Jitterbug scoops up M-PERS start-up, MobiWatch

By: Brian Dolan | Nov 4, 2009

GreatCall, parent company to Jitterbug, the easy-to-use mobile phone service for seniors and others looking for simple phone service, has acquired mobile personal emergency response services company MobiWatch for an undisclosed sum.

Waltham, MA-based MobiWatch offered a keychain device that included an emergency button, which activated a Bluetooth connection with their cell phone which then connected to the emergency call center. The caller is then located via GPS and the call center can alert the police, ambulance or family members. The idea was similar to Onstar for cars.

As had been pointed out, MobiWatch intended to charge between $6 and $10 a month for a device and service that required a mobile phone already — sure, a button is easier to press than 9-1-1-SEND on a cell phone. Maybe not $10 bucks a month easier though.

According to Jitterbug’s press release, it seems to have no intention of carrying out MobiWatch’s business model: Jitterbug plans to integrate the service into its mobile phones. Sounds like MobiWatch’s offering will become another service in Jitterbug’s Services Store — its version of an App Store.

“The MobiWatch offering will be further developed by Jitterbug before coming to market. It will allow users to quickly and effectively reach trained emergency response personnel—whenever and wherever those situations may occur—directly through their Jitterbug phone,” according to the press release. “The new Jitterbug M-PERS offering is scheduled to be available in late 2010. It will be supported by Jitterbug’s outstanding and friendly America-based 24×7 customer service representatives, as well as a fully-staffed independent call center of licensed paramedics and personal response agents.”

For more read the full press release here

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http://3gdoctor.wordpress.com David Doherty

If readers are interested in another provider of such a solution I’d recommend Securecom who have developed a wireless water resistant personal alarm button-like device that works with any bluetooth mobile. Full details at:

http://securecom.ie/wireless_personal_alarm.html
http://www.wirelesslifesciences.org/2009/11/jitterbug-scoops-up-m-pers-start-up-mobiwatch/ Jitterbug scoops up M-PERS start-up, MobiWatch | Wireless-Life Sciences Alliance

[...] View post: Jitterbug scoops up M-PERS start-up, MobiWatch [...]
http://best-prepaid-cell-phone-plans.com/jitterbug-emergency.html Shambhu

Your comparison to Onstar for cars is interesting. Jitterbug’s system would have your personal info and history on file for quicker response. One issue is privacy. 911 calls are considered part of the public record. I wonder if calls to this service will be considered private.
http://mobihealthnews.com/8429/survey-24-percent-want-calorie-counter-apps/ Survey: 24 percent want calorie counter apps | mobihealthnews

[...] The most interesting slide from Wang’s presentation gauged the respondents’ interest level with various types of mobile health app-enabled services. Some 30 percent of those surveyed were interested in “an app that alerts you when a loved one needs help or attention.” Sounds like Personal Emergency Response Systems (PERS) is the frontrunner. (Jitterbug’s plans to launch such an application and service later this year may bode well then.) [...]
http://mobihealthnews.com/9138/biosign-to-buy-healthanywhere-in-4-3m-deal/ Biosign to buy Healthanywhere in $4.3M deal | mobihealthnews

[...] Response Service provider MobiWatch for an undisclosed amount was the last acquisition. That was almost a year ago — November [...]
Bhudz

Another provider of simple phones that gives great offers to consumers is Just5. This my mom’s provider and she is very happy it. She enjoys the phone’s very practical features and the attractive rates of calling plans. With this provider, she only spends $3.33 a month. She only uses her cell phone for important things so she can make the most of the 100 minutes call offered in the $10 worth minute plan that expire in 90 days. I believe this option is great for practical people out there!
http://mobihealthnews.com/10886/jitterbug-users-now-have-mpers-option/ Jitterbug users now have mPERS option | mobihealthnews

[...] can add the 24/7 emergency service to their rate plan for an additional $14.99 per month. GreatCall acquired mPERS startup MobiWatch in November 2009, the all-stock deal for MobiWatch was valued at around $100,000, according to a regulatory [...]

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