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Very
good
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Mobile Alarm System – Protection for your smartphone
Tested version: 1.1.96
Latest version: 1.2.91
Requires Android: from 2.1
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Summary
There's no shortage of theft protection apps for smartphones and we've tested out quite a few of them for you.
Our app of the week Mobile Alarm System is yet another theft protection app. It can be triggered by various factors and set off the alarm that is meant to protect your smartphone in worst case scenarios (i.e. theft or attempted access by another party).
Read on to find out what sets this app apart in our review below.
Features & Use
Section rating:
Test device:
-Samsung Galaxy Nexus 4.1.1
As mentioned, Mobile Alarm System is the kind of app that promises to protect against theft or unwanted access. Furthermore, it has an anti-virus function which is always a welcome addition.
Six triggers can set off the app:
- the phone is moved
- something approaches or leaves the proximity sensor
- the phone is unplugged from charger
- someone unlocks the phone
- a noise is too loud
- the camera detects motion
In a nutshell: the phone picks up on someone doing just about anything to the phone, including merely approaching it. The camera trigger acts as a motion detector and this feature and/or the sound feature can set off the alarm when someone comes near the device.
I tested out the motion detectors and they all worked flawlessly, much to my surprise. I couldn't quite understand what exactly triggers them—I moved around in front of and behind the device and the alarm went off.
Go to settings for a few options on how to personalise your user experience. For instance, you may de/activate the alarm sounds. Add your own sound or select which sounds are to be used. You can also set up a time window during which you might deactivate the alarm whenever you're the one using your phone. A PIN block can also be configured, you can select the volume and duration time of a given alarm as well as regulate the sensitivity of the alarm.
One feature I found to be especially useful are the email, SMS or call notifications that inform the rightful owner that an alarm on their device has been set off. If you opt for email notification don't forget to check your SPAM folder and mark incoming notifications as safe so that in future they will land directly in your inbox.
The call function is especially useful because it allows users to follow the audio of what is going on with their device, making it easier to figure out where the phone might be.
There is also an option to automatically shoot a picture when the alarm goes off, using either the front or back camera. That said, all the pictures that were taken during my test runs did not come out (they were completely dark).
Bottom line:
Mobile Alarm System is a well made application that has a few flaws but is easy to use.
I would say that the app is ideal for retrieving a device when you're having trouble locating it at the office or after a dinner party at friends', as well as for preventing anyone accessing your phone and the data on it.
An alternative use for this app which the developers also highlight is as a prank gimmick.
There is perhaps no foolproof ant-theft app, seeing as in order for this app to function as such requires the user always being in close enough proximity to their device to hear the alarm.
Screen & Controls
Section rating:
Mobile Alarm System comes in a great design which is always a plus. The graphics are consistently good and this helps makes the application that much easier to use. The activity sensor display, for instance, is shown here with the help of green and red buttons. Nicely done.
Speed & Stability
Section rating:
Mobile Alarm System runs well aside from the bug issues mentioned above. It did not crash once throughout our test. Sensors kick in immediately and emails, SMS and calls are sent out/made instantly.
Price/Performance Ratio
Section rating:
Mobile Alarm System is available from Google Play Store and the AndroidPIT App Center for EUR 1.01.
As our app of the week you can find Mobile Alarm System for a special discount price of only EUR 0.49 in the App Center.
For this reduced price we deem Mobile Alarm System as being a good application – or rather prank gimmick?
Comparable Apps
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Developer
Top App:
Mobile Alarm System Lite
Mobile Alarm System is a burglar alarm system with many features. It protects your phone (...)
Mobile Alarm System is a burglar alarm system with many features. It protects your phone (...)
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Market Comments
A Google User, May 12, 2013
Recommends for Padfone 2 users This is the only theft alarm application that perfectly works in this device..I tried many theft alarm application and none of them works properly..though 4 stars for now. I hope the developers will add multiple battery alarm like what the battery widget of elvison offer so that we can also avoid overcharging our battery or charging it to 100%.. that's would be great as a bonus for this application. keep it up devs..
A Google User, May 9, 2013
Perfect! A great product! Very easy to configure and use. Does what it says, and is exactly what I wanted. Works like a charm, well done devs! nb. Would suggest adjustable delay, up to a minute or so, when activating sensors so we don't accidentally trigger the alarm when putting the phone down.. also a brief description of what each button does... A brilliant app anyway! Cheers!
A Google User, Apr 26, 2013
Must have alaram Works great with my samsung note. Well done mr developer. Is it possible to make further improvement like the camera to take saveral shots instead of just one shot and option to start video recording. Why is this good alaram so cheap to purchase.
A Google User, Apr 21, 2013
Issues that need fixing. The movement sensor activates the moment I switch on the system, either far to sensitive or faulty, theres also no alarmsystem folder, whuch means no where to store photos, the app doesnt take a picture either. Using samsung galaxy tab 2... how do I get a refund, last of all this app only works for mobiles, as theres no way for the app to call or send sms with a wifi based tablet..., dont buy or install if you use a wifi tablet, as its pointless. App needs an update, hint... add an sms and call function that works with wifi, like adding a skype function to the sms or call function.
A Google User, Apr 6, 2013
Very nice and clean interface Nice and clean interface, but: 1. Email notifications are sent over some third party mailbox. Quite a privacy issue I think. I would like the ability to use my own account. 2. Currently the application crashes after detecting camera movement with the preview window open.
A Google User, Apr 3, 2013
good app strong sound. i have just got complain from my sister but i love this app. 5 star for u
A Google User, Apr 2, 2013
Need camera improvement Great App, but please add more features in terms of camera and pictures. It saves picture in the same phone gallery folder will be great if it give you options where we want that picture saved for example if it save in drop box we can see the picture from the different computer.
A Google User, Apr 1, 2013
Power down to disable alarm To disable the motion alarm, simply long-press the power button and power down the device. No alarm is thus triggered, although it should have been.
A Google User, Mar 31, 2013
Almost perfect With the addition of a widget this is a great app for what it does. The only other thing this could use would be the ability to set it for individual apps. My wife likes to ask to borrow my phone for "innocent"reasons but I know she's looking through my texts the minute I turn my back. She'll never find what she's looking for but It would just be nice to know when she does it.
Works great, love the idea just one down side, the camera needs to be the front facing camera or give the option to change it in the app. Other than that works great. Fix the camera and it'll get 5 stars.