Question about Lookout Mobile Security

[dirkbonn]

I need some assistance.  In the discription section regarding Lookout Mobile Security, it says that it can remotely turn on the GPS function on your phone if it's off, in order to use the remote locate feature in the app.  I have heard that this can sometimes work in Android version 2.1 and 2.2 but never in version 2.2.1.    Since most of us with Droid X's have Android version 2.2.1, I'm guessing this remote locate feature will not work unless we leave the GPS active on our phones at all times, thereby using significant battery power.

Now my question.... could some of you who have Lookout Mobile Security on your phones test this feature and post your findings on this thread?

I have tested Norton Mobile security on my phone and when GPS is turned on, the remote locate feature can locate my phone to within 2 meters at times. Sometimes slightly less accurate. i.e. 6 or 10 meters, but mostly 2 meters. But it cannot turn on GPS if it's off. (I have version 2.2.1)

Again, the accuracy of the remote locate feature on Lookout is not my main concern, although you can post your results.  I'm more interested in whether or not it can indeed turn on the GPS on your phone if it's off.

(I'm also going to post this in the Android App forum)

Thanks to any and all for your assistance,

[Cody21]

Doesn't seem to "LOCATE" my device if GPS is Turned Off, and does NOT automatically Turn on the GPS.  Running FROYO.

[dirkbonn]

  Hey, thanks Cody,

Are you running FROYO 2.2 or 2.2.1?  

Also, did you have your phone outside when you tested?  When I tested mine it couldn't locate if my phone was inside my house.  I set it on my neighbors mailbox and then went back inside and sent the locate text from my wifes phone. In about 20 seconds I received a text on the wifes phone with long/lat coordinates and then a link to google maps that when clicked on brought up a map with a pointer where my phone was.

Thanks for your feedback, I appreciate it.

[Cody21]

I stand corrected. About 2 hours after I entered that last post I received a GMAIL that said Lookout "found" my phone. However it was 1,243 meters OFF ...  I noticed on my phone that GPS had been activated - presumably by LOOKOUT. I also think you're right -- the phone needds to be outdoors ... 

So, yes, it "finds" it, but not very accurately IMHO ...  How close were your coordinates on the mail box?

[BrianLookout]

Lookout will turn on the GPS if it is disabled but only for devices running Android 2.2 and below and, not sure why, 2,2,2.   Google has made some adjustments that have made remotely turning on GPS impossible with 2.3.3 and greater.  Pre-loaded apps can contnue to remotely enable GPS but market-loaded apps are disallowed on Android >=2.3.3.

So, there are a few things to add.  Your fix of 1,243 meters indicates it was a cell-tower fix not GPS.  Incidentally, how did you know GPS was enabled?  I don't know of any method to do that via the native device, unless you're checking the battery usage and it shows up there.

Also, Lookout can locate without GPS ever being used via cell towers and WiFi router locations.  Those methods provide much less accuracy than GPS does.  

Your phone don't need to be outside to get a good GPS fix but it does help especially because many office buildings have glazed glass and that makes it harder to get a GPS fix - even with clear line of sight to the sky.  Of course, an open window will get around that restriction but many office buildings don't allow for their windows to open.

One other thing, the email you receive from Lookout with the locate information is the first fix we get.  There are usually at least 3-5 more accurate fixes produced as the locate continues to run.  These can be viewed in your Lookout dashboard here - https://www.mylookout.com/missing_device

Thanks

Brian 

[gej1]

Ihave trail version on my DX and its got 2.2.1 and I turned off gps and told lookout to find phone and it did turn on gps .After i tested it I turned it back off.It does turn it on automatickly.

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dirkbonn wrote:

I need some assistance.  In the discription section regarding Lookout Mobile Security, it says that it can remotely turn on the GPS function on your phone if it's off, in order to use the remote locate feature in the app.  I have heard that this can sometimes work in Android version 2.1 and 2.2 but never in version 2.2.1.    Since most of us with Droid X's have Android version 2.2.1, I'm guessing this remote locate feature will not work unless we leave the GPS active on our phones at all times, thereby using significant battery power.

Now my question.... could some of you who have Lookout Mobile Security on your phones test this feature and post your findings on this thread?

I have tested Norton Mobile security on my phone and when GPS is turned on, the remote locate feature can locate my phone to within 2 meters at times. Sometimes slightly less accurate. i.e. 6 or 10 meters, but mostly 2 meters. But it cannot turn on GPS if it's off. (I have version 2.2.1)

Again, the accuracy of the remote locate feature on Lookout is not my main concern, although you can post your results.  I'm more interested in whether or not it can indeed turn on the GPS on your phone if it's off.

(I'm also going to post this in the Android App forum)

Thanks to any and all for your assistance,

---

[Cody21]

Yes, GPS was automatically turned ON at some point. The ony reason I knew this is I received an Alert for the email that came in from GMAIL with my "location found" email. It was nearly 2 hours after I had sent the locate request. I noticed on my Task bar at the top that the GPS icon was turned on. ..   running FROYO 2.2