sound is played, if notifications were sent. User created sounds
may also be used
when placed in a custom folder under the "Sounds Library" directory. [Special thanks to Mike Vendetti for providing the Male Voice samples. Windell H. Oskay, www.evilmadscientist.com for the CC photo] |
|
X |
Set Up Once: Each location along w/attendees designated are saved after the first use, once the location is set up, only the name of the location need be referenced. |
|
X |
Personalize Notifications can be personalized with what is going on now: ETA, number of active tasks, emails & voicemails unread, music track and album being listened to and other special fields. For more info, see messages. |
|
X |
Balloon Popup Alert Notifications - Without switching out of another application or phone call, decide whether to sleep, cancel or switch to the next appointment. |
|
Unlimited |
# of locations stored |
|
X |
Geotag fields NEW - %CurrentLatitude%, %CurrentLongitude%, %MapEmbed% generate current latitude, longitude and a URL to a map of the current location. |
|
X |
Common Shared Locations - Additional location files can be added for shared corporate or community use. Examples include files containing common landmarks and client offices which could save time on geocoding as well as create a defined attendee list. |
|
X |
Automatically phone dial a contact - Arrange for a call without lifting a finger if you are late or at a certain time. Great for conference calls. Simply add an attendee w/the full phone number to your meeting including any meeting IDs using commas for pauses. |
|
X |
Default Contact - Set single contact to assistant, receptionist or other resource to easily call on any business phone number or mobile assigned to contact. Now, there is no more looking up contact information associated with a client, event or location. |
|
X |
Send Now NEW - Is this the best moment to update everyone? Send message(s) immediately w/Send Now. Feature also cancels any pending notification for current destination. |
|
X |
Background - Runs in background, regardless if person is on phone, running another app or idle. |
| Price | |
|
$9.99 |
Scenarios
- Weekly meeting at distant location with variable start time
- On way to location during traffic on freeway (tested in Southern California, notorious for Sig Alerts, large entertainment venues and general traffic)
- Long trips with an unknown amount of starts & stops (trip to the country/city)
- Dates, business meetings, special occasions
- Any travel that requires occasional contact as to Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA/ETE)
Why not just call on the way?
The application can call your default contact for you, if you so choose. Be advised some localities require drivers to not be on call, even while using a headset. A wired or bluetooth headset would be recommended in such a configuration.
In modern metropolises (such as Southern California, where the application has been developed), being late is not shocking. Because of persistent traffic problems, many people are blasé about being late. In the US, west-coast unique time challenges (massive unpredictable gridlock) and subsequent stress are also part of many metropolitan areas. Lastly, the laws are changing in many areas such as SB-1613 requiring hands-free use of mobiles.
In response to “why not call them or leave early?” – even making a casual phone call while driving, is distracting and increases the chance of an accident or at the minimum, causes a delay in response time. Leaving early is always a good idea as is good planning.
Failsafes
- No notification if the GPS is lost, no false positive "lates".
- 30 second delay on final warning before notifications are sent.
- Once notifications are sent or time has passed event, no further notifications are sent.
Messaging
Oops I'm Late! has a unique messaging system allowing for special fields to be including in your message. This allows you to create a dynamic feel to your composed messages. See page on messaging for more info.
Documentation
Quick Reference & The Oops I'm Late! Late Guide
The Oops I'm Late! Late Guide, written by Robert Moskowitz, author of "How To Organize Your Work and Your Life,", "Total Time Management," and "Dollar$ and Sense", includes tips that focus on how you can cope with both being late and the after.
Why do I need it?
Oops I'm Late! is a revolutionary, disruptive technology designed to promote better communications through the use of technology. 15 to 20 percent of the U.S. population is "consistently late," especially when it comes to work which generates 90 billion in lost productivity from late CEOs alone. The name is meant to destigmatize the stress associated of being late, a common modern condition.
What about privacy, what information is sent?
No information is sent, only query information to the internet.
How does GPS work? Is it Safe?
Global Positioning System satellites transmit signals to the ground. GPS receivers passively receive the signals from the satellites; they do not send any information: See Wikipedia on the subject for a brief primer.
What if my phone doesn't have GPS?
GPS devices are available via bluetooth as well as built in with some newer phones.
What about my other GPS program? Is it compatible? Does this replace it? Are there any compatibility issues in general?
Oops I'm Late! is designed to run with your existing GPS application and can run in the background, restored to the screen at any time. Most major, modern GPS applications such as Bing™, Google Maps, TomTom, GPS Tuner, etc. have a 'Intermediate mode'. This allows multiple GPS applications to share the same device. There are no known compatibility issues w/other GPS applications.
Why is this software for entertainment purposes?
In our litigious world, protection clauses are fairly common, a de rigueur standard. Moreover, the science behind Oops I'm Late! is emerging and is far from exact. One should always plan ahead, coordinate, and leave space.
How to Order
Oops I'm Late 1.5 for mobile is available exclusively on windowsphone.
International Support
Check list of supported countries for more information.
Phone not listed? Email platforms@alexreich.com with your phone type and model in the subject.
Installation
Installation is either over the air (OTA) using the phone or via the desktop.
To verify the phone is properly configured try using either
Microsoft Bing or Google Maps in GPS Intermediate Mode (not tied to a specific COM port).
Support
Customers email support@alexreich.com.
Roadmap
Your feedback on future features or unplanned issues is welcome. The next major release of Oops I'm late! is being planned now. What features would you like to see?
Who developed Oops I'm Late/What is the software house?
Alex Reich wrote Oops I'm Late!How was Oops I’m Late written?
Oops I’m Late! started on the morning of January 1st, 2007 in Los Angeles, California. On July 2nd, 2007, Oops I’m Late! 1.0 was released. On April 1st, 2008 1.1 was released. On October 28th, 2008 1.2.3 Refresh 2 was released. The road to 1.5 was completed on January 11, 2010. Oops I'm late! was 1st fueled by the strength, support and encouragement of family, who gave the first nudge to create the solution.
Press, Investors, General Inquiries & More Information
Contact info@alexreich.com.