GadgetTrak
Developer(s)GadgetTrak Inc.
Initial releaseFebruary 24, 2007 (2007-02-24)
Written inObjective-C, C++, Java, .NET, Linux
Operating systemWindows, OS X, Android, iOS
TypeLaptop & mobile tracking software
LicenseCommercial
Websitegadgettrak.com

Until 2019, GadgetTrak was a company based in Portland, Oregon, that developed theft recovery and data protection software.[1][2][3] The company was founded in February 2007 by Ken Westin[4] with the launch of the first theft recovery product for USB mass storage devices, tracking stolen devices including iPods, flash drives, digital cameras and other devices when connected to a computer.[5][6][7] The company was issued a patent for the technology on February 24, 2009.[8] GadgetTrak's technology was featured during a special segment by Dateline on iPod theft where they tracked stolen iPods and confronted the thieves.[9] A customized version of the technology was embedded in FLIR thermal imaging cameras as part of an exclusive licensing agreement under the name ThermaTrak[10] utilized for both theft recovery as well as export controls.

Patents

The company was issued two patents for its technologies:

Patent No. 9,083,624 applies to the process of tracking lost or stolen computing devices by the use of Wi-Fi and/or GPS and/or cellular triangulation.

Patent No. 7,496,201 applies to the process of tracking and recovering devices such as iPods, flash drives, and digital cameras.

Mobile software

Windows and Blackberry – In October 2008,[11] the company launched its GadgetTrak Mobile Security app for Blackberry and Windows mobile devices.

iOS – On November 4, 2008, the company launched its first mobile security software app for iOS devices.

Android – At CES 2012, the company launched a version of GadgetTrak Mobile Security for Android devices.[12] Along with the Android release, other upgrades were added, including a web-based control panel to activate tracking, remotely wipe data from the device, encrypt and backup data as well as an enterprise group management console.

Just after launch, the application was put to test by a chain of Sprint stores that installed the software on their demo units. One store in Tigard, Oregon had several devices stolen. With the help of the GadgetTrak Mobile Security app, they were able to recover the devices and apprehend the thieves.[13]

Laptop software

Mac Laptops – On November 12, 2008, the company launched the Mac laptop version of its software that utilizes the web camera to capture a photo of a thief, as well as the utilization of Wi-Fi positioning to provide location within 10–20 meters.[14] Shortly after the product launch, there were a number of stolen laptop recoveries using the software, the first being in Brooklyn, New York where a stolen iMac was tracked to a tattoo parlor where police recovered the stolen computer along with other stolen property.[15]

Windows Laptops – In April 2009, the company launched a Windows version of their laptop software further expanding their product offering.[16]

Highlighted recoveries

GadgetTrak claimed many "firsts" with regards to devices that have been recovered and methods used.

  • June 2007 (Newmarket, ON) First known recovery of a stolen iPod ever using tracking technology[17]
  • February 2008 (Dallas, TX) First known recovery of a stolen USB flash drive using tracking technology[18]
  • November 2008 (Anchorage, AK) First known recovery of a stolen cell phone using tracking technology[19]
  • June 2009 (Edmund, OK) First recovery of a stolen phone recovered even after SIM card removed[20]
  • August 2009 (Brooklyn, NY) First recovery of a stolen computer utilizing Wi-Fi positioning and web camera hardware[21][22]
  • September 2009 (Oakland, CA) A business was broken into and multiple laptops stolen, one had GadgetTrak installed that led police to a house where multiple stolen laptops were discovered as well as methamphetamine[23]
  • November 2009 (Portland, OR – Missouri) GadgetTrak tracked a stolen laptop from Portland, OR to Missouri unveiling an organized theft ring that was fencing stolen property between the two states to avoid detection[24][25]
  • January 2010 (Springfield, OR) GadgetTrak software leads police to burglary suspect recovering a stolen laptop and family jewelry[26]
  • February 2010 (Portland, OR) After a series of repeated break-ins and computer thefts in Portland area schools, one school district install GadgetTrak on several "bait" devices, within a week the school was robbed again luckily including the laptops that had the software on them. GadgetTrak and police tracked a stolen laptop to Vancouver, WA and ended up arresting 6 people involved in the theft ring.[27][28]
  • January 2011 (Moraga, CA) Laptop stolen from a St. Mary's College student recovered by police after several weeks of tracking reports from GadgetTrak[29][30][31]
  • February 2011 (Portland, OR) A laptop stolen from a home during New Year's Eve was recovered after photos, location data provided police with the general area and IP address confirmed exact address and identity of person in possession of the stolen laptop[32]

