We make it so easy for bad guys to nab our phones, walking around like zombies texting while we eat, walk, drive, sleep. If you are standing gazing longingly into your phone – that is all a bad guy (or gal) needs to scope you out and nab your goods. They do it ALL DAY EVERY DAY… and they get a few hundred dollars on Craigslist and eBay for your prized communications device. Help LAPD help you find your phone in the event it is stolen, or lost!
From LAPD: In the age of technology, Smartphones and computers are being stolen more than ever. Many times these Smartphones are taken by force and/or fear, raising the crime of theft to the level of a robbery, a felony crime. Sometimes, these Smartphones are taken during burglaries from cars or homes. Apprehending these suspects and returning these phones to their rightful owners is difficult. The instructions in this pamphlet can help you get your phone back if it is ever lost or stolen.
Fortunately, most newer phones, such as Apple’s iPhone, Blackberries and cell phones utilizing the Droid operating systems, have built in Global Positioning System (GPS) technology which makes it simple to locate them if they are lost or stolen.
Locating these Smartphones or computers requires that the telephone or computer owner download a free or low cost application to their Smartphone or computer and activate the software. The below listed software can be downloaded directly to your Smartphones from the regularly accessed software markets associated with each system.
Blackberry Phones
Find My Phone
By GENOA net works
Price: $2.99
Go to the Blackberry App World market on your Blackberry Smartphone and download the application entitled Find My Phone. You can control your phone and locate it via SMS and Email. You can control your phone to ring, vibrate, and/or flash, and you can locate it via GPS.
For further, see: http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/13560 and http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/4670
Wheres My Phone Pro
By Essare LLC
Price: $3.99
Features:
Go to the Blackberry App World market on your Blackberry Smartphone and download the application entitled Wheres My Phone Pro. This application helps you locate, find, and recover your lost or stolen BlackBerry Smartphone. You control Wheres My Phone by sending e-mail to it from any computer or device.
Theft prevention tip for iPhone Users: Due to their simple identification, the white “Ear Buds” that came with an iPhone make it easy for thieves to determine that you have an iPhone, even if your iPhone is hidden in your pocket. To make it more difficult for the crooks, you may want to use earphones of a different color. Let’s make it difficult for these thieves!
iPhones and iMAC Computers
Find My iPhone
Or Find My iMAC
Price: Free
Find My iPhone and Find My iMAC are free for anyone with an iPhone 4 or 4s, iPad, 4th generation or later iPod touch (iOS 4.2 required), or iMAC Computer. This application will allow you to find your phone or iMAC computer using any computer using the onboard GPS technology. You must set up Find My iPhone or Find My iMac in the iCloud preferences on our device.
For further, see: http://www.apple.com/iphone/built-in-apps/find-my-iphone.html
Android Operating System phones
LocateMyDroid
Price: Free
Download and install the application LocateMyDroid from the Android Market for free. Following the directions on the screen, the owner must activate the application. You can then Track your phone via GPS using email or SMS from any other phone or computer.
For further, see: https://market.android.com/details?id=com.alienmanfc6.wheresmyandroid
