Google copies Find my iPhone with new ‘Android Device Manager’

Google todayannounced on its Official Android Blogthat it’s launching a brand new tool called ‘Android Device Manager’ that will let users sily loe and remotely wipe misplaced or stolen devices. Anyone familiar with the Find My iPhone fture that has made available to iOS device users will alrdy be quite familiar with how the software works.Much like ’s service, Android Device Manager will let users loe their device on a Map in rl-time, as well as remotely wipe the device of all data if happens to get into the wrong hands. You’ll also be able to make your device ring at maximum volume if you happen to misplace it in a nrby loion.If you ended up dropping your phone between those couch cushions, Android Device Manager lets you quickly ring your phone at maximum volume so you can find it, even it’s been silenced. And in the event that your phone or tablet is out of rshot (say, at that restaurant you left it at last night), you can loe it on a map in rl timeGoogle’s announcement comes at a timewhen government officials are pressuring , Google, and other smartphone manufacturers to implement new theft deterrent ftures. While Google’s new tool would be one step in the right direction, it doesn’t appr to go beyond what has alrdy had in place since back in 2010.Recently, announced a new Lock fturethatrequires an ID and to rctivate a stolen phone after being remotely erased/wiped by the owner through the Find my iPhone fture. The login information will also now be required to turn off Find My iPhone. If a user’s device is stolen, wiping the device cln will essentially lve the thief with a device that is inoperable without the user’s ID and . It doesn’t appr that Google’s new tool includes a similar fture.Google said the new Android Device Manager service will available later this month for devices running Android 2.2 and up, and an Android app will also be available to help users manage their devices.