It's finders-beepers for your lost mobile phones

•  David Frith
• The Australian

 In the space of two weeks recently we managed to lose not one but three mobile phones.

Actually only two handsets were involved: an iPhone and a Samsung Galaxy S4. But sadly we contrived to lose the S4 twice.
Apple, Samsung and Google all offer "find my phone" services that can hopefully locate a missing device on a GPS-style map and, if for some reason it can't be retrieved, lock it or wipe its contents. But, as we discovered, some of these services work better than others.
The first time the S4 went missing we spent several days ransacking the house, being pretty sure we hadn't taken it out. We tried ringing it, but got no answering ringtone: the sound had been turned down for a recent media conference.
We were, alas, unaware of the Android SMS Alarm app that might have solved the problem. SMS Alarm is activated when you send a text message containing a code word to your phone and an alarm should sound even if the ringtone has been silenced.
Our Galaxy did eventually turn up, safe and sound, stuffed into a deep crevice between two sofa cushions, a position it seemed to be sharing with food crumbs and a few dead insects.
The iPhone was next to disappear. Couldn't be found one morning and, as with the S4, couldn't be located by ringing it, since the sound was turned down.
We tried to locate it using Apple's Find My Device software, installed on a desktop iMac. This is linked to iCloud, a service which stores users' mail, contacts, music, photos and other information on Apple's servers and shares them between multiple Apple devices.
It also contains information that will hopefully let it locate a missing iPhone, iPad or even a Mac.
We clicked on that, and it immediately used mapping services to show the location of two iMacs, a MacBook laptop and an iPad (all as it happened just metres away within the house).
But it couldn't locate the missing iPhone, presumably because it was either turned off, or out of battery life.
We were able to use the service to send the iPhone a message, to be displayed on its screen, saying "This iPhone has been lost" and urging the finder to ring our home phone for a reward.
Silence.
We rang our telco, Telstra, and suspended the service, thereby preventing a finder from using the phone to make calls at our expense.
Happy ending: the iPhone did turn up three weeks later, stashed in a hideaway pocket in a rain jacket we rarely use.
Meanwhile the Galaxy S4 had disappeared again. We'd had it the night before at a Sydney restaurant. But it wasn't in any of our clothing the next morning.
Had we ever registered the phone with Samsung's Find My Phone service? We weren't sure, but we gave it a try, anyway, using another Samsung device - a Note II phablet - to locate the missing gadget. Bingo. The phone immediately showed up, pinpointed and blinking brightly on a Google map, several kilometres away in a North Sydney office block we had never visited.
No need to call the cops. It was in fact in the office of our host company from the previous evening. An executive had spotted the phone on the floor of the restaurant and, not knowing whose it was, put it into safe keeping.
DoubleClick and the Galaxy were reunited within the hour. Had it been otherwise we could have used the Samsung app to lock the phone or wipe its contents.
In retrospect we were much more impressed by the Samsung finder system than by Apple's, but to be fair, we hadn't given the latter much chance by apparently having turned the iPhone off.
And if we had written off the iPhone and bought a new one, iCloud would have restored all our settings, contacts, music and email in a trice.
The moral of this story is, whenever you buy a new mobile, whatever the make, the very first thing to do is register it for a find-my-phone service. And if you do turn the ringtone down or off, you'd be wise to restore it later.
Samsung's Find My Phone software has been on all Galaxy models since the S3, but users of other Android-powered mobiles can access similar free software.
There's Android Lost and Locate My Droid, both available on the Google Play Store.
These, like the Apple software, need to be installed in advance. If you haven't installed such software and you lose your Android phone, there's always Plan B, literally.
An app named Plan B can be remotely installed on a lost Android phone from the Play Store. When activated, the app sends an email to the missing device's registered Google account, hopefully with its location.
For finding a mobile simply mislaid somewhere round the house there's also the free Whistle Android Finder: just whistle and your mobile should beep right back. Be warned; some users say all kinds of odd noises or radio music may set the beeper off, and there are also complaints of it sending out expensive premium-rated SMS messages without the user's consent.
BlackBerry has had a find-me service with a remote-wipe feature on its handsets for years, and Microsoft's Windows Phone 8 system, while not a top seller, may be the best of all.
There's no need for WinPhone 8 users to install an app at all: if the mobile goes missing they can access the Windows Phone Web site from any computer to find, lock or erase it.
Apple security, incidentally, will get tighter when the new iOS 7 operating system becomes available later this year.
Currently if someone with a bit of i-knowledge finds an iPhone you've left in a restaurant or on the bus and decides to make use of it, they can simply toggle off the location system in the Settings app.
Under the new system, the location tracker can only be turned off if the user knows and enters your Apple ID. You should be able to locate the phone and lock it. A casual finder will find he or she has simply acquired a natty little paperweight and, hey, there's someone knocking loudly on their door.

