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When I first heard about the app, Folr and told the husband about it, his first reaction was one of extreme amusement, followed by a somewhat sombre expression with tight-knitted eyebrows, “You want to know where I am 24/7 ah?”
Can I blame him? I had the exact same thoughts when I first heard about Folr! In fact, I was about to reject this opportunity to review the app until I was told of all the possibilities the application could achieve, and I thought, “That’s so useful! I can do with something like that!”
You see, Folr is an application that allows you to get real-time and detailed information on the location of your loved ones. More than tracking the whereabouts of my husband (ahem), I am more interested in tracking the location of Joey and my mum, and I have good reasons for wanting to do so. Having tried out the app myself, let me outline some of the reasons why I think Folr is a good and useful app (for me at least):
1. I Can Be A Mother Who Stays In Control
You see, Joey takes the school bus to and from school everyday, and I wait for her at the bus stop every evening to pick her up. While I wish that school bus timings can be more accurate, there were days when I had to wait 15 to 20 minutes before the bus arrived. On other days, I would get a call from the bus driver because I was not at the pick-up location yet! Having the application on Joey’s phone, I would be able to know exactly where she was and make my way to the pick-up location at exactly the right time. No more wasting time waiting for a late bus or rushing when I was late! Much as I like variations and excitement in life, most of the other times, I prefer to be in control. When she grows up even more and goes out with her friends (or boyfriend, gasp!), I can also know where she is at any point in time. That’s keeping tab without being too intrusive. I say that’s a yay! (Well, just as I can track her, she will be able to track me too. I don’t know if that’s a yay or a nay =X)
2. I Can Be A Daughter Who Feels Assured
When it comes to my mum, having Folr installed on her phone allowed me to know where she was when we are out shopping with her. Everyone who knows my mum knows that It’s easy to lose her in the crowds when she got distracted doing her own shopping. Sometimes, calling her on her phone to find out exactly where she wandered to was no use either, because she would not unsure where exactly she was. =.= Folr gives me an assurance of mind, knowing exactly where she is at any point in time. My mum does not stay with me, and there are days when she would be home alone when my brother is working overseas. With the app, I can keep myself updated with her real-time location any time as well. Really useful, I say!
3. I Can Remember Where I’ve Been (Like Finally?)!
The app allows me to keep a detailed location history of my loved ones, and I can get similar info for myself from the phones of those who are tracking me. Now, that’s really useful especially when consolidating expenditures for the month so that I know where my money went to. How’s that for being organized? (Disclaimer: In order to view history of location log-ins, there is a S$38.98 annual subscription payable.)
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Now, I know some of you might have concerns about installing this application. They are valid and I had them too when I was introduced to the app. But having tried it the past week, let me bust those myths today! (Yup, you can thank me later)
Myth #1: This must be a very COMPLICATED app!
I admit it, while I am a social butterfly (on social media I mean =P), I am not so good with techie stuffs. I get a headache when something gets too complicated, gadget-wise. Thankfully, Folr is a very easy application to use. All you need to do is to download it FREE from Google Playstore, or Appstore, and follow the simple steps to sign in with your mobile number. Then, add family members or friends into your ‘radar’. Fret not if they do not have the app on their gadgets yet – Just send an invitation for them to download the app and you are all ready to follow each other! Simple & fuss-free.
Myth #2: This is STALKING, isn’t it?!
Nope, absolutely not. And how do I know that? Every person you wish to follow must accept your invitation to track their location! Plus, anytime they wish, they can switch the tracking ON or OFF. Everyone has a choice, and no one will be stalked.
Myth #3: I would VAGUELY know where, but never specifically, right?
Wrong! This is as specific as it gets. Once I click on the person I am tracking, it brings me to a Google Map (as below) that details the exact spot that he/she is. (The detailed location’s blanked out because if you wish to track my mum, she must first accept your invitation. =P)
I love being in control, and this app allows me to do just that. If you find the features of the app to be useful and applicable for your life as well, wait no more! Download Folr today. More details on the app at https://folr.com/.
