iCam app shows user's home being robbed in real time

by Steven Mostyn - Aug 26 2010, 11:44

Feature-rich mobile phones allow on-the-go users to do so much more than merely talk these days.

For example, they often come with an onboard media player, touch-screen interface, digital camera, web browser, GPS navigation… and the ability to remotely watch burglars rob your home while you’re away.

That’s exactly what happened to poor Vince Hunter of Dallas, Texas, last week while he and his wife were vacationing some 1,500 miles away in Connecticut.

While refuelling his car at a gas station, Mr. Hunter was alerted to movement within his home via the iCam security application he’d purchased and installed on his iPhone handset.

The iCam app, working in conjunction with a trio of webcams installed throughout the Hunter household, then proceeded to relay real-time images of the Dallas home being pilfered by opportunistic thieves.

Reacting quickly to the live footage, Mr. Hunter’s wife dialled 911 and informed emergency services of the burglary. A few minutes later the couple watched on hopefully as police officers entered the house in order to foil the robbers.

Unfortunately, the criminals had already fled the scene, supposedly scared off by an alarm on the property. The police are still investigating the incident and have not yet apprehended any suspects.

The Hunters had initially decided to install webcams around their house and connect them to the iCam application after having their home broken in to on a previous occasion.

The iCam application can be purchased from the App Store on iTunes for $4.99 USD.

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