Someone call 999! Girl who got stuck trying to rescue her iPhone from down the drain has to be rescued by firemen

As any parent will tell you, teenagers and their phones are not easily parted.
Take 16-year-old Ella Sankey, who dropped her new iPhone down a drain while walking her dog.
Determined to retrieve it, she climbed into the drain – only to find that she couldn’t get out. An amused crowd, including her own mother, gathered to watch her struggle before she was eventually freed by firemen.

+7

The teenager became caught in the storm drain in an attempt to retrieve her phone, that has since between described as 'ruined'

+7

Firefighters rescued the girl from the drain near her home less than 10 minutes after receiving the call

+7

Miss Birchenough was eventually hoisted to safety after he attempt to get her phone went wrong

+7

Ella-Anne shortly after regaining her freedom. The teenager is completely unhurt but the phone is ruined

Emergency services had to be called and, luckily, it was a quick rescue. Kent Fire and Rescue Service received the call at 7.17pm and by 7.26pm, Miss Birchenough was free.
These photographs, taken by an eye witness, show two firefighters grabbing her arms and hauling her to safety while another watches on.

 

The girl's mother, Joanne Birchenough , 36, dashed to the scene and then dialled 999 and three firefighters turned up to gently pull the red-faced schoolgirl free.
Miss Birchenough, a GCSE student at Astol College, had only had bought the phone two weeks ago on a contract.
She said: 'I was talking to somebody and I went to put my phone in my pocket and it fell down the drain.
'I thought to myself 'I'm not leaving this' and I jumped down to get it.
'I wasn't really even stuck, I just need somebody to help lift me out but my mum got all panicky.
'When they pulled me out I ran straight home and jumped in the bath. I think it was just water but I wasn't taking any chances.

+7

Ella-Anne Birchenough, 16, managed to squeeze down the small drain on her street in Dover, Kent

'I was just laughing the whole time, I have seen the funny side of it. You just have to laugh along with it.

'There have been a few nasty comments about me being fat which isn't nice but I'm trying not to take it to heart.'

Taxi operative Joanne, who also has an eight-year-old son Ben, said: 'I was really worried. My face went white and I was in a panic.

+7

+7

Ella-Anne had to hoist off the heavy drain cover to climb down, she said even at the time she saw the funny side

'I was scared she might sink.
'I ran out the house, turned the corner - but as soon as I saw her I burst out laughing.
'I thought 'we are never going to get her out of there' so I called the fire service who got there pretty quickly.
'We are going to have to replace the phone but I'm not too angry. Worst case scenario is she ends up with an old Nokia.
'She is never going to live this down now. We will be bringing it out at her 18th birthday and her wedding.
'But worse things can happen then getting stuck in a drain.'
A firefighter from Dover fire station said: 'She was trying to retrieve her iPhone that she dropped down there. It's very unusual! I hear a few people have taken pictures.'
The drain cover and a pair of red wellies and a towel, understood to belong to the teenager, were next to the drain.
The photos of the incident have been posted on Facebook and Twitter and have since gone viral on the social networking sites.
The girl was not injured but a friend posted on Facebook that the phone was 'ruined'.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2595913/Help-Teenage-girl-gets-stuck-DRAIN-removing-metal-cover-try-retrieve-iPhone-feet.html#ixzz2xrhYysnU
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

