According to the manual, when you remove the Palm device from the cradle there's a four-second delay before the alarm starts. This is to give you time to deactivate the alarm before it annoys your coworkers (again!). However, my experience was that this delay seldom worked. Usually, the alarm sounded within one second of removing the Palm device from the cradle. It would definitely be better if the delay actually lasted the full four seconds.

I also ran into a small problem with battery utilization. The first version of Cradle Robber I worked with (version 1.1) had a bug that caused my Palm Vx to turn on every 90 seconds if the up-button was pressed continuously. I use a leather wrap-around case, and when the case is closed, it puts pressure on the up button. This was causing my Palm device to turn on all the time and drain my battery very quickly. I contacted the author via email to discuss this problem, and he was quick to respond and provide a new version (version 1.2).

I tested the new version and found the Palm unit still turns on every 90 seconds if the up-button is pressed, but then it immediately turns back off. The problem I have with this solution is that it still has a noticeable effect on battery performance. When Cradle Robber is not running and my battery is fully charged, I can leave my Palm device off for several hours and still have a battery charge of 98-100% the next time I use it. However, when Cradle Robber is running and my Palm device's case is closed for several hours, the battery level may be reduced to 85-90% due to the device turning on and off every 90 seconds. This is not much, but over a weekend it can really add up.

Overall impression
First of all, let me say I don't believe I'm at a high risk of having my Palm Vx stolen, at least not at work. I work in a relatively secure facility where people have to "swipe" their ID badges to get anywhere. I'm probably more at risk of having something stolen from my desk after hours, but I never leave my Palm device at my desk overnight. Therefore, I wouldn't be inclined to invest in a product like this for myself.

However, the reality is that people do steal from each other. I'm sure there are many Palm device users to whom this product would appeal because their work environment is not nearly as secure as mine. I think the concept is sound, and the author has come up with an innovative approach to preventing a thief from absconding with your Palm device.

The alarm has a good volume and is annoying enough that people are bound to start looking for the source. I'm also quite certain the alarm would surprise a thief in much the same way a motion sensing light would startle someone trying to break into your house. I think, under these situations, a thief is likely to either drop the Palm device and leave quickly or to return the Palm device to its cradle in hopes of quieting the alarm. Either way, you win. From my point of view, this is an insurance plan for your Palm device. If you feel your Palm device is at risk of being stolen, the $9.95 cost of Cradle Robber is pretty cheap compared to the cost of replacement.

Chris Phillips is a Senior Project Manager for UMB Bank in Kansas City, MO.