IAlertU by SlappingTurtle Software (MacBook and MacBook Pro)
IAlertU is a free, open-source theft alarm application for newer MacBooks and MacBook Pros (not compatible with iBooks or PowerBooks). IAlertU makes use of the MacBook’s built-in motion sensor and iSight camera for alarm triggering and image capture of the would-be thief. You can even use an Apple Remote to arm and disarm the alarm as you would with a car alarm.


How the App Performed:
Installation of iAlerU is a matter of simply clicking on the downloaded file, which immediately prompts you to set a password for the alarm. Once running, the app produces a small circular icon in the title bar at the top of the screen. Clicking on the icon reveals the “Preferences” and other options needed for setup and arming of the alarm.

When triggered, the application will cause the MacBook’s speakers (or plugged-in audio device) to emit a loud alarm noise. The app prevents the volume from being lowered or muted until the alarm is disarmed using the remote or the password is entered. Additionally, the application will take a picture of the thief as he or she trips the alarm. It will even e-mail the picture to you if a network connection is available.

The omission of built-in help may have been intentional, so that a thief would find it hard to disable the alarm quickly without doing research. A quick Google search revealed easy ways to disarm the application, but the alarm would most likely be audible for at least five to ten seconds before any thief could silence it.

I was impressed that the alarm could be heard by those nearby even with the alarm sound coming from my earbud headphones, which were plugged in.