The following is a sponsored post for Enlist Moms. All opinions are my own.
As a teen, the one thing that used to drive me quite crazy was haven to check in with my mom. Seriously, I used to get so embarrassed and annoyed when she would ask me to call her from a friend’s house.
This was way before the time of cell phones and even beepers, too.
So, not going to lie many times, I would just not call her, because it cramped my style and also because I was just that stubborn as a teen.
Mom and IBut now fast forward to 2014 and everyone has a Smartphone – even my dear old mom!
Yes, mom uses smartphone for many things, including Facebook.
Our Family – Summer 2014And now that I am indeed an adult and 37 years old – definitely not a teenager, but still not just my mom likes to know that when I go somewhere that I got there safely, as well as that I am returning shortly, too – usually my husband and kids by extension more so want to know.
So recently, I was asked to test out and try a new app called, PlaceUs, which a new ground-breaking app from the brainchild of Sam Liang, who was lead architect of Google’s location platforms available on iTunes or Android.
This app truly makes communicating easier and relationships that much more easier and simple.
[Tweet “Does your relationship need to be simplified? Try #PlaceUsWeGo @placeusapp “]
How you may ask does PlaceUs help relationships?
- First and foremost, it is free app that once downloaded and your family and friends download, too sends push notifications when a connection arrives or departs any place, including work or home.
But then how does PlaceUs work?
- It seamlessly allows you to keep track of your family on a private map, locate your loved ones through GPS, and know when they get to where they are going.
But is PlaceUs really that easy to use?
YES, because…
- You don’t have to worry about time-consuming check ins when you arrive places.
- You can set it up and forget about it – the app does all the hard work for you.
Some other features of PlaceUs Are:
- Automatically detects and remembers the places you visit – including place name/address, date and duration of visit.
- On-the-Go feature provides real-time location updates for when a connection is in transit.
- Save and view your favorites.
- Also, automatically ranks the Top 10 places you visit the most.
- Runs in the background and is optimized for battery efficiency.
But what if I want to turn off PlaceUs for some reason, can I?
YES you can and the app has…
- Privacy controls – So you can control who sees your locations at all times.
Our Personal Experience with PlaceUs App…
So, I am so thankful I got to try this app. I truly am not a nagging wife who needs to know where my husband is at all times and do very much trust him, but to be honest it was nice to know when he was coming home from work, because as much as Kevin does usually help with dinner (seriously he can cook, too!), it was easier then him phoning me.
And this way, I could start dinner for us and get things under way easier. For that alone this app was a winner in my book. Something so simple and yet something that did make my life that much easier (I am all for simple and easy with dinner time preparations by the way and who isn’t!).
Therefore, Kevin could come home and jump in, but the main portion of the meal was already started.
There you have simple, easy, totally making my life and Kevin’s (too) that much more manageable for family dinner time routines. A totally win-win for both of us!
Thank you to PlaceUs app.
Amanda @ Growing Up Madison says
I currently pay Sprint $10/month for the Family Locator which works. Guess what? I’m going to cancel and use this one. After all it’s free and it works. It’s time to save some money. Thanks for reviewing this!
karen says
think this will come in handy when Dino is older…will have to mention this to hubby, though I think it might freak him out. Will tell my parents, I know they like to keep track of each other.
Rosey says
Hurrah for easier!! And did you say your husband cooks??? Lucky!! π
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
I love to spy on people, so I should go download that app π
Jhanis says
Now that is one app I could use! Love that you can change the privacy settings! I always have to call my husband to check if he’s on his way to pick our son up from school and if they arrived home safely. Thanks for sharing Janine!
Kenya G. Johnson says
I don’t think my husband would like to use this. He doesn’t think I know he drops into the bowling alley when he’s “running errands”. I don’t need and app for that because I just know when he takes to long to come back. LOL! This will be great for one day when Christopher gets a phone though, instead of locating him it’s just already on. I like that. I thought I was the only one that had to “check in” and girl I could NOT just not call my dad. He’d be waiting for me at the door when I got home saying, “All I asked you to do was check in.” I swear I was the only one that had to do it. When Christopher was older and running between houses here in the neighborhood I’d have him do the same thing . I cringed when I met him at the door saying the very words my father said to me.
Ginny Marie says
My mom would’ve totally had a smart phone! She loved working on her computer and learning new technology!
Emily says
OMG Janine, I’m so glad I read your post today! (I know I’m more sporadic these days in reading others, but I try to check in every so often!)…I am downloading this app ASAP! My oldest son just got his driver’s license (yikes!) and we keep telling him to text us before he leaves (usually he leaves school when it’s dark because he has basketball practice until 6pm), but he ALWAYS forgets…I sit there and worry like crazy bc he’s a new driver, it’s dark out, and his school is about a 15 minute drive away. This app is EXACTLY what we need – thank you!!
