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The Ultimate Guide for switching from a PC to a Mac
(Part 2 - coming soon)

Monday, March 3, 2008

An alarm for MacBook and MacBook Pro!

I remember a few years ago when I had to use a separate device as an alarm when I left my laptop unattended for a few minutes. Things have improved a lot since. A pretty cool application called iAlertU uses the MacBook or MacBook Pro built-in accelerometer as an alarm. The application is enabled and disabled using the Apple Remote. I assume the application is set with a particular remote, just like the OS, to stop anyone from disabling it with any remote. The application can also use the built-in iSight to take picture when the alarm goes off. You can learn more about iAlertU or download it here from MacUpdate.

7 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

I downloaded this application about a month ago, it's really great! As a college student, there have been a lot of times when I've been nervous about leaving my Mac unattended at the library, but this gives you peace of mind. Also, it is great pranking tool, your roommate or friends will really freak out when they jump onto your computer to check facebook and a siren starts going off.

March 3, 2008 at 1:55 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

A nifty trick. Another tool that I've been looking at getting is the Targus defcon1 alarm. kensington lock and motion sensor (95 dba). Looks alright all things considered

March 3, 2008 at 5:07 AM  
Blogger Pieter said...

It can also send the an e-mail with the picture taken with the iSight camera using Mail. Storing the picture of the thief on the macbook itself is not very useful.

March 3, 2008 at 7:57 AM  
Blogger Oliver said...

@firrenzi

I have the original defcon 1 security system and there's one big problem I have with it. When it is bumped on the most sensitive mode, it only beeps. Then, after several beeps (probably 20 or so) the alarm goes off. It is possible to spin it from the wire and have the alarm not go off for quite some time.

MacTipper
My Mac-Tipping Blog

March 3, 2008 at 10:02 AM  
Blogger neal said...

I've known of this app for quite a while. It's fun. It'll get a rise out of those around you when you activate the alarm. But I wouldn't leave a several-grand device sitting around, assuming your safe with iAlertU.

Here are the limitations:
•You cannot have your headphones plugged in when you leave. Otherwise, the audible alarm is only as audible as the headphones.
•The culprit cannot know how iAlertU works. If you turn off the computer, it's disabled. If they cover iSight, you don't get a picture.
•You really need to know the person who stole your computer. Otherwise, you're SOL. Maybe you could include the photo with the police report, but I wouldn't count on getting my lappy back.

But, really, it's fun. I use it.

March 3, 2008 at 1:23 PM  
Blogger Simone said...

@MACGEEK:
Are you the ninja in the photo? ;)

March 3, 2008 at 1:34 PM  
Blogger Frederic Tremblay said...

@Nessuno:

LOL! No, the screenshot is from the developer's website.

March 3, 2008 at 1:40 PM  

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