AwareSpot is a new service that sends ‘relevant’ SMS alerts to your phone when something important occurs in your area. Like a traffic jam, or a community event. It’s not totally clear, but it seems that alerts and subscriber lists can be created and managed either by public bodies (such as city councils etc) or individuals. Once the alert list is created, the service can be used to distribute fast, direct messages to people’s mobile phones. If they don’t have a handset, they’ll get an email message.

If I sound uncertain, it’s because I’m not sure how useful location based alerts are, as opposed to a general SMS alert system. Maybe I’m missing something here, but it seems to me that the location is less valuable than the person attached to the phone. Ah well. Worth a look for those who run groups and need to contact such.

How do I find out about available alerts in my area?
To get AwareSpot alerts you must subscribe to what is called a “distribution list”. Trusted sources such as public safety, newspapers, TV, and radio stations advertise the names of AwareSpot distribution lists, but you might also find some relevant list names by searching the List Directory here on the site (note: many lists are not published, and many are private, invite-only).

Tags: online application, awarespot, sms, mobile phone