Google to launch Android Device Manager to help find lost phones

Google has been busy this week introducing its new Moto X smartphone via its Motorola subsidiary, but today the company announced plans to offer a new way to find any lost smartphone with Android 2.2 and above with its own Android Device Manager.

As announced on the official Android blog, the Device Manager will be available when a user is signed onto his or her Google Account. If phone is lost, activating the Device Manger will cause any Android device to ring at its loudest volume, even if the smartphone has been set to silent mode. If the smartphone is out of the range of its owner's ears, he or she can still attempt to find the phone via Google Maps in real time, such as in the screenshot above.

If the smartphone has in fact been stolen, or is completely out of reach forever, Android Device Manager will also allow the owner to erase all data from the device remotely. This new service will also come with its own Android app so that smartphone owners can manage all of their Android-based devices.

Google has also posted another blog entry which offers some common sense tips to protect their smartphone, including placing a password lock on their device screen and scanning an Android app that comes from an unknown source.

Source: Google | Image via Google