Theft Aware

Summary

We reviewed Theft Aware Trial approximately three months ago. The app impressed us: it showed how hassle-free and efficient security applications made for Android devices can be. Today I will be reviewing Theft Aware 2.0 Trial for you. What's changed since the first version? Have any improvements been made? Today's test tells all!

Test device: Motorola Milestone / Android Version: 2.1update-1 / Root: No / Modifications made (change in CPU, etc.): None.

Theft Aware Trial garnered 19 stars out of 20—pretty impressive. So, if you're going to make a new version it's really important to take user comments and critiques seriously, and take these into account when setting out to improve an app. That's why the main focus in this test is not to review Theft Aware 2.0 Trial independently of its predecessor, but rather to present you with a comparison of the two apps. If you want to read more about SMS instructions, etc. please consult the Theft Aware Trial 1 review.

I was especially happy to see that Theft Aware Trial 2 – like its predecessor, and in contrast to its competition – can be reinforced. After the Theft Aware Trial 2 has been installed the app checks whether or not its suited to your device. This takes only a few seconds, after which 700 kilobytes of data is downloaded. Now comes the clou: Theft Aware Trial 2 is installed under another name. You can either select a name yourself or the app connects to the Theft Aware Server and suggests inconspicuous name. The recommended names are, in fact, so inconspicuous that I overlooked them a few times as I was combing through the main menu! The suggested name under which I chose to have Theft Aware Trial 2 installed as for the purpose of this test was “Poly Client”. The symbol used is the Android standard symbol—nice and unostentatious, and it doesn't attract too much attention.

As soon as Theft Aware Trial 2 has been installed under its pseudonym the original installation program is deleted from your device. You then start up the app using the alternative name (“Poly Client” in my case) and you will find yourself in the app's main menu. If you've never used this kind of app before you may need to take a moment to get your bearings. Configuration is done in a jiffy, however, and here's an overview which might help you adjust the settings faster:

Basic settings:

• User: Enter the name of the owner of the device—this only makes sense if you actually enter your own name.
• Access code: Create a code with which you will access the app in the future. Remember this code!
• Messaging 1: Enter the number to which messages should be sent (or select this number from your directory). It's preferable to select the number of a backup phone or of a person you can trust.
• Updates: A weekly check to see which program updates are available.

Advances settings:

• Messaging 2: Enter more number to which messages may be sent.
• Lock settings: This allows you to block the program manager or settings of your device, in case it is lost or stolen. Prevents thieves from removing this app!
• Allow SMS instructions: select whether SMS instructions should be accepted from all numbers or only the two numbers selected in Messaging 1&2.
• Block phone: You can set your phone to be blocked via SMS messaging or automatically if ther's a SIM card change. A text can also be displayed, and a sound alarm can go off if the phone is locked.
• Sound alarm: Use the siren-like sound from the pre-settings, choose sounds saved to your phone or record a new one using the app.
• SMS and GPS: Switch GPS on or off, select which map system should be activated when you find your phone's location (Theft Aware, Google Maps, Yahoo! Maps, Microsoft Bing Maps), position finding when a SIM card change occurs, SMS notification when the battery's flat.

Licenses / Vouchers:

• Buy or activate a license or hand in a voucher.

Updates:

• System check to see if updates are available for Theft Aware Trial 2.

Website:

• Access to the Theft Aware website.

There's a help-menu which provides you with thorough explanations and instructions regarding licensing, settings, and SMS insructions, as well as displays copyright/system status. The instructions can also be downloaded as a PDF file.

What really gives this app a well-deserved place in the Android hall of fame are lots of little details. For instance: if a GPS position finding is taking place the GPS symbol isn't shown, which means the Theft Aware Trial doesn't trigger any warning bells for the thief. Even if the GPS has been switched off on the device itself—the app can reactivate it! Theft Aware Trial 2 doesn't require internet access—awesome! Because internet isn't available everywhere. The fact that you can change a lot of settings via SMS instructions is also very impressive. Press on the device's menu button followed by Advanced in the main menu and you will be able to send test SMS in order to simulate blocking your phone in the case of theft.

You activate the app by pressing System activate in the main menu. Once this is done no other party can access the application. But how might one re-start the app? Another excellent solution was thought up for this task: simply “phone” the access code predetermined by you and the app starts up anew! I couldn't imagine a simpler or more secure system.

Bottom line:
Theft Aware's first version was already very impressive, what with all its cool functions and unique features (such as "hiding“ the app). The second version really ups the ante: it's even easier to use whilst simultaneously providing you with even more features. All features worked like a charm throughout the testing phase.

My verdict: this is, without a doubt, one of the best apps on the Android Market, and definitely the best security app there is.

Theft Aware 2.0 Trial's menu was reworked since the last version and it is now more comprehensive but even easier to use. One of our critique points in our review of the app's previous version was that more information regarding SMS instructions should be provided in the help-menu. The developers took this critique into consideration and improvements were made on both the help-menu and main menu.

Further great options such as recording siren sounds directly onto the app also won us over. A well deserved five star rating!

Theft Aware 2.0 Trial's performance is stellar: the app starts up fast and runs smoothly. No crashes or other problems.

Theft Aware 2.0 Trial can be downloaded free of charge and used in its entirety – without ads – for a trial period of seven days. You can then purchase a license for US$13,37 / €9,99 and enter it in the app in order to enable the full version. If this seems expensive keep in mind that updates are free and there are no extra monthly costs. Considering everything this app can do the price really seems fair.