Remote XT steals Synchronica's thunder

PR DISASTERS of our time. While Brit hacks were boarding a plane to a product launch at the Munich Oktoberfest, the Beeb was already running a story about the screaming mobile phone.

The technology behind the ability to make a handset scream once it has been stolen actually belongs to a company called Synchronica. Indeed the INQ reported as such as long ago as August 6th.

However, the Beeb and others were making a splash about screaming phones courtesy of another frim, Remote XT.

Putting a brave face on things, Hazel Short - a senior sales executive with Synchronica - told the INQ that her company was pleased by the publicity as it is a firm believer in the channel and doesn't sell direct. Hence, Synchronica relies on ASPs - such as Remote XT - to provide the facility to the general public.

It cannot be too happy about the situation, though, as many published reports used the phrase "The product - called Remote XT after the company that created it."

Remote XT itself was founded early in 2006 by Mark Whiteman, the former md with Caudwell Communications.

These events overshadowed the fact that remotely locking a mobile phone forms part of only one of Synchnronica's three product range.

The company is actually hoping to do battle with RIM's Blackberry thanks to a facility known as 'Push IMAP' which is being built into handsets supplied by Sony Ericsson as well as the Nokia N series.

With the Remote XT security package, subscribers are being charged £9.99 ($25) a month for the company to send a signal to the mobile phone once it is reported stolen.

As Synchronica CTO, Kim Hartlev, explained to the INQ, the software can be used to completely wipe all the data stored on the handset. It even overwrites the information to prevent tools from being able to restore the information.

Publicity glitches aside, the INQ would thoroughly recommend using the Ocktoberfest as a product launch pad. Who could possibly refuse to go? µ

See Also
Orange to offer screaming phones

L'INQ
Synchronica
Remote XT