Tom Balev I recently brought you a video review of the iLocalis service, which allows you to track and secure your iPhone or iPad. Enough has already been said about the application, but we have not yet dealt with the settings. That is why this article will be dedicated to the settings of the iLocalis service.
Let's assume that you have created an account and the application is installed on your iDevice. I recommend changing the settings via a desktop web browser, especially if you don't know what each function is for.
After logging in to your account, open the Settings item. The entire settings are divided into 6 parts:
1. General (Main information)
2. Security settings (Protection settings)
3. Location services (Location tracking)
4. SMS remote commands (SMS control)
5. Google Latitude (sending location to Google Latitude)
6. Twitter updates (sending to Twitter)
We will deal with each of the mentioned parts in the following lines.
General
Device Name : This is just the name under which your device is registered. It is mostly the same as in iTunes.
Checking Rate : Here you need to realize how iLocalis works. iLocalis is not always connected to the Internet because that would not be good for your wallet or the device's battery. This box is used to set the time interval in which iLocalis will connect to your device. If you have a Premium account, I recommend choosing between PUSH and 15 min. PUSH has the advantage of instant connection when needed, but on the other hand, it can be turned off very easily in the settings and thus the functionality of iLocalis is basically impossible. If you choose power every 15 minutes, you won't spoil anything, it won't have a big impact on the battery, but you have to expect a longer response time to your commands.
iLocalis ID: a unique number that identifies your device and uses it to connect iLocalis to your device. This number cannot be changed anywhere, which is an advantage because, for example, even when changing the SIM card, the functionality of the application will not be limited.
New Password : Simply put, change your password.
Time Zone : Time zone. It serves to display the time correctly when viewing previous positions. Your device's time zone should be the same.
Security settings
Email address: Enter your e-mail address here in case you forget your password.
Alert Number : The phone number to which the SMS message will be sent and the position of your device in case the SIM card is changed. Always enter the phone number with the country code (e.g. +421...). However, I personally do not recommend you to enter any number yet, because there are problems in the current version and you will receive SMS messages even if the SIM card is not replaced. The app's developer has promised a fix, although he admits it may take some time.
Lock iLocalis uninstallation : Although I recommended you to delete the iLocalis icon from the desktop in the video review, as you surely know, there is a so-called "demon" in the core of the phone, thanks to which this application works. However, it can be deleted fairly easily from the Cydia installer. This setting can prevent it from being uninstalled and the team can avoid unnecessary problems. When you want to uninstall the application, you simply leave this box empty.
Enable PopUp Menu: This setting should bring up the settings window directly on your iPhone by clicking on the Status bar (at the top of the clock area). However, I have to say that I haven't been able to get this function up and running yet. It is quite possible that if you have SBSettings installed, this function will not work for you either.
Location services
Tracking status: Enable/Disable tracking of your location
Rate: It means how often your location will be tracked and sent to the server. The ideal setting is On request, which means that the location is updated only when you request it via the web interface. Other settings are very unfriendly to the battery. The Smart Tracking setting works in such a way that the location is updated only when the device is in motion.
Notify friends nearby : If you have any friends added to iLocalis, this function can ensure that they are notified as soon as you or they approach you within a certain distance (I think it's something like 500m)
SMS remote commands
SMS remote commands are a chapter by themselves. This is a function that will allow certain instructions to be carried out if an SMS message with a predefined text is sent to the device. This text should be unusual and only you should know it. If you set the given text too simple and frequently occurring, it would happen that after receiving any administration containing this "frequent" text, a certain instruction would be executed. For example, if you set the word "Hello", the given instruction will be activated for every delivered SMS message where the word "Hello" appears.
Callback command : After receiving the entered text as an SMS message, a silent call will be made to the number from which the message came. The call is really "quiet" and doesn't attract attention.
Locate command : The location of the device will be updated immediately.
Connect command : The device will immediately connect to the server and all required instructions will be executed.
Google Latitude
Google Latitude is a service provided by Google as a certain tracking of your device. This service also works on the iPhone using the Maps application. Personally, I used this service for a month, but it didn't have any great use for me, and if you already have a paid iLocalis account, I don't think you need Google Latitude.
Twitter updates
Simply put, it's about automatically sending your device's location update to Twitter as well. However, I do not recommend this because Twitter is a public network and this data could be used against you.
That was a complete overview of iLocalis settings. However, there is one more thing I have not mentioned so far. It's a button in the left sidebar – Panic Mode - iPhone stolen!. I personally haven't had to use this button yet, but it's basically a series of pre-set instructions that should protect your device as best as possible. These are eg – Screen lock, backup, complete wipe, location will start updating in real time, etc…
I think we have covered iLocalis in sufficient detail and I believe I have brought you closer to how and what such an application can be used for. If you have any questions, feel free to ask in the comments.
Great, so I can install iLocalis again. I didn't understand the setting, so it was eating up a lot of battery. That won't be a problem now, thanks.
I don't understand why Apple didn't do such things directly. It would always be great to know that I don't have to worry about such an expensive machine...