Bluetooth to the rescue!
© 2013 BOB SKIDMORE ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
BOB SKIDMORE
CORRESPONDENT
If you own an iPhone or iPad you no doubt have installed the Find
My iPhone App. For the uninitiated, this app allows you to
track the location of your iPhone or iPad from any location using any computer
or another iPhone or iPad as long as you have an iCloud account. All you need
to know is the Apple ID and password of the missing device, have both units
connected via wi-fi, and have the missing device turned on. That’s great for
finding Apple products, but what about your keys, purse, attaché’ case,
backpack or Android phone? Here’s a neat solution that really works….
Cobra Electronics Corporation has introduced the BT 225 and 225uni, Bluetooth Tag
alarms. These devices use an App on your iPhone, iPad or Android smartphone to
assist you in locating lost items.
Here’s how it works. You download the free Cobra Tag App to your
smartphone/iPad. Since the tag is a Bluetooth device, you mate it to your
Bluetooth network on your phone or iPad. Once the connection is made your tag
has been activated. Turn on the tag by holding in its activation button for
several seconds until you see three blinks of the blue indicator light and hear
a beep. Now the tag is engaged and capable of tracking whatever you attach it
to. If the tag is separated by more than 30 feet, the typical range of
Bluetooth technology, your smartphone or iPad will sound a siren alarm alerting
you that you’ve forgotten something. In addition, it has the ability, while in
Bluetooth range, of sending you an email alerting you that a specific device
was left behind and gives you a link to Google maps with an indicator showing
the exact location.
If you simply misplaced the tagged item you can open the Cobra Tag App
and activate the siren alarm on the tag that’s attached to the missing item. If
you’ve misplaced your smartphone or iPad you can press the button on the tag
and the siren alarm will sound on either of those devices, perhaps a bit faster
than using the Find My iPhone App and more
effective since the iPhone App shows you a general GPS location, while the
Tag’s ear-piercing alarm pinpoints you to the exact location.
(TIP: Bluetooth has an
approximate range of 30 feet, so missing items need to be searched for within
that range. When you separate your smartphone or iPad more than the working
range of Bluetooth technology the loss of the Bluetooth signal causes the alarm
signal to be activated on your smartphone or iPad indicating you’ve left
something behind. )
Cobra has designed the Tag App to accommodate up to seven Tags. You
assign each Tag a specific name and icon such as keys, purse, laptop, etc., and
they are displayed and selectable on the App. The Tag itself will remain
charged for about seven days so they say, however, my tests indicate about two
to three days. It’s best to charge more frequently and avoid the Tag from
loosing the Bluetooth connection. If the connection is lost you’ll need to go
into the settings of your smartphone and follow the steps to reconnect. Now,
the trick is to remember to charge it since if you forget to, the Tag will not
operate. A mini/Std USB cable is included that plugs into a standard cube USB
charging device, not provided.
The Cobra Tag is an excellent solution to finding misplaced items. It
works well and has been a lifesaver for my wife many times. One use could equal
the price of the Tag not to mention avoiding the aggravation and stress
associated with loosing things.
MSRP: BT 225uni (iphone/iPad compatible) BT 225
(Android compatible) $79.99
Available at retail and on line.
GADGETEER’S
RATING: *****
Bob Skidmore is a freelance
writer, who may be contacted at bob.thegadgeteer.skidmore@gmail.com, or followed at twitter.com/bskidmore for the latest gadget industry news. He does not
represent, or endorse any of the products he reviews and his opinions are
solely his points of view and not those of the manufacturer. The manufacturer
generally supplies products at no cost for the articles and no other
compensation is received. THE GADGETEER is highly selective as to products he
feels worthy of review so as not to waste the reader’s time, thus the reason
for many superior ratings.
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