Column: ‘I’ll never lose my phone again’

Misplacing your mobile phone isn’t a pleasant experience. After the realisation that your phone isn’t within easy reach, you frantically start pulling up sofa cushions, routing under the bed and hoping to god that the dog hasn’t eaten it.

That’s why, as someone who’s misplaced their phone more than once, I was excited to test Zomm - the “world’s first wireless leash for mobile phones” that aims to make phone loss a thing of the past.

What is Zomm?

Zomm is a palm-sized gadget that sounds an alarm and flashes whenever it’s taken too far away from your mobile phone.

The pair communicated using wireless Bluetooth technology, which meant the set-up process was extremely simple. I simply “paired” my iPhone 4 with Zomm in the same way that you pair a Bluetooth headset with your mobile phone.

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Zomm: The test

Several minutes after pairing my smartphone with Zomm I realised it was time for lunch.

Within seconds of walking out of the front door the small gadget was bleeping, vibrating and flashing. I’d left my smartphone on my desk.

Normally I wouldn’t be too happy about this, but Zomm had already proven that it works - “fantastic”, I thought.

Over the next few days I ‘purposely’ left my mobile phone behind in a variety of situations - at home, in the pub, in the toilets - and Zomm worked flawlessly, alerting me within seconds that I’d left my beloved smartphone behind.

If you’re the sort that would leave Zomm and your phone behind then, I’m sorry, but no gadget I know of can help. But at least Zomm comes with a handy belt clip and a key ring attachment to reduce the risk of you leaving home without it.

What else does Zomm do?

Zomm costs about £90 - a sum I wouldn’t be prepared to pay if the lost phone alert was its only feature. Thankfully, it isn’t:

1. The myZomm smartphone app

If you happen to misplace Zomm rather than your phone, you can use the myZomm app to locate the gadget from your phone.

The app also let me plot Zomm’s last known location on Google Maps directly from my smartphone.

2. Handsfree calls

Zomm notified me about incoming calls with vibration, light and audio alarms, allowing me to take calls by speaking into its microphone.

Since Zomm doesn’t fit around your ear like a traditional Bluetooth headset, taking calls can be slightly hit and miss. Sometimes I couldn’t hear callers and they couldn’t hear me, but it could be a viable alternative if you only make the occasional handsfree call.

3. Emergency assistance

Zomm will call a predefined number when you hold down its front button - very handy if you need to talk to, say, the police from a dangerous situation or alert the ambulance service in an emergency. The predefined number can be set via the myZomm app or by connecting it with your PC.

Zomm: The drawbacks

Zomm did exactly what it promised and I didn’t have any major gripes with the gadget. However, the device does have a few niggles:

• Battery - While the device’s battery life is extremely good - several days or more - I couldn’t tell how much power was left because it lacks a battery level gauge. You can check its remaining power from the smartphone app, however. It’s also worth noting that Zoom’s constant Bluetooth connection will drain your phone’s battery.
• Lights - Zomm’s various blue flashing lights mean different things - power on, pairing, incoming call, etc - and keeping track of what each one meant was fairly tricky.

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