A new phone security gadget, the iBeacon, has gone on sale in the UK, helping to keep phones hidden from view while alerting the owner to calls and texts.
Designed by the makers of the TomTom, iBeacon is a small beacon that clips onto the outside of a bag. The beacon then alerts users to incoming or missed calls and text messages via a speaker and LED system, whilst the phone remains securely inside the bag.
Invented by a husband and wife team who grew tired of playing voicemail tennis, the flashing LED alertings owners them to any calls or messages that are missed, rather than having to be distracted from what they are doing to dig into their bags and check their phone so frequently.
A report from the Metropolitan Police in January 2013 highlighted the growing problem of mobile phone theft, with over 300 being stolen every day in London alone.
“Having your personal possessions on show gives robbers a chance to make easy money,” says Det Ch Supt of the Metropolitan Police, Simon Letchford, “Being careful about when you display your valuables can help you avoid being targeted.”
Mobile phones have become an integral part of daily life and we all rely on them for calls that are too important to miss. However, the sizes of handsets have increased as more useful functionality has been added which, combined with significant concerns over health risks, has led to mobiles being commonly kept in bags rather than pockets.
The iBeacon is compatible with all mobile phones, tablets and notebooks and is available in a range of colours to match bags discreetly.
The iBeacon can currently be pre-ordered from www.ibeacon.co and the crowd funding site www.kickstarter.com priced £13.99
Watch a video ad for the iBeacon below:
