ZOMM: a Bluetooth 'leash' for your mobile

If you've ever suffered frustration and rage after mislaying or losing your mobile phone, you may be interested in the ZOMM, a gadget that's designed to alert you should you be parted from your handset. Launched earlier this year in the US, picking up an award at CES, it's now available in the UK for £79.99 (inc. VAT).

The ZOMM is a coin-sized Bluetooth 2.1 gadget that can live on a keyring or a belt clip. Its primary function, once paired with your Bluetooth-equipped handset, is to sound an increasing level of alarm — vibrating, then flashing and beeping — as you move out of range (10-40m depending on the environment, although you can specify shorter distances if required).

That's not all though. The ZOMM also contains a speaker and a noise-cancelling microphone, and can act as a hands-free device. You can pick up an incoming call by pressing the central Z button once, or send it to voicemail with two presses. When you're in a call, one Z-press transfers the call to your mobile, while two presses hangs up.

Finally, the ZOMM can be used as a personal alarm. Press the Z button for 9 seconds and a loud siren-like noise erupts; press for a further few seconds and your mobile automatically calls the emergency services. You can customise the emergency number, and other features such as the 'leash length' via the supplied software when you connect your ZOMM to a PC or Mac via the supplied USB cable. The ZOMM's battery is rated to last for 3 days, and a USB-connected AC adapter is provided.

We rