Review is based on:

BB 8320 Curve.
Platform: 2.5.0.36
App Ver: 4.2.2.180

Roblock Version 1.2

After seeing a posting about Roblock in the Sponsor Promotions thread http://www.blackberryforums.com/spon...-software.html I decided to contact Dex Mobile about the product.

I had been looking for a way to remote wipe my Curve in the event it was lost or stolen.

I was interested not only in a program that could wipe the data in the internal memory but also wipe the Media Card.

After a few emails to Dex Mobile they offered to send me a demo copy of version 1.2 which functions for 3 days prior to requiring purchase.

I should also clear up a version difference you will notice on Dex Mobiles website and post a on BlackBerry Forums states the current version is 1.1. which it is correct. Version 1.2 has been set aside for request only at this point and is not offered to the general public. To quote Dex Mobile support “In the current public version 1.1 of Roblock BlackBerry Theft Recovery, we have disabled the remote erase functionality as it was beyond the perception of less technical users.” I totally agree with this because if you do not know what you are doing you can accidently erase your data and media card.

The setup:

The install was a simple OTA installation that took less than a minute.
After Install you are given a red circle icon. Upon launching the program for the first time you are asked to set a password. This password is used to access and configure Roblock in the future and is also the password used to remote wipe the device.

After setting the password you are presented with a simple interface to configure the software.
Your first option is a check box to enable Roblock. After that a Recipient box to type in the phone number of someone you want notified if your BlackBerry is used with another SIM card. You can also choose a number on this same screen via a link to your address book. Next is a message box that has a default message in it to send to your selected recipient. There is a Send Contacts check box that if checked and the SIM card changed will send all of your contacts via secret SMS to the recipient you setup above.

The last option is the Save & Exit option at the bottom. Once making your changes and setting your configuration you must choose this option to activate the software.

Now that I have configured my software it is time to test.

The first test is what will happen when I insert a different SIM card into the phone. Immediately after the BlackBerry rebooted the recipient I designated got the following two SMS message about a SIM change in my phone.


Roblock message-
Hi, Troy's phone has been stolen or lost Please keep this message for later reference.
Do NOT contact this number.
RB+ password WIPE
(The above is a custom message I wrote and I added the Wipe instruction at the end of the message so I would always know the command.)


Roblock message-
Location Info:
NetworkId-608
CountryId-784
CellId-10773
BaseStationId-57
LocationId-32
RoutingAreaId-1
currentIMSI-310260.30.000000.3
(The second of the two messages includes basic network information as well as the SIM card number. I edited mine above for security reasons. As a result of these messages coming as SMS you also get the phone number of who is using your BlackBerry now)



My second test was to wipe my phone. I have to say I was extremely worried about running this test but I wanted to make sure it worked before I decided to purchase. To prepare for this test I first used Desktop Manager to Sync. I then ran a backup. In addition because this software also will wipe the media card I backed up the contents as well.

With a knot in my stomach I send an SMS to my BlackBerry with a message that simply said:
RB+ ********* WIPE

(The ******* represents my password)

I then noticed instantly the network activity indicator on my Cure going crazy and the phone was unresponsive to the trackball or application button.

The phone I sent the SMS from instantly began receiving my address book via SMS. It was very basic information which included about 6 contacts per SMS as just raw text but more than enough to get you in touch with someone and recreate your address book if you don’t sync or have a backup.

I also noticed almost immediately that my wallpaper had disappeared which would make sense because it was stored on the media card. Two minutes and 45 seconds later the phone I sent the wipe command from received an SMS that simply stated “Handheld Wipe Successful”

I then grabbed my Curve to verify the damage. I was very excited to see that my device was wiped clean and my media card was blank!

You can guess what I did next, I restored my backup and copied all the files back to my media card and was back using my Curve in about 15 minutes.



The bottom line:

Two flavors of the software exist at this point. Version 1.1 which would just alert you to your phone getting a new SIM card in it and allowing you to give that information to the authorities or attempting to contact the person yourself. Which in all honesty I don’t see as being very helpful overall. It may help you get the device back but to me I would also like the ability to destroy the data stored on it. Version 1.2 gives you the above plus allows you to wipe your data at anytime. Version 1.2 is going to be my choice to purchase. If I loose track of my phone at anytime I will simply send a wipe command and if I locate it I will just restore a backup. I am very good about backups.


Pros:

Simple Interface
Only $9.95
Piece of mind that you can wipe all of your data (Version 1.2)
Fast email support response

Cons:

You can easily exit the program without activating it and no warning is given which leaves you unprotected.

You can follow this link to Dex Mobiles website and product documentation:

Innovative Mobile Softwares For Business and Individuals - The D-Studio DexMobile


If you have any questions feel free to ask or PM me.


-Troy


Disclosure:
I have nothing to do with Dex Mobile. I simply asked them for a solution and they provided one. I was so happy to find this solution I wanted to write a review. The software they sent me was trial only and I like anyone else will have to purchase it.

Very nice review, Troy - thanks!

Wirelessly posted (8330 Sprint: BlackBerry8330/4.3.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/104)

Excellent Review Troy, thanks for the info and taking the time to do the write up. I will check it out.

well done on the review, and definately thank you for sharing the information.

This is very good info

I am a bit excited gives us non-BS users a way to wipe our devices.

Wonder if there is a way to perhaps render the device useless to the thief?

DexMobile is happy to announce a 50% discount on Roblock Theft Recovery for all Blackberry Forum members.
Forum members can now get Roblock Theft Recovery with Remote Wipe feature for just US $ 4.95 instead of US $ 9.95.
All you have to do is to enter the following promotional Code while purchasing Roblock from our product page.

Roblock Blackberry 1.2 Promotional Code: DMRBOFF5T

Roblock Blackberry Product Page: Innovative Mobile Softwares For Business and Individuals - The D-Studio DexMobile

This offer is valid only for a limited period. So hurry !

With the exception of the SD card, after 10 bad pass attempts the BB's memory self destructs right?

Would this not kill roblock? Would roblock text the person that you have as your friend after like 5 bad attempts?

If an experienced theft got a hold of this, they could immediately do a complete wipe using a computer and thus still keep the SD card info AND prevent them from having the new SIM number sent to the friend, completely thwarting the purpose of this? (Unless of course the wipe command was already sent to the phone I guess).

If the wipe command goes off, all software is gone right? How would it text the new persons SIM # after its been wiped, or does it not wipe the program, just databases/SD?

Would it be possible to also forward along the GPS coordinates for those that have integrated GPS capabilities?

But hey for the $5 promotion its not a bad idea and looks fairly well implemented given the requirements and device limitations.

U just bought this app and get the following error:

Uncaught exception: net.rim.device.api.system.UnsupportedOperationExce ption

Yeaaahhh...I'm getting the same error on my Sprint 8130.

Dear Customers,


We sorry to hear that you are having trouble in installing roblock on your phone, Although the application seems to working fine for the other customers - we will start looking into the issue and will get back to you at the earliest.

We regret the Inconvenience.


Thanks & Regards,
Dexmobile || Support Team.

I am running it on an 8320 OS .180 and have not had an issue. Maybe a 4.3 issue?

Wouldn't surprise me.... I've had other flaky things with this 4.3 OS.

In response to my own question, 10 bad pass attempts all your personal data is wiped, but apps stay, therefore the software would still be there and at least have the ability to submit the information and identify you based on your PIN (but does it w/ out log in info stored?)

Still this doesnt stop somebody from immediately moving the battery / sim card, then wipe the app when he gets home? Just seems like such a false sense of security. Then again I doubt any thief would know the software was on there especially if the screen was locked, and bother to do any precautions like that...

I do not have my BB password protected and my Roblock icon is hidden. The second I misplace my phone I wipe it.

Dex, Please let us know ASAP when you have a patch or fix. If there is not a fix please let us know what we need to do to get a refund.

Hello dsump,

We have already sent you a new version of Roblock compatible with your device ROM earlier today. Please check your email which you registered to DexMobile.

