Mobile Technology

cellCONTROL keeps mobile phones from working in moving cars

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When installed in a car, Scosche's cellCONTROL disables mobile phone use while the vehicle is in motion
In order for cellCONTROL to disable a phone, that phone must first be running a Scosche-supplied app
When installed in a car, Scosche's cellCONTROL disables mobile phone use while the vehicle is in motion
When installed in a car, Scosche's cellCONTROL disables mobile phone use while the vehicle is in motion
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Don't want your teenage kids using their mobile phone while they drive? Well, hopefully explaining the dangers to them will do the trick. If it doesn't, however, you could always install Scosche's cellCONTROL in your car. The device is activated whenever the vehicle is in motion, and uses a Bluetooth signal to disable calling functions, text messaging, email, app use and internet access on phones within the car.

The trigger device is installed in the vehicle's under-dash OBD-II interface, and reportedly doesn't need to be tended to in any way once it's been installed. Should a disgruntled driver attempt to "tend to" it, however, it will send you a text or email, letting you know that tampering has been attempted.

Welcome as the technology may be, there are a few limitations to cellCONTROL.

Most importantly, although it does work with Android, Blackberry, Windows Mobile and other popular operating systems, it doesn't work with Apple devices. At least, not yet. Also, in order for it to disable a phone, that phone must first have a Scosche-supplied app installed on it - so, if a friend hands your kid their phone, they can still use it.

Finally, if it detects a hands-free headset, it will allow phone calls to be made using it. Given how studies have shown that phone conversations distract drivers more than the phones themselves do, perhaps that feature should have been left out.

Nonetheless, if you'd like to give cellCONTROL a whirl, it can be purchased from the Scosche website for US$129.95. The company suggests that it could also be used in fleet vehicles, to keep employees off their phones.

Source: OhGizmo

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13 comments
EddieG
This is a no-brainer. Only took 10 years to develop. By the time our legislators figure it out we\'ll be communicating by telepathy.
Paul van Dinther
What stops the user from uninstalling the app?
bramachari
God forbid we just thoroughly train and test people before granting them a driver license.
Joseph Shimandle
That is illegal in the US. You can not block radios transmission, cell phones included.
Michael Gene
Stupid idea, I imagine pedestrians will become quite irate when their calls are interrupted by this device installed in cars driving by.
Adrien
I think it\'s a terrible idea.
No passengers can use cells either? Neighbouring cars? Pedestrians?
agulesin
@Joseph: I don\'t think this is actually \"blocking\" anyone\'s signals. It only prevents the use of the phone which the \"stealth\" program resides on.
@Michael: It won\'t affect pedestrians - in fact, they should be thankful as they are safer when cars using this device pass by!
@Adrien Please see my note to Joseph (above).
I think it\'s a good idea, as it seems impossible to get people to control themselves...
Dewi Owen
Guess what google navigation needs to download live driving directions.. ..internet access.
Congratulations to the concept testing team for their spectacular fail lol
rik.warren
I don\'t believe you can run stealth applications on smart phones. So no 911 calls or On Star analogs which are handset based? I understand the risks posed by driving impaired but this is another knee jerk techno whiz bang solution with unforeseen consequences. Face it, it is impossible to protect people form themselves. We can only educate and inculcate behavior beneficial to others.
Nelson
I hope they make one that can be used in movie theatres.