I don't see why it should need special hardware. Why can't they just send standard text messages?

The basic idea of alerts to a phone is good. I gather it saved a lot of lives in Japan.

You know how when you're watching a great show or movie on TV and suddenly right when the hero says something really profound you get a loud tone through the speakers and an emergency broadcast message takes over the picture? Of course you know, it happens all the time.

Standby -- the same great service is coming to your cell phone, but with a more personal touch and the added benefit of geo tracking.