Nomophobia

Stolen Mobile Phones , Things You Should Know

Stolen mobile phones

Regrettably, the theft of mobile phones is increasing with the rise in mobile phone usage in Australia. So what steps can you take to minimise the risk and inconvenience of having your mobile phone stolen?
The first step can be taken when you buy your mobile phone. Always ensure that you understand your contractual obligations if the phone is stolen. For example, if you signed a two year minimum term contract, you may be required to pay access charges for the remainder of the two years, even though you no longer have your mobile phone.
You may also choose to take out insurance to cover the theft of your mobile phone. You can enquire with your insurance company or your mobile phone supplier as to whether they offer insurance coverage for the theft of your phone. Again, make sure that you understand exactly what is covered by the insurance.
A feature of digital mobile phones is a removable Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card. This SIM card identifies the account holder, in contrast to the mobile handset itself. When a phone is stolen, an unauthorised user may make fraudulent use of it in several ways, including, quickly making calls on the phone before you have had time to report it stolen or, exchanging the SIM card.
Many makes of mobile phones have security features built in by the manufacturer. You should consult your user handbook for information on these features. If your mobile phone has such features as, for example, a Personal Identification Number (PIN) lock, you may wish to consider using it to disable the phone which may prevent an unauthorised user from making calls.
Every digital mobile phone also has a unique International Mobile Equipment Identification (IMEI) number which is like an electronic "fingerprint" for the mobile handset itself. To find out what the IMEI for your phone is, dial *#06#. You should record the identification details for your phone.
When carrying a mobile phone, take the same care that you would with a credit card or any other valuable item. Do not leave the mobile phone unattended in a car or handbag and try to keep it on your person, rather than lying on a restaurant table or shop counter.
If your mobile phone is stolen, you should immediately report the theft to your mobile phone company, so that any future calls are not billed to your account. You should also report the theft to the police. Supplying your IMEI to your mobile phone company and to the police may assist in the recovery and identification of your mobile phone.

Apple refused grieving sons' request to unlock iPad that belonged to cancer victim mother because 'they need dead woman's written consent'

A grieving son has accused Apple of having an 'utter lack of understanding and discretion' after the company refused to unlock his dead mother’s iPad - and asked for written permission from her.
Josh Grant, 26, from London, became the co-executor of his mother Anthea Grant’s will and estate with his brother Patrick when she passed away from breast cancer, aged 59, earlier this year.
He said his mother enjoyed playing games on the iPad after her husband died in 2010 and said she liked its raft of new security measures since updating to iOS7.
However, when the brothers contacted Apple following their mother’s death on January 19, they were told they would need 'written permission' from their mother to access the account.
On his blog, named Mustn’t Grumble, Josh wrote: ‘Unfortunately in her dying days she didn’t think to tell us her Apple ID password. Funnily enough, I think she had bigger things to worry about.
‘Patrick and I were named co-executors of the will and found ourselves responsible for mum’s estate.
'A tiny piece of that estate is her iPad, which my brothers and I agreed could go to Patrick.
‘In order to clear mum’s account from the iPad and set Patrick’s up they have asked for written permission from mum.’
After reiterating to Apple that their mother had passed away, Josh said the tech giant asked to see copies of her death certificate, will and a letter from the family’s solicitor.

However, this was still not enough and the brothers were then told by the US firm to provide a court order to unlock the device, invoking the Electronic Communications Privacy Act.
Josh, who said the court order could cost hundreds of pounds, was left disappointed with the way Apple handled the sensitive issue.
He blogged: ‘I have always been a fan of Apple but this incident has changed my opinion of them completely.
‘Their utter lack of understanding and discretion in a time of great personal sadness has been astonishing. For a company that sells itself on the idea we are all part of one big Apple family, they have been very cold.

'For a company that sells itself on the idea we are all part of one big Apple family, they have been very cold.'
Josh Grant
 

‘Understandably, my brother has given up and we now have a redundant iPad. If anyone has any suggestions for an unusable iPad please do send them in. I’ve suggested illuminated placemat and shiny paperweight.’
Apple said confusion surrounded the iPad because Patrick asked the firm to provide his mother's Apple ID password which can’t be released without a court order.
However, the company said the matter had since been resolved after it was confirmed he actually wanted to use the iPad for himself rather than access Apple ID protected files.
The tech giant said it was then able to turn off the Activation Lock security feature which only requires a copy of the death certificate and a legal document confirming the right to transfer the deceased's property.
The new iOS7 security measures are designed to protect users' online iCloud accounts which can be used to store personal information, documents and photographs.
In iCloud's terms and conditions, Apple warns: ‘You agree that your Account is non-transferable and that any rights to your Apple ID or Content within your Account terminate upon your death.
‘Upon receipt of a copy of a death certificate your Account may be terminated and all Content within your Account deleted.'

