Skyhook Wireless Joins the Fight Against Stolen Android Handsets

by Elias Chiddicks on September 10th, 2009 at 11:39 am

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Skyhook has shown face on a couple of different platforms and in a few major partnerships but as of today, has made it’s first foray into Android. Skyhook’s service is to be combined with SIM Checker,  a "security asset recovery app." SIM Checker allows you set your device up with a maximum of three SIM cards. If a mystery SIM card is inserted, the app uses Skyhook’s tech and allows users to track their phones through three channels: GPS (naturally), WiFi and cellular coverage. Using these connections the app can do a pretty good job of triangulating where your phone is and you aren’t.

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The app is available for free but a donation for something with this potential to save you money, time, extreme depression and/or anger might not be out of line.

EDIT: Get it here (thanks to Brian).

[Via AndroidGuys]

  • Carl C

    This app is simply awesome ,

    I wonder if the iphone has something like this?

  • alex

    I agree, the application is great, I made a few tests and it does actually work fine. Great job!

  • Brian

    The iPhone can be remote wiped via Exchange or located and/or remotely wiped via Apple’s MobileMe solution. On a users’ me.com site they can chose to locate or wipe it or send threatening messages to return the device.

    I’ll have to try out this Skyhook deal though. Seems pretty cool. I like the idea that I could recover my phone should it lose it.

  • Brian

    I can’t find a download to this? Is it not in the Market yet? Is there a .apk?

  • Brian

    Found it. Nevermind. http://www.trackdroid.org/simchecker.html Installing it now.

  • http://dkworldwide.com/techlife Dave Kaufman – Techlife

    Better or worse or similar to mobile defense which I love.

  • Ryan Kramer

    Correction: This is not Skyhooks’s “first foray into Android.” Their location API is used in a bunch of Android apps. Additionally, the Google location API does GPS, cell, and Wi-Fi. Skyhook seems to be more accurate in dense urban environments.

    @Dave SIM Checker only works when the SIM card is changed. I think Mobile Defense can work on-demand and has some other features??



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