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iPhone and iPad/iPod touch Device Tracking
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+ What does Device Tracking do? For registered iPhone
and iPad/iPod touch devices, when configured
tracking applications or Web Clips are being launched from the Home Screen, activity information is send to the Members iTrack device profile, enabling expert research to possibly identify the location from where the device was being used. The Member can configure tracking parameters on the iTrack website to affect the behavior of the tracking application that runs on the device, such as displaying messages to the user, or quietly collecting information in 'stealth' mode. Installing a tracking program (available from the Apple App Store) on an iPhone or iPad/iPod touch facilitates tracking by utilizing the built-in Device Location Services features.NOTE: Tracking can only be performed on
iPhone or iPad/iPod touch devices which have been properly configured before
any loss occurs. + How does iTrackMobile differ from Apple's MobileMe™ 'Find My iPhone'? Because Apple does not permit third-party developers of tracking apps to
implement certain advanced functions, the following features can only be
obtained through Apple's MobileMe™
service: + Which types of Devices can be tracked?
Device Tracking is only implemented for iPhone and
iPad/iPod touch units which have been configured with a tracking application.
The application tracking features are only accessible to the user if the iPhone or iPad/iPod touch Home Screen has not been locked through Passcode protection. However, the Lock Screen will always be displayed when the device is powered on. For this reason, each tracking app will generate a default Wallpaper ID image to be assigned as the Start-up Screen. The Wallpaper ID displays sufficient contact information to a finder to return the device to the rightful owner via the iTrackMobile website. In addition, with our tracking apps developed for the latest iPhone iOS, customizable Alert Notifications are pushed to a lost device and display owner contact information to instruct the finder on how to return the unit. Alert Notifications are displayed and include a voice message to the finder, even if the device is Passcode protected. + Does the iPhone or iPad/iPod touch have to be 'jailbroken' for tracking?
No.
iPhone and iPad/iPod touch devices which have been configured with our tracking application do not require to be 'jailbroken'. Jailbreaking or hacking the Apple iOS will void your warranty, infringes upon copyrights, and can render a device inoperable over time. All of our apps are only available on the App Store after having passed Apple's stringent review and approval process.
Apple Push Notification Services (APNS) is a technology which enables iPhone or iPad/iPod touch devices to receive urgent messages in a secure and
near real-time manner.
Urgent messages can be send to a device by a member if the unit was declared as lost or stolen. These messages can be default alerts generated by the system or specifically composed by the member in the Device Profile Tracking section under their iTrackMobile website account. Accompanying each message is a voice recorded announcement to instruct the finder to return the device. Voice announcements and other owner contact instructions are displayed in multiple languages (English, Spanish, and German are currently supported). It is worth noting that APNS alerts will be displayed even if the device has Passcode locking in effect. Once a member has declared a device as lost or stolen, alert messages will be securely transmitted from the iTrackMobile servers to the Apple counterpart. The APNS servers in turn will attempt to contact the respective iPhone or iPad/iPod touch to display the alert. This process will continue until either contact is established or APNS has determined that the device is no longer reachable. Once contact has been established and the iTrack app was launched, APNS tracking information is recorded under the member account. This information can then be used to assist Law Enforcement in the recovery of the device. In order to utilize this technology, the iPhone or iPad/iPod touch must be running the Apple
iOS 3.0 (or higher), and have an app installed which was specifically developed to take advantage of APNS. + Does Device Tracking cost anything?
A basic tracking app is available for FREE. However, more advanced versions of our Tracking applications are available for a nominal fee on the App Store.
+ I have experienced an error when downloading a tracking app from the App Store. What should I do?
If you receive an error in the App Store when attempting to download one of
our tracking applications, you will need to first contact iTunes Store Customer Support.
http://www.apple.com/support/itunes This will allow you to directly resolve the specific App Store account issue. If it is determined by iTunes Store Customer Support that the issue lies with the tracking application and not with the App Store or the customer's account, iTrackMobile will be contacted by Apple to resolve your issue. + My iPhone went dead after I installed an app. Now what?
It has been reported on one occasion where an iPhone stopped functioning after an app
was downloaded from
the App Store. This seems to be related to a possible transmission error over an
Internet connection and has been reported to Apple for review. If the app
does not work, delete the app from the device and download again from the App
Store. You will not be charged for an app that was downloaded before.
If the device is locked to the extend that it cannot be used, reboot the iPhone by pressing the front (Home) and top (Sleep/Wake) buttons at the same time (hold until you see the Apple Logo). Then delete the app and download again. No information is lost from your iPhone when this rare situation occurs. + Should I purchase a Tracking App after I lost my iPhone or iPad/iPod touch?
No.
Tracking applications available on the App Store provide the ability to track device location by using the built-in hardware features of the
iPhone or iPad/iPod touch.
These Apps require to be installed on the device prior to loss or theft in order to function. + Can I have my iPod tracked with a USB connection to a PC or Mac?
No. USB-connected iPods with special start-up coding cannot be effectively
monitored because of the latest security updates to Mac and PC operating systems
which prevent programs or procedures from being 'auto run'.