And for any 8130 users facing difficulty to initialize the application, kindly try our 8130 specific version available OTA at:

http://www.dexmobile.com/8130/roblockbb.jad

Regards
DexMobile

accidental double post

I got it, it was in the spam folder again. I had some trouble with the key and full field but figured it out. The app works and there is no error. Since I have a CDMA I know there is no SIM option, but when I set the recipients phone number which is the same from my contacts and then click verify nothing is sent out to my recipient. Is there supposed to be a test message sent out? Also when conducting a wipe, do I send a text to my phone and do I omit the <> signs around the password, and is there supposed to be spaces between RB+passwordwipe or RB+ password wipe?

Reading the description above I would assume you send a text message like

where asdf is your password.

Yeah I tried it and it doesn't work on my CDMA. Dex advised me they are looking into it.

Anybody else not get their CDKey right away? I purchased my copy a few hours ago and still haven't received it.

Did you ever get it?

I'm not a big fan of little companies, but seeing how Dex is actively working to fix everyone's problems and they respond to everyone, I think $5 is nothing to support their efforts. I'll pay their price if only to keep them engaged in continuing to improve my BB experience...heh, it's nothing different then buying them a pint on a Saturday night to say "thank you," so I just signed up, paid, and waiting for further instructions. CHEERS!

5 or 10 it is very much worth the cost just to know I can wipe the device if i need to

Yeah. Took almost a day and an email from me to them but I got it.

very nice info, thanks for sharing with us

what if the theif has already removed my sim card?
where do i send the message to for the wipe instruction?
is this also possible that when a new sim is inserted, it should ask for the password. upon few wrong entries, the data should get erased on the phone and the media card, if selected to do so during the setup of the software.

Recently i had a bad experience. My blackberry Pearl was snatched from my hand while i was walking talking on the street. the theives came from behind on a bike and snatched the instrument and fled. nothing i could do. but i could trace the phone just because of the IMEI No. i knew with the help of the Service provider.

I will be receiving the same from the legal authorities back after 2 days.
i am planning to make this wise investment on this software. will be worth the investment.

DEX: can u pls solve the above query???
Kiran Jain

Here is what I know about it. If my phone was stolen like that, the second it happened I would send the Wipe command from any available phone.

If they pop the SIM card out the second they steal it as soon as they put another one in you will get the preset message sent to the person you had setup and can then send the wipe command.

Special thanks to all BB forums Users / Moderators.

We were really happy with the support and feedback that we got here and we wanted to share it with you by giving a special offer exclusive to the members of BB forum alone. Thank you all for your interest in Roblock. The special 50% offer is now closed. We are delighted that all the BB Forum members benefited from this offer.

We will be back with more innovative products, offering exclusive discounts to BB forums soon.

Thanks again,
Regards
DexMobile

Thanks for this, bought it yesterday and installed version 1.2 on my CDMA 8830.

What are the instructions for if I want to SMS my phone and wipe it? (without getting a theft notification)

RB+ password WIPE

FYI

So I ran into some issues couple of days ago that I tried to access the Roblock Application to make a small change and I was having some problems. I emailed Dexmobile support group and their reponse was quick. They told me that Roblock Blackberry V 1.3 was being released on 04/09/08.

"Roblock Blackberry Version 1.3 with remote LOCK & ALARM feature and several
minor issue fixes are scheduled to be released on 9th of this month"

1.3 is released and is a free upgrade to 1.2 users. I just emailed them to find out how to get it.

Should I see Roblock running when I do a ALT-BACK to see all my apps? I don't have my 8310 passworded and I have Roblock hidden, but it doesn't appear to be running in the background...

You're right Shivers316, their website isn't very informative.

i just did an OTA of the new 1.3 version on my 8130 and it seems to be working fine....

Wirelessly posted

Here you go guys...

www.dexmobile.com/roblockbb.jad

Trying to put it onto a new 8830 CDMA and it is asking me to enable EDGE/GPRS to activate. I have a purchase code but its not recognising a data connection.

Got one response from Dex about this but it was simply to make sure APN settings were correct - something that can't be changed on CDMA devices. The program runs fine on my 8330 but won't allow me to register with my purchased code.

I will be posting a complete review of the new version 1.3 on Friday, April 18