Filed under: Odds and ends, Apple, iPhone, App Store, iPod touch
The Bad Decision Blocker prevents dialing mistakes
Enough of the fart apps -- here's an iPhone function we really need. The Bad Decision Blocker (BDB for short) is an iPhone app that will let you block any of your phone's contacts for a predetermined set of time. We've all been there -- you go out Friday night, get a few drinks in you, and suddenly calling up your former friend, or a girl you're trying to ask out, or a girl you used to go out with (who decided not to hang out with you any more thanks to all the drinking) becomes something you're suprisingly willing to do. BDB, however, will say no, and keep that contact out of the contact list, until whatever time you'd said it was OK to let it back in. And, presumably, by that time you can be in a more sober state of mind, and realize that you don't need any girl whose idea of a good time is keeping you from having fun. Take that, Susan!
It's helpful for sure. All the program seems to do is erase (and rewrite) whatever contacts you choose in your address book, so you've got to re-open the program after the set time if you want your contacts back. Also, the app doesn't actually block the phone, just the contacts you choose, so if you have their phone number memorized, you might still end up doing a little drunk dialing. But you never know -- BDB might be just the thing to help you leave that old relationship right where it is, or at least come to your senses long enough to not sabotage that new one. It's in the App Store right now for 99 cents.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Kelmon said 8:20AM on 3-27-2009
Pretty much the same sort of idea as Google when it updated Gmail to prevent you from sending drunken late night emails. It's a pretty reasonable idea and it sounds like a decent implementation. Unfortunately, I wonder what the impact of this will be on future RomCom movies when the hero can no longer express his suppressed love for the girl...
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eMax said 12:30PM on 3-27-2009
Or you can stop being a procrastinator and take the persons information OUT OF THE CONTACT LIST PERMANENTLY.
This solution is FREE.
This solution works for ALL PHONES AND COMPUTERS.
This solution will make you a STRONGER PERSON.
This solution WORKS!
Charles said 7:43PM on 3-27-2009
Yes, removing the contact works, but it also leaves you venerable to answering an unidentified call when your drunk ex is returning the favor. I'm more in favor of a breathalyzer attachment to all phones that disables their ability to call anyone except a cab company.
paulcb said 9:05AM on 3-27-2009
How about making the decision to not get plastered in the first place.
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Brian Allen said 9:56AM on 3-27-2009
I am with you on this one.
robogobo said 8:46PM on 3-27-2009
huh?
John Russell said 9:42AM on 3-27-2009
Is there any way that something could happen that would cause the app to lose the contact?
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SubGenius said 10:19AM on 3-27-2009
Sounds like a 12 step app is what you need.
If you "think" you need this app, you have bigger problems that no app can solve.
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Gavin said 10:45AM on 3-27-2009
How 'bout an app that will let us block calls from a particular number?
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captainblack said 11:36AM on 3-27-2009
I'm assuming this won't work with MobileMe or ExchangeServers. So much for protecting yourself from telling that client or vendor what you really think of them.
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MichaelBB said 1:44PM on 3-27-2009
Gee how about acting your age and growing up and getting over the woman that dumped your butt in the first place.
If you need an application on the iPhone to stop you from being an A__H__E than just check yourself into the local police dept drunk tank and stay there a while
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Mike said 2:46PM on 3-27-2009
It is amazing how many iphone applications are being designed for drunks today. I have seen a lot of them and despise them all. It is ridiculous how people today drink just to "have fun". Instead of drinking to forget problems, people should get a life and face the problems or visit a shrink.
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Kelmon said 3:07PM on 3-27-2009
A little judgmental, no? What makes you think people are drinking to forget something? I won't condone getting smashed and doing something dumb but there's nothing wrong with going out with friends and having a drink.
Charles said 7:45PM on 3-27-2009
I fully support getting plastered and doing something dumb (except driving).
robogobo said 8:51PM on 3-27-2009
I'm with Charles on this one. Some of my best memories are of the nights I got so plastered that I could hardly remember anything. wait, um, yeah.
Mike said 3:28PM on 3-27-2009
having a drink is one thing. Having all drinks is other.
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robogobo said 8:49PM on 3-27-2009
wow, I'm really super amazed at all the puritanical judgmental holier-than-thou pricks out there tonight. Oh wait, it's Friday night in the US and you're the only ones home surfing the lonely web. how sad.
Awesome app.
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Turd said 10:15PM on 3-28-2009
While I agree that all these comments about anyone who needs this app or who drinks at all is an alcoholic that needs to be locked up is ridiculous, weren't you online on a friday night replying to them?
robogobo said 4:45AM on 3-29-2009
it was Saturday morning here in my time zone, bub. The whole world doesn't live in America.
John Mish said 9:35AM on 5-05-2009
It is ridiculous how people today drink just to "have fun". Instead of drinking to forget problems, people should get a life and face the problems or visit a shrink.
http://www.online-flash-game.com/
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