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2574697/Apple-refuses-grieving-sons-request-unlock-cancer-victim-mothers-iPad-tells-need-dead-womans-written-consent.html#ixzz2vE1PlVsA
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

Rogue cold callers jailed for £300,000 scam selling fake discounted insurance for mobile phones

A team of con artists who netted £300,000 from a cold-calling scam selling 'worthless' mobile phone insurance are facing lengthy jail terms after police installed hidden cameras and microphones in their office.
Workers at the bogus call centre in Swansea tricked around 3,000 mobile phone users across the country in the eleborate scam.
They targetted people who had just bought phones from Phones 4U and Carphone Warehouse as one of the gang had worked for both companies which meant he had 'insider information' about how the system worked. 

They pretended to be from phone giants O2 and Orange - and claimed to offer their customers discounted insurance packages. But a court heard they were not authorised to sell the policies which were worthless.

 

Prosecutor David Elias said: 'Around 3,000 people across Britain were conned in the fraud.

'It contributed to the erosion of confidence in the industry by members of the public.'

The team, based in Swansea, were monitored by police who installed hidden microphones and cameras to take hundreds of hours of footage over two months.

Craig Pitman,  received a suspended sentence for his part in the £300,000 scam while Wayne Ghosh, who was said to have played a leading role was handed a three-and-a-half year sentence

Swansea Crown Court heard how they told customers they were saving money when they paid a one-off sum of £105 to swap their legitimate phone insurance for worthless ones.

Three members of the team admitted conspiracy to defraud, another four admitted selling insurance when unauthorised to do so.

Christopher Surman, of Sketty, Swansea, who was described as the major player, received a four year sentence.

Andrew Patterson, of Swansea, had 'inside knowledge' from working at Phones 4U and Carphone Warehouse. He was given three and a half years in jail.
Wayne Ghosh and Omar Mapara of Bristol, who were said to have played a leading roles in the scam, were sentenced to three and a half years and three years respectively.
Managers Helen Lewis and Craig Odger and Craig Pitman all admitted a charge of selling contracts of insurance which they were not authorised to do and were were handed suspended sentences.
Detective Inspector Dave Runnalls of the South Wales Police Economic Crime Unit said: 'This large-scale investigation into the fraudulent sale of mobile telephone insurance from a Swansea premises identified victims throughout the United Kingdom.
'It has been a long and complex criminal investigation over several years conducted by the South Wales Police Economic Crime Unit and the guilty pleas reflect the overwhelming amount of evidence gathered against the individuals concerned.'

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2564909/Rogue-cold-callers-jailed-300-000-scam-selling-fake-discounted-insurance-mobile-phones.html#ixzz2uBdY73f8

Down the toilet, dropped - most popular ways Australians break their phones .....thats why you should insure with PHONEINSURE

WE'RE a clumsy bunch us Aussies. Also a bit naughty it seems, too, as revealed in a recent survey showing how we break our phones and our habits of using our phone in bed.
One in ten Australians have used their mobile phone while having sex to either text, go on social media or take a call from their boss, family or friend, with 20% of these people in the 25 to 34 age group, according to research released by Yatango, an Australian mobile phone retailer.
Andy Taylor, Yatango CEO said: "Is romance dying in Australia? In the lead up to Valentine's Day, [we're] calling on people to take an amnesty from using their phones during intimate moments."
Disturbingly perhaps and according to the research, 45% of those people took a call from a family member and 36% from a friend or colleague - proving that in a 24/7 world, no time is off limits.
In the past two years, over 30% of people have lost or broken their mobile phone one or more times, in various ways, including:
•Falling out of a bag or pocket (46%)
•Dropping it down the toilet (13%)
•Losing it while drunk (13%)
•Sat on it (10%)
•Left it in a cab or at the pub (9%)
•Dropping it in a drink (7%)
•Smashing their phone on purpose (2%)