Alive

Product Introduction

1. Definition: Alive is a privacy-first safety monitoring application (technical category: personal safety software) designed exclusively for iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and visionOS devices. It operates as a non-intrusive check-in system using timed intervals to confirm user well-being.
2. Core Value Proposition: Alive provides passive safety assurance for solo dwellers by automating emergency alerts via email when user activity deviates from preset patterns, eliminating the need for constant location tracking or social sharing. Its core purpose is preventative anomaly detection for isolated individuals.

Main Features

1. Configurable Check-In Timer: Users define a check-in interval (24h, 48h, or custom duration). Opening the app or manually tapping "Check In" resets the countdown timer. Technology: Local device scheduling with background process monitoring (iOS Background Tasks API).
2. Tiered Emergency Alert System: If the timer expires or consecutive check-ins are missed, Alive automatically sends encrypted email alerts to pre-configured emergency contacts. How it works: Emails contain preset user messages and last status timestamp. Supports multi-contact escalation (e.g., contact A after 1 miss, contact B after 3 misses). Technology: On-device SMTP client with TLS encryption; messages stored locally or in E2E encrypted cloud (user choice).
3. Minimalist Interface & Adaptive Reminders: Features a starry UI with a subtle breathing light indicator. Sends low-intrusion reminders (e.g., notification) as the timer nears expiration. Technology: Haptic feedback and silent notifications (AVFoundation). Includes customizable Quiet Hours (Do Not Disturb) and reminder cadence settings.
4. Zero-Setup Encryption & Privacy: Requires no account creation. All sensitive data (contact emails, check-in logs, preset messages) use AES-256 encryption at rest. Technology: iOS Data Protection API and Secure Enclave for key management. Adheres to strict data minimization – collects no location, health, or usage analytics.

Problems Solved

1. Pain Point: Mitigates risks of unnoticed emergencies for people living alone (e.g., falls, sudden illness) without invasive surveillance or burdening contacts. Solves the "silent crisis" scenario.
2. Target Audience:
   • Urban professionals living solo needing discreet safety nets.
   • Elderly individuals or those with chronic conditions requiring passive monitoring.
   • Remote students/workers away from family support networks.
   • Adventure travelers/hikers needing backup check-in systems.
   • Individuals experiencing mental health challenges desiring reassurance.
3. Use Cases:
   • Automatic alert to family if an elderly parent misses their daily check-in.
   • Notifying climbing partners if a solo hiker fails to confirm safety post-expedition.
   • Escalating alerts to friends/EMS if a person in depression becomes unresponsive.

Unique Advantages

1. Differentiation vs. Competitors: Unlike location-sharing apps (Life360) or social check-ins, Alive requires no persistent GPS, no social network, and no real-time tracking. It’s a "set-and-forget" failsafe, not a social tool. Competitors often require subscriptions for core features; Alive offers a functional free tier + low-cost premium.
2. Key Innovations:
   • Truly Zero-Data Model: Verified "Data Not Collected" in App Store Privacy Report – rare for safety apps.
   • Encrypted Offline-First Design: Operates without cloud dependencies; alerts trigger directly from the user’s device.
   • Behavioral Invisibility: Only interacts with the user during setup, check-in, or timeout – minimal daily interaction.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Does Alive track my location? No. Alive explicitly avoids location tracking. It relies solely on manual check-ins or app opens to confirm activity, prioritizing user privacy.
2. How does Alive send alerts if my phone is off? Alive cannot send alerts without device power/internet. Its design assumes the device is operational. For critical scenarios, pair with hardware fallbacks (medical alert systems).
3. Is Alive really free to use? Alive offers core functionality (single contact, basic intervals) free forever. Premium tiers (USD 0.99/month, 3.99/year, 7.99 lifetime) unlock multi-contact escalation, advanced customization, and encrypted cloud message storage.
4. Who receives alerts if I miss a check-in? Only your pre-configured emergency contacts via encrypted email. Alive never contacts authorities or undisclosed parties. Contact data is stored encrypted on-device.
5. How secure is my contact information and preset messages? All sensitive data uses AES-256 encryption at rest (on-device) and in transit (email via TLS). Messages can be stored locally only or in optional E2E encrypted cloud storage. The developer collects no user data.