iAlertU MacBook alarm software available in beta

We've been seeing posts and vids (and getting tips) on a program called iAlertU all week, but were a little skeptical of software that claims to use the tilt sensors and camera in your MacBook Pro for triggering an alarm if someone tries to snatch your lappie. Skeptical, that is, until a beta version of the application was released today,. While feedback so far indicates that the code is still pretty buggy, the program seems to actually work, with users generally pleased about the overall operation (for the five minute usage limitation of the beta, anyway). Developer Slapping Turtle says that once all the kinks are worked out, a non-time limited version will be available for $10, which seems like a good deal once key features are implemented -- most importantly, headphone jack and other overrides, because even the most dim-witted thief may somehow stumble upon the "force restart" key combo in mid-heist.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

[EJ @ Apr 9th 2006 5:20PM]

If I have a MacBook Pro, can't I unlock yours just by pointing my front row remote at it?

[griz @ Apr 9th 2006 5:21PM]

I haven't looked at the way the battery attaches to the MBP that closely, but what if the would-be thief just quickly unplugs it and removes the battery? That only leaves the watch battery inside to keep the clock up to date. Is there enough power in that to run the speakers? If not they'd have to install some alarm much akin to the electronic rape whistle things.

[Eric Domb @ Apr 9th 2006 5:33PM]

Good point Griz. But I think the designers had something different in mind. An alarm only works if there are people around to see what's going on, or for the owner to realize his MacBook (Pro) is being nabbed. This would be perfect for situations when you've just got to be away from your computer for a few moments. And unlike stuff like "The Club" (that thing for cars), this would work best if left unadvertised; that way the would-be thief wouldn't know to take out the battery.

[James Field @ Apr 9th 2006 5:46PM]

In order to remove the battery you would have to move the computer, which should set off the tilt sensors, and thus the alarm.

[tim @ Apr 9th 2006 5:54PM]

wow, now we'll have annoying laptop alarms to ignore along with car alarms. Bravo.

[Dolomite @ Apr 9th 2006 6:10PM]

AfterThought: no you weren't

[Alex @ Apr 9th 2006 7:20PM]

I don't want to sound like too much of a Microsoft fan boy, in fact I currently use a MacBook Pro and love Apple products. But, I feel obligated to point out that my previous computer, at Toshiba Tablet PC, came with this feature out of the box.

Alarms sounding based on input from the accelerometers is not all that fancy. Using the accelerometers to play marble madness by tilting your tablet around, now that is innovative.

[Mohammed Waseem @ Apr 9th 2006 7:21PM]

Sounds pretty smart. But like griz said - what if the batteries are removed? But, I guess this is when we leave the book open to grab a coffee in like 20 yards away, some place like the airport. Must be in handy, there.

[peazley @ Apr 9th 2006 7:21PM]

what if you brought your own macbook pro remote and just pressed the off button? or are the remotes linked to specific laptops? I would not think so since they are ir.

[brad @ Apr 9th 2006 7:46PM]

since the default setting on a mac is to go to sleep when closed, wouldnt you just have to shut the lid and put the thing to sleep? i would think this program would do something about that.

[Adam @ Apr 9th 2006 8:16PM]

Ummm... after I just dropped over a month's salary last week to finally get my MBP, I don't see any situation where I would leave it out of my sight.

[LB @ Apr 9th 2006 8:37PM]

what if you just push and hold the power button til it turns off?

[Eric @ Apr 9th 2006 8:38PM]

Com'on guys... dont over expected....

tell you what, you can sit there, use the MOUSE, click the APP icon on the MENU bar, SELECT QUIT...

no need to unplug the battery...

you can also press the volume down button on mbp for about 2 second, and the sound's gone...

afterall... the alert is really really unnoticeable due to the amount of sound it produce... mbp doesnt hv a loud speaka.

[maxj @ Apr 9th 2006 8:43PM]

@10, when i was at the apple store, I was controlling two MacBooks with one remote. could be isolated, i dont know any spcs, just lettin ya know it can happen

[Rus @ Apr 9th 2006 8:50PM]

they should make this part of salling clicker

[Justin @ Apr 9th 2006 9:00PM]

This seems designed for university libraries and coffee shops. For when you have to go to the printer to pick up a document, or go to the counter to get your coffee. For things like that this would work well. The thief would have to just walk by the laptop right after you got up, and grab it quickly and take off. He would not have time to remove the battery, turn the computer off, or carry around an Apple remote just hoping he would find a MacBook. The main problem I see with this is the likely hood of the would-be thief dropping the machine when the alarm went off.

[Larry @ Apr 9th 2006 9:52PM]

Here's an idea....don't leave your god damn laptops unattended.

[CajunLuke @ Apr 9th 2006 10:25PM]

#15: I was in my campus computer store, and I was controlling two iMacs, a mini, a MacBook Pro, and an iPod in the HiFi with one Apple Remote.

I know there is a way to lock it to one remote, one computer.

[diulei @ Apr 9th 2006 11:04PM]

#19: Seriously.

Why shell out 2grand+ just to leave it alone...

[AlteredCarbon @ Apr 9th 2006 11:47PM]

Wow! This is awesome! I downloaded it on my MacBook Pro and now I can't stop playing with it.

[jubilantjeremy @ Apr 10th 2006 12:08AM]

This blog ripped you off. They didn't even fix the formatting!

http://piccola.us/serendipity/index.php?/archives/1757-iAlertU-MacBook-alarm-software-available-in-beta.html

[Captain Obvious @ Apr 10th 2006 2:49AM]

If this works half as well as my car alarm I'll never lose another laptop again.
I wonder though, if I'm up front talking to the driver would the motion of the bus set it off?

[Jon Doe @ Apr 10th 2006 2:53AM]

It would be nice if people knew what the fuck they are talking about. YES remotes CAN be tied to one computer. By default though they aren�t.

Doesn�t negate the fact that Apple's speakers suck so badly that even a high pitched alarm is going to be hardly audible if you close the MBP�s screen.

[dexta @ Apr 10th 2006 3:08AM]

How-To-Pair-Your-Remote:

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=302545

[beppe @ Apr 10th 2006 2:48PM]

It exists also for PC.
It is called gravisense.
It can be downloaded for free from the ACER web site.
it is included in all the brand new products from acer.

bye
beppuz

[hifiDesign @ Apr 10th 2006 2:49PM]

LAME - Undercover makes better use of various features in order to bypass battery related issues. Even if they avoid one deterrant, there are failsafes.

http://orbicule.com/

[mwncimelyn @ Apr 13th 2006 2:53AM]

I had been experimenting with something very similar, but for my iBook. I noticed that iAlertU doesn't currently work for iBooks or Powerbooks so I tidied up my code, made a video and I have put it on my site along with the source.

If you're interested - http://yellowmonkey.mintdesigns.co.uk/2006/04/10/a-car-alarm-for-your-ibook/

[Wil @ Apr 14th 2006 10:03AM]

Thumbs way up for the guys effort and knowledge in creating a much needed device. I personally will be buying one or more the moment he gets it out there. Wish I had one the last time I left my laptop for what I thought was seconds. Big investment to lose. I could have turned around and caught the theif in the act....and so could campus security who was right there too.

The creator of iALERTu is a genius.

[JC @ May 25th 2006 8:41AM]

Note to self:

1) assume all MBP's will have this, remember to remove battery prior to stealing.

2) Watch Mac fanboy cry.

[Joel @ May 26th 2006 1:54AM]

wixp:

I stopped reading your screed as soon as you called OS X only "decently stable."

You are out of your mind if you think OS X is somehow less stable than Linux.

[qwert @ Jul 26th 2006 12:52PM]

"Note to self:

1) assume all MBP's will have this, remember to remove battery prior to stealing."

Note to JC:

How are you gonna remove the battery without moving the 'book and setting off the alarm? 'tard.

[Logan @ Oct 6th 2006 2:55PM]

Sweet jesus ill debunk you ALL.

Your computer can be paired to the apple remote you got with it (or any remote you buy therafeter) by doing so in the security settings. Each apple remote has a slight modulation int he carrier frequency of the IR beam so that if i pair my computer with MY remote, yours wont do a thing to it.

Removing the battery without shifting the computer would be impossible. I have a lightsaber program for my macbook pro that is sensitive to a single degree in any direction.

Mute button, power button, and mouse button can all be prevented by shutting off keybaord input, or making it so that any input on the keyboard or mouse button would cause the alarm to go off. Remember, this is a beta version people. That means things will be discovered, and they will be expanded upon. Hell, with enough time and some simple coding i could modify the program myself to where only a special key combo will turn it off.

Unless you know what the hell you're talking about when it comes to how the hardware works, shut the hell up

[scott @ Apr 4th 2008 9:26AM]

no, each remote is locked to its paired laptop