References

  1. ↑ "Business Entity Data". Oregon Secretary of State Corporate Division. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
  2. ↑ "About Company". GadgetTrak. Archived from the original on 6 August 2013. Retrieved 2 September 2013.
  3. ↑ David, Becker. "Anti-Theft Widget for iPods". Wired. Retrieved 2 September 2013.
  4. ↑ Bertoni, Steven. "Most Stolen Electronics". Forbes. Retrieved 2 September 2013.
  5. ↑ Sullivan, Bob. "iPod crime wave? Yes, and more". NBC News.
  6. ↑ Adam, Pash (2007-02-26). "Recover stolen gadgets with GadgetTheft". Life Hacker. Retrieved 2 September 2013.
  7. ↑ Darren, Murph. "GadgetTrak hunts down stolen gadgetry for free". Engadget. Retrieved 2 September 2013.
  8. ↑ US patent 7496201, Ken Westin, "Portable host-pluggable appliance tracking system", published 2009-02-24, issued 2009-02-24, assigned to WestinTech DBA GadgetTrak
  9. ↑ Hansen, Chris. "Dateline Takes On iPod Thieves". Dateline NBC. Retrieved 2 September 2013.
  10. ↑ "FLIR Systems Launches ThermaTrak(TM) 'Find' Service to Recover Lost, Stolen or Missing Infrared Cameras". Thomas Net. Retrieved 2 September 2013.
  11. ↑ "GadgetTrak Inc. Launches GadgetTrak® Mobile Security - The Most Advanced Anti-Theft and Data Protection for Smart Phones". PR Web. Retrieved 2 September 2013.
  12. ↑ France, Jasmine. "CES: GadgetTrak offers mobile theft protection". CNET. Retrieved 2 September 2013.
  13. ↑ Teachout, Ed. "Tigard police used tracker on stolen cellphones". KGW News. Archived from the original on 2 September 2013. Retrieved 2 September 2013.
  14. ↑ Steven, Sande. "TUAW Review: MacTrak Theft Recovery Software". TUAW. Retrieved 2 September 2013.
  15. ↑ Charlie, Sorrel. "Tracking Software Rescues Stolen iMac after Two Weeks". Wired. Retrieved 2 September 2013.
  16. ↑ Rick, Turoczy. "Windows laptop and netbook owners can rest easier: GadgetTrak launches PC-Trak". Silicon Florist. Retrieved 2 September 2013.
  17. ↑ Westin, Ken. "iPod Theft Recovery – Newmarket Ontario". GadgetTrak. Archived from the original on 6 October 2013. Retrieved 2 September 2013.
  18. ↑ "Another GadgetTrak Recovery – Stolen 32GB Flash Drive Recovered". GadgetTrak. Archived from the original on 21 October 2013. Retrieved 2 September 2013.
  19. ↑ "GadgetTrak Mobile Security Catches Phone Thief". GadgetTrak. Archived from the original on 2013-10-21. Retrieved 2013-09-02.
  20. ↑ "GadgetTrak Recovers Stolen AT&T Tilt for Customer – Edmond Oklahoma". GadgetTrak. Archived from the original on 20 October 2013. Retrieved 2 September 2013.
  21. ↑ Nosowitz, Dan (7 August 2009). "GadgetTrak Security System Catches iMac Thief With Startling Precision". Gizmodo. Retrieved 2 September 2013.
  22. ↑ Deleon, Nicholas (6 August 2009). "Look, GadgetTrak caught an evil iMac thief in Brooklyn!". Techcrunch. Retrieved 2 September 2013.
  23. ↑ "GadgetTrak Cracks Theft Ring – Oakland, California". GadgetTrak. Archived from the original on 2013-10-06. Retrieved 2013-09-02.
  24. ↑ Goldman, Jeff. "ActiveTrak Targets the Enterprise". eSecurity Planet.
  25. ↑ "GadgetTrak Tracks & Recovers Stolen Macbook from Portland to Missouri". GadgetTrak. Archived from the original on 2013-10-07. Retrieved 2013-09-02.
  26. ↑ "Stealthy Laptop Software Catches Photos of Thieves". KEZI News. Archived from the original on 2013-10-20. Retrieved 2013-09-02.
  27. ↑ "GadgetTrak Unveils Theft Ring Targetting Portland Schools". GadgetTrak. Archived from the original on 2013-10-21. Retrieved 2013-09-02.
  28. ↑ "Gadget snaps photo of school laptop theft suspect". KGW News. Archived from the original on 2016-02-21.
  29. ↑ Bertolucci, Jeff. "Laptop Thieves Punk'd! Six Amazing Recovery Stories". PC World. Archived from the original on 2014-12-02. Retrieved 2013-09-02.
  30. ↑ Pool, Bob (15 August 2011). "Wireless technology may lead police to stolen camera". LA Times.
  31. ↑ "GadgetTrak Laptop Recovery – Richmond, CA". CBS 5 San Francisco. Archived from the original on 2017-05-11. Retrieved 2013-09-02.
  32. ↑ "GadgetTrak Laptop Recovery – Portland, Oregon". GadgetTrak. Archived from the original on 2017-05-11. Retrieved 2013-09-02.
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