Man watches his home being burglarized via his iPhone
The AP is reporting the story of a Dallas man who went out of town to visit relatives 1400 miles away in Hartford, Conn. While he was there, he got an alert from his iCam app, which was running on his iPhone, that motion had been detected in his house. It turned out to be two intruders that were trying to get in; they eventually threw a brick through a glass door to gain access.He called 911, and the next motion alert he received was the arrival of police officers with guns drawn. It isn't clear from the story if the burglars got away with any loot, but iCam certainly did work, and it relayed the important message to the owner of the house.
We've reviewed iCam before. I use it to keep an eye on the house and pets when I'm away, and for the cost of US $4.99 (plus the money for a couple of webcams), it really is a great low-cost security system. The software can be set to take a rapid series of still photos when motion is detected, so the police should get some shots of the burglars, which will help make a case when and if they nab them.
[via the Dallas Morning News]
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The AP is reporting the story of a Dallas man who went out of town to visit relatives 1400 miles away in Hartford, Conn. While he was...
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I love iCam. Every time I go out of town, I set up all my computers' webcams so I can see all over the house. I even have the images auto-saved to my dropbox account so that if someone got in and stole everything (like the Mac I'm using to power the cameras), I would still have a record of the thives on the dropbox. :)
August 25 2010 at 1:42 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyThe headline should probably read, "Man watches via his iPhone as his home is burglarized."
August 25 2010 at 11:26 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply"burglarized"? Hehe, you Yanks are so funny ;-)
August 25 2010 at 3:55 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyIs the word 'burgled' really so foreign?
Did they eventually catch the burglarizer?
Lmao @ chrism - that's exactly what I came into the comments to say. I mean "burglarized"? Really? How is it that it's more convenient to say burglarized than burgled?
August 25 2010 at 3:39 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyNot to be picky, but the title is wrong. People, and businesses or homes with people in them, get robbed. Unoccupied homes or businesses get burglarized. The elements of the two crimes are completely different.
August 24 2010 at 9:21 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyInteresting point, did not know that. Title changed.
August 24 2010 at 9:30 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyJoanna - yes it has, but for $4.99? I have been using iCam since it was released and it's great for what it does. Kudos to the developer!
August 24 2010 at 7:43 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyOn an Apple based website?
Yes.
Why would you leave leave £500/$500 phone at home rather than take it with you leaving you without your phone. Surely it would be better to get a proper CCTV camera which would cost a fraction and produce vastly superior pictures.
I can see a novelty factor but why leave a phone at home?
I'm making a modified version of the iCam app (codenamed iSecurePro) that is connected to my ADT Security system. Not only I will get a notification from the app, but because it is connected to the security system, I will also get a call from ADT, in case if I miss the notification from the app.
The app also interacts with the security sensors as well, so it will notify any emergency, such as fire, burglary, etc. I'm hoping to get the patent for the app, and also start my own security company. (and yes, this system will be exclusive to iPhone/iPad, and will require Mac. No plans for PC version)
Good plan, but there are several apps out there like this already; On my android devices I have been using DSC alarm monitor for about to 2 years (there is an IP expansion module that connects directly into the DSC alarm panel).
There is also a free 'ADT Pulse' app in the iTunes market (released by ADT) that does most of the things you mentioned- plus allows control of lights & thermostats- with no PC/Mac required.
Here is a link to the TV report and video: http://www.wfaa.com/news/iPhone-app-thwarts-burglary-for-out-of-town-couple-101350129.html
August 24 2010 at 6:01 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyHot Apps on TUAW
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