Are you Going to use the COVIDsafe App?

[serfty]

I did research this a fair bit and I decided I was happy to:

Privacy Policy

The COVIDSafe app speeds up contacting people exposed to coronavirus (COVID-19). This helps us support and protect you, your friends and family. Please read the content on this page before downloading.

www.health.gov.au

 

[jb747]

When was customer convenience ever a consideration.

 

[OATEK]

The PITB about QR codes for the customer is that one has to fill out the bloody form anew each time. Convenient for business but less so for customers.

My usual local cafe (visit 2-3 times a week) has a check-in system that allows you to save the details on your phone and pre-fill next time. No PITB there

 

[jb747]

I'm probably missing something here. But, presumably the QR code only needs to say that you're in restaurant X. Time is provided by the phone, as well as GPS position and phone number. Point the phone at the QR code, and the app fires off those couple of items, and get an acknowledgement. Move on.

I can't wait to see just how complex, slow, and unworkable the Victorian solution will be.

 

[OATEK]

My usual local cafe (visit 2-3 times a week) has a check-in system that allows you to save the details on your phone and pre-fill next time. No PITB there

I'm probably missing something here. But, presumably the QR code only needs to say that you're in restaurant X. Time is provided by the phone, as well as GPS position and phone number. Point the phone at the QR code, and the app fires off those couple of items, and get an acknowledgement. Move on.

I can't wait to see just how complex, slow, and unworkable the Victorian solution will be.

In Sydney most QR codes have been set up by the business under their Covid safe plan, to replicate the physical sign in log (name, phone number and/or email). So not using location services. Have not used the NSW Government ServiceNSW app system yet, but think they are following the same pattern. That way contact tracers get the same information about customers as the paper-based log. Lots of people struggle with the QR code, and that is probably the biggest PITB as it holds up the queue.

 

[moa999]

Definitely harder for those on Android as many Android camera apps don't scan QR codes by default
(Using Google Lens is my solution, and then auto-fill works pretty well for details).

But agree that using a government app that already has your details so all you need to do is scan the QR code would be preferable.

 

[DC3]

... using a government app that already has your details so all you need to do is scan the QR code would be preferable.

Yes. That may be ready around the time of the next bigly pandemic. Perhaps in another 100 years, or so.

 

[Spongbob]

It is interesting that in the middle of a new lockdown in Victoria no Federal government official is even mentioning the COVIDSafe app.

 

[Lynda2475]

It is interesting that in the middle of a new lockdown in Victoria no Federal government official is even mentioning the COVIDSafe app

Because they know virtually noone is using it, it doesnt work properly on apple and kills battery on android.

Everyone has switched to state based QR check in apps, which work without impacting the performance of your phone.

 

[tomlee1986]

It is interesting that in the middle of a new lockdown in Victoria no Federal government official is even mentioning the COVIDSafe app.

Because the states have their own QR code app... and I do use that one instead, and got notified when I was at an exposed venue

 

[Flying mermaid]

Because the states have their own QR code app... and I do use that one instead, and got notified when I was at an exposed venue

Yes I have pretty much stopped using it, but am meticulous about the QR checkin.

 

[kpc]

Deleted mine as draining phone battery !

 

[Spongbob]

It is still touted by the Federal DoH: COVIDSafe app

 

[SydneySwan]

It is still touted by the Federal DoH: COVIDSafe app

Jeez

 

[wandering_fred]

Use a card to pay your bill and your "presence" is automatically registered (if there is a need).
Most of the time I manually register if I will be there more than a couple of minutes.
Without wandering
Fred

 

[Spongbob]

Use a card to pay your bill and your "presence" is automatically registered (if there is a need).

Wasn't this part of the logic for the changes to DFAT's SmartTraveller program?
That is, there is now no need to register your international travel plans as your movements can be followed by your electronic footprints.

Maybe DFAT and DoH don't talk to each other? Or the new SmartTraveller is about as useful as the COVIDSafe app?

 

[tomlee1986]

Use a card to pay your bill and your "presence" is automatically registered (if there is a need).
Most of the time I manually register if I will be there more than a couple of minutes.
Without wandering
Fred

I am the same as well... I use apple pay - similar for others who use android and google pay - the same thing

 

[suze2000]

Saw the Health Minister get asked directly at today's presser if the covidsafe app had been any use in the current outbreak and he said with a sardonic smile "No."

Then amended it to "Not to my knowledge"

But yeah, another useless POS.

 

[nutwood]

Saw the Health Minister get asked directly at today's presser if the covidsafe app had been any use in the current outbreak and he said with a sardonic smile "No."

Then amended it to "Not to my knowledge"

But yeah, another useless POS.

POS is possibly a bit harsh. The general concept was good but the execution was terrible. Unfortunately, an all too familiar problem.

 

[suze2000]

POS is possibly a bit harsh. The general concept was good but the execution was terrible. Unfortunately, an all too familiar problem.

The software IS a POS. Otherwise everyone would still have it on their phones!

I uninstalled it because it kept interrupting the bluetooth signal to my headphones which was infuriating even without the battery drain.

 

[Spongbob]

The general concept was good but the execution was terrible. Unfortunately, an all too familiar problem.

So more than 12 months later the implementation of this plan has not improved.
And does anyone take responsibility for this? It seems not.