Bev says
Very cool! It would definitely be handy to know where Sam is when he is heading home after work and have a sense of when he’ll be home, since most days I text or call him to gauge when he’ll be back. Thanks for sharing!
Dana says
I use the Find my Friend app, but I think it only works with iPhones. This is a great alternative. Both of my kids have phones, and Gwen will get her license soon, so an app like this is a must!
Kim says
I definitely need to check out that app – since Jordan started driving himself to school this week I have him text me when he gets there and before he leaves to come home – he would much prefer this method!!!
Thanks for sharing!
Bill says
Just a slight correction to something you wrote….not everyone has a Smartphone. π Guess who doesn’t.
Have a wonderful weekend my friend. Enjoy your down time, if you have any.
Diane Roark says
Janine,
Being a mom with all teenagers and one pre teen, I NEED THIS APP. My kids, especially my 18 year old who is a senior, hates calling me and letting me know he made it safely somewhere. I have a lot of catching up to do on my blog today since it has been converting to another host the past several days, BUT I AM DEFINITELY CHECKING OUT THIS APP THIS WEEKEND. Hopefully, later today.
I AM SO EXCITED!
Blessings,
Diane Roark
Carrie Groneman says
Fabulous post and GREAT information! I love how you walk us through how to download it, as well as its benefits and settings. Always on the cutting edge – just glad you take us along. Carrie, A Mother’s Shadow
lisacng @ expandng.com says
I used to use Find my friends but that isn’t on Android so it’s nice to have a replacement. Thanks!
Courtney says
GAME CHANGER. Although I still don’t feel ready for the teen years π
Tamara says
Definitely makes me wonder what will come out in the next ten years or so – when our little ones are out and about and we’re going to want to see what they’re up to.
I think the future is already here. And this comforts, because I’m so not ready for those years.
Christy Birmingham says
What a cool app, Janine! It’s great that it will help you to organize when to make dinner and stay organized too! Happy that you were able to try this app and find that out! Happy Friday π
Tenns @ New Mama Diaries says
Janine, I refuse to believe you are a day over 28! I seriously thought you were my age! I love the photo of you and your mom on your wedding day. I remember the good old days of checking in. Honestly, I still check in with my mom and husband if I’m out by myself. This seems like a nifty tool!
Rea says
Wonderful! It helps a lot to know that your family and loved ones arrived to a location safe. Or probably when a phone gets lost or stolen? I guess you can track where it is too through GPS? π So pretty photo of you and your mom!
Camille says
What a great idea! Technology can be so wonderful. π
Brittnei says
This sounds so cool! I think the ease of mind that my husband is on his way when he has a later day at work unexpectedly. This works vice versa for me when I’m out too! Great review Janine!
Stephanie @ Life, Unexpectedly says
I have to admit, I’m still refusing to get a smart phone, because I know that it would dominate my day, which I don’t want to (yes, I’m an obsessive nature). And I always shook my head at elementary schoolers sporting cells and smart phones. But with Lily out and about all the time, I have really thought that it may be convenient getting her a pre-paid phone, just to be able to reach her should we need to, or for her to call us, should she need to. Right now, I know that she’d mostly use it for shenanigans, but I’m sure she’ll have a phone before she leaves elementary school!
Echo says
Neat app! Thanks for sharing, Janine!
Michelle @ A Dish of Daily Life says
I’m so glad I read this today, Janine! I have to check this out…it would be nice to have an update from my kids without them having to check in and especially for my oldest son, who is often driving at night. He is great about calling us before he leaves, but this would give me peace of mind in case he forgets or just wants to get in the car and go. It would have been nice this weekend since everyone was headed in different directions…one kid to one ski house with a friend, my husband and youngest son and a friend to our ski house…and I was home with our oldest. Thanks Janine! And I love the re-design!!
Diane Roark says
Janine,
I now have my husband, daughter (Carly), and my son (Casey) on PlaceUS. Casey was reluctant, but since we pay his cell phone bill he gave in. Thank you again for this great APP.
Blessings,
Diane Roark
Jen says
We are finally biting the bullet and getting our oldest daughter a phone for Christmas! I am definitely going to look into getting this app π
Nellie @ Brooklyn Active Mama says
What a great idea for an app! I am always stalking my husband to see what time he going to get home from work so this is super handy!! LOL
another jennifer says
This is great. I can see how useful it would be for keeping track of teenagers!
Lux Ganzon says
Technology could be an angel to all of us. Thanks for sharing this. First time I’ve heard of it actually.
Catherine Gacad says
this is brilliant. i am bookmarking for when i have an iphone. i do have one, but it doesn’t have service…i only use it in the house when i connect to wifi.
The Pinterested Parent says
I love it that I am not the only one who would use this to check on my husband. LOL! Like many of these other ladies I am always wondering where my hubby is. He works far away sometimes & I like to know when I can expect him. π