Even More Annoying Phones

Used to be, if someone stole your cell phone you could call and plead, you could offer a little money, you might even raise your voice.

Why not have your phone scream for you?

Bruce Schneier, a tech security blogger, writes of Synchronica, a mobile device management company, which promises to lockdown its customer's phone, wipe the data then emit a blood-curdling cry to rattle the stealer.

Schneier calls this approach "benefit denial," something akin to those exploding dyes tags attached in stores to expensive clothing. (We admit we don't own any clothes like this.)

Of course, there's the good possibility that no one actually stole your phone. You just left it at lunch, and the person answering it has been hoping to find you.  In which case this will be just another advancement in bad cell phone behavior.