Where’s My Phone?
Essare, LLC has developed a fantastic app for those that suffer from a bit of forgetfulness when it comes to their phone. “Where’s My Phone” (WMP) helps users find and recover their phone whether it was left behind in a taxi or lost underneath that pile of laundry on the bed. Users will never have to worry about misplacing their phone with this easy to use app.
WMP monitors the user’s email account (BlackBerry Internet Service or BlackBerry Enterprise Server) for a “code word” and ‘command” in the subject line of the email. The code word and command triggers an alarm and a message is displayed on the phone.
There is a free and a pro version of this app. With the pro version, users are able to do some of the following:
- Remotely trigger a loud alarm, even if your BlackBerry is on vibrate or silent mode!
- Display a message on the screen, telling the finder how to contact you. (The free version does not allow customization of this message. )
- Get your BlackBerry s location via GPS, emailed back to you on devices with GPS . (Only works if your BB has GPS. The free version allows you to test whether your phone is GPS capable. GPS function is capable with the pro version.)
- Have your BlackBerry call you at another number, so you can hear where it is.
- Check the battery level remotely. (Not available on the free version)
- Customize the alert screen Color, Font, Functions, Message, Alarm tone.
- Code word protect the WMP options screen
The app is available for free or for purchase through BlackBerry App World. I purchased the pro version ($3.99) through App World. With the pro version, I was able to customize the message displayed on my phone (seen by the finder), choose between different alarms and various bright screen colors. I tested the app several times and it worked very well. I sent an email from my GMail account to my BlackBerry email. The alarm is loud (and annoying) enough for someone to notice the phone. There are options on the screen that allow the alarm to be silenced. If the alarm is silenced, the user will receive an email stating the alarm was stopped. You can send another command via email to start the alarm again if needed.
The only con to this app is that if your phone is locked, the alert message will not be displayed. All other functions, however, will still operate properly. Personally, I lock my phone quite a bit, so I am a bit worried that if I lost my phone, someone wouldn’t be able to contact me. Regardless, I still feel the app is worth it, particularly because you never know when/if you’ll lose your phone and what the chances are that it’s in a locked state (sometimes I do forget to lock my phone). Also, if your phone is stolen, it prevents the phone from being used, which gives you a bit more time to get in touch with your cell provider to get it shut off. Even if the thief pulls the battery to restart the phone, an email would be sent to you saying the alarm has been silenced. You can send another email with the command to start the alarm again, again preventing them from using the phone. All in all, a great app and worth the money in my opinion.
For more detailed information about this application, visit Essare’s website.
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