For this reason, Device Tracking is not implemented. + How do I activate Device Tracking for my iPhone or iPad/iPod touch?
When installing a tracking program from the Apple
App Store on the iPhone or
iPad/iPod touch, tracking is either activated directly from the device or
from the iTrack website if the device is lost.
+ What are the Device Tracking configuration options?
Device tracking options are configured by the Member on the iTrack website in
the Device Info section for iPhone or iPad/iPod touch units.
Using a tracking application, tracking configuration and other features can also be activated directly from the device using your password protected access. Here is a list of typical setup options: 1. Enable/Disable Device Tracking 2. Select one or more tracking web applications 3. Exporting the tracking history as a CSV or KML file 4. Deleting the tracking history 5. Tracking device activity either on-going or only if the unit is declared as 'lost' 6. Tracking in stealth mode or with notification messages to device user 7. Sending alert messages to the Member contact email address each time the device is being used. 8. Configuring customized APNS Alerts. 9. Announcing the display of an alert with a simple sound or a recorded Voice Message. + Does the Device Tracking feature drain my iPhone or iPad/iPod touch battery?
The tracking functions are similar in battery consumption to any other application being used by an iPhone or iPad/iPod touch.
+ What can the Device Tracking information be used for?
Device tracking information contains the IP Address and the time when activity
was encountered as well as the location of the device as determined by the
built-in Location Services feature.
Using a commercial IP Address/Geolocation database, the iTrack website records the Internet Service Provider (ISP) who is managing the assignment of IP addresses to its customers. Also, the organization (customer) to which the IP address was assigned for the iPhone or iPad/iPod touch to connect to the Internet is listed. More information about the ISP is being provided through a link to the WHOIS system. With this information, Law Enforcement Agencies and/or technically knowledgeable individuals could be able to identify the actual location or company from which the device was used. + How much tracking data history is being kept?
The standard maximum number of tracking points available for a registered device using a paid app is 5.
Our free tracking app is limited to retain only the most recent tracking event and has many other functional restrictions. Tracking points are recorded in chronological order. If more than 5 activities need to be tracked, then the oldest points are deleted to make room for the most recent ones. A Member can download tracking points for off-line use and retention. Tracking Apps which have been developed for devices that run the Apple iOS 3.0 (or higher), allow the user to perform In App upgrades and purchase additional storage bundles to increase the tracking history and related Map Displays for a given device. Currently, the tracking history can be expanded up to a maximum of 50 tracking events per device. This limit can be increased by our System Administrator based on future member demands. + Is Location information being captured from my iPhone or iPad/iPod touch?
Yes, if a
tracking application was installed from the Apple App Store.
The application tracking features are only accessible to the user if the iPhone or iPad/iPod touch Home Screen has not been locked through Passcode protection. However, the Start-up Screen will always be displayed when the device is powered on. For this reason, each tracking app will generate a default Wallpaper ID image to be assigned as the Lock Screen. The Wallpaper ID displays sufficient contact information to a finder to return the device to the rightful owner via the iTrackMobile website. In addition, with our tracking apps developed for the latest iPhone iOS, customizable Alert Notifications are pushed to a lost device and display owner contact information to instruct the finder on how to return the unit. Alert Notifications are displayed and include a voice message to the finder, even if the device is Passcode protected. Please note that background tracking applications for the iPhone cannot be developed by third parties due to policy restrictions by Apple. + I lost my iPhone/iPad/iPod touch. Can I still activate the tracking feature?
Only if the tracking application was installed
on the device before it was lost.
If the tracking application was installed
on the lost device, then tracking can be initiated from
the Member Profile at iTrackMobile.com.
+ How many devices can be tracked per iTrack Member?
Device tracking can be configured for as many iPhone and iPad/iPod touch devices as have been
configured with the tracking application.
Configuration requires the physical availability of the device and an active Internet connection. There is no practical limit to the number of devices an iTrack Member can register. + How do I access Device Tracking information?
Accessing tracking information for a given iPhone or iPad/iPod touch requires iTrack Member login from either a PC, Mac,
iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch using an Internet connection.
+ Will device tracking still work after I restored my Device?
No. After an iPhone or iPad/iPod touch has been restored using iTunes, tracking
needs to be re-configured by re-installing the tracking application.
Restoring a device to factory settings does not remove any tracking or configuration data stored in your iTrack Member Profile of the Lost and Found Registry. + Will the Wallpaper ID image be deleted when I uninstall a tracking app?
No. When removing a tracking app, the associated Wallpaper ID displayed at device start-up
(Lock Screen) cannot be deleted automatically. This is a limitation of the iPhone
iOS.
To delete the iTrack Wallpaper ID of the device, go to Settings -->Wallpaper and select a replacement wallpaper image manually. + Does Device Tracking give me the exact location of whoever is using the device?
Using the tracking program, the location of the device is captured based on the
accuracy of the built-in Location
Services feature of the iPhone or iPad/iPod touch.
In addition, a general geographical location can be determined from the IP Address, at best to the level of a City. This location is generally related to the ISP or organization rather than from where the iPhone or iPad/iPod touch was used. |
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