I have just installed Smrt Guard (smrtguard.com) on my BB and I have a few questions about this and tracking software for smartphones in general:

- Do these programs still work if the SIM card is removed? What about when the phone is switched off?

- How reliable is the location system I just did a test with the above on their website and it was off by a good few sois! Why is that?

- Which program is deemed to be the best?

- Any other tips or advice about setting them up and using them?

it won't work if the power is off

usually a reset to orig defat will remove it

A bit macabre but there was a recent murder of a expat in Hua Hin and the perpatrator stole the expats phone.

I heard that although the muderer had removed the sim the police were able to pinpoint his location from the phone,the guy was in Ayuttaya [sp] when he was arrested.

I heard that although the muderer had removed the sim the police were able to pinpoint his location from the phone,the guy was in Ayuttaya [sp] when he was arrested.

The police tracked him through the device's IMEI number.

The International Mobile Equipment Identity or IMEI (pronounced /aɪˈmiː/) is a number, usually unique,^[1][2] to identify GSM, WCDMA, and iDEN mobile phones, as well as some satellite phones. It is usually found printed inside the battery compartment of the phone. It can also be displayed on the screen of the phone by entering *#06# into the keypad on most phones.

The IMEI number is used by the GSM network to identify valid devices and therefore can be used for stopping a stolen phone from accessing the network in that country. For example, if a mobile phone is stolen, the owner can call his or her network provider and instruct them to "ban" the phone using its IMEI number. This renders the phone useless in that country, whether or not the phone's SIM is changed. However, the phone can be used abroad.

Unlike the Electronic Serial Number or MEID of CDMA and other wireless networks, the IMEI is only used for identifying the device, and has no permanent or semi-permanent relation to the subscriber. Instead, the subscriber is identified by transmission of an IMSI number, which is stored on a SIM card that can (in theory) be transferred to any handset. However, many network and security features are enabled by knowing the current device being used by a subscriber.

http://en.wikipedia....ipment_Identity