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Once again, we see a lot of the same basic finder features in GadgetTrak.
It will try to locate your device via GPS, WiFi or cell tower triangulation, and will let you track multiple devices. It allows you to push a message to the phone as well. You can take photos with front or rear cameras, though this will be an in-app purchase. The data is sent via SSL, which means that the data is sent encrypted.
It tracks your device by GPS only, and it gives you the option of receiving location notifications via SMS, by voice call or email. Phone Trace does allow you to send commands to the phone, which some might consider worth the higher price. It also allows you to set a few different conditions for sending you a notification, including changing the SIM card.
Some finder apps will try to justify their price tag by adding functionality that is useful outside of simply locating a lost phone. One popular solution to this is to provide tracking functionality, which could be used to track your morning run, or to make sure your kid arrives safely at school.
It has a couple of particularly unique tracking features, such as geo-fencing functionality, which will send you notifications when the phone goes outside a set area. And it can be set to send you an alert when the phone arrives at a particular location.
It will also send you Yelp alerts for nearby stores or restaurants when you arrive at a set location. As for its finder capabilities, iHound will try to locate your device via GPS, WiFi or cell tower triangulation, and it will let you track multiple devices. It can be set to send you notices on other conditions, such as a significant location change, or before the phone is powered off. Given that GPSTracker is currently a free app with a requested donation, this is a remarkably full-featured product.
Like iHound, it allows you to set up geo-fencing boundaries to notify when a phone has been taken beyond those limits. GPSTracker also allows you to password protect the phone remotely. It does have a very cool feature that none of the other reviewed apps have, which is a panic button that allows you to initiate a phone or VOIP call to a designated number, or send a notification in case of emergency.
Lookout is an interesting hybrid of finder app and security product. Instead, we've seen multiple attempts with products like Hangouts, Allo, and Voice -- all to be abandoned, shuttered, or ignored for far too long. So, at the end of the day, you're left with reliable and feature-lacking SMS messaging.
In its defense, Google has taken the initiative to push for standardizing RCS messaging across carriers and its hardware partners. RCS stands for Rich Communications Services and adds features like read receipts, typing indicators, high-resolution images, and similar features to what you'd find in Facebook Messenger or iMessage. Even still, RCS messaging is very much fragmented, and it's going to take a while for every carrier to adopt the standard.
When you combine all of Google's services with Google's hardware and its frequently updated software, recreating the same type of ecosystem that Apple claims is only possible with Apple is, indeed, possible outside of Apple. Admittedly, there are some nuances and caveats -- namely, Galaxy Buds and messaging -- but overall, Google's ecosystem is a capable one.
What do you think? Did I miss something? Did I leave a product or service off the list? Let me know in the comments below.
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Matt D'Angelo is a staff writer covering small business for Business. After graduating from James Madison University with a degree in journalism, Matt gained experience as a copy editor and writer for newspapers and various online publications. In addition to his writing and reporting, Matt edits articles.