I wrote a post about the wonderful app, Twist, a few months ago. I LOVED this app and always made sure everyone knew about it. Twist was an app that would allow you to send notifications to your clients to let them know when you would arrive for appointments.
Some of my favorite features included syncing with my calendar; text and email notifications; and giving my clients play-by-play notifications on when I would arrive. If I got stuck in traffic, it would let them know that, too!
I realized about a month ago that this app was no longer. The weird part was it didn’t happen overnight like “Flappy Bird.” There was a slow progression to its demise. I noticed, at first, that a few of the features were no longer working. I figured maybe there would be an update coming soon, and maybe there was a bug. So, of course, in my busy work schedule, I ignored those little things that were missing.
Then one day it happened — I went to the app and nothing would work. I tried testing it with my hubby and nothing. I was completely devastated by this and began my search for a new app to take its place. I am a tech junky and usually don’t get this attached to an app because I know they are easy to replace, and often the replacement apps are even better. I tried searching the Internet for any info on why this app no longer exists and I came up with nothing. I still haven’t found any info as to why, only that it is for sure gone.
My clients also loved this app as much as I did! So, of course, the last couple of weeks have been interesting explaining to them why they weren’t getting my notifications anymore. So this has caused me to be on the hunt for that perfect app to take its place. I have to tell you that I haven’t found anything yet that has ALL the features that Twist had, but I think these choices will do, until someone, maybe me, brings this app back to its true glory.
There were only two that I found that came close, but not exactly like Twist. Glympse is similar in that it uses your GPS to see where you are and where you’re going, but it’s inviting people that you choose to view where you are and where you’re going.
Glympse is a fast, free and simple way to share your location in real time with the people you trust. Send a Glympse to your friends to let them know you’re on your way. Request a Glympse of your friend who is always running late. Create a group for your family reunion. Set a duration, pick a destination, choose the recipients and hit send! Glympse will take care of the rest.
The pros of Glympse:
- FREE.
- Syncs with calendar.
- Sends notification to more than one person as to your location.
The cons of Glympse:
- Can’t schedule them in advance.
- Made for groups of people, but can be used for one.
- Allows others to see where you are, but doesn’t give notifications as to your estimated time of arrival (ETA).
Beebump app
The second app I found is called beebump, which is similar but doesn’t meet my criteria. This app seems to made more for friends as well, and because it uses funny GIFs and phrases to let them know you’re leaving and your arrival, it may not be appropriate for your clients. You are able to send notifications to your clients that you are leaving and it gives them access to view where you are, but doesn’t send notifications along the way. You aren’t able to sync with your calendar, which for me is a huge benefit.
Beebump does allow you to set up a location in advance, and it doesn’t start until you have left your location. This means you can schedule in advance, but without a calendar sync option this can get clunky and manual.
I am still devastated that my wonderful Twist application is gone and I can only hope that one of these two apps will make some changes to make them PERFECT! Do you have any recommendations on location apps that can follow a Realtor’s schedule and alert clients in real time?
Stacia Whatley is managing broker at Hawkins-Poe Inc. in Gig Harbor, Wash., and has a passion for marketing and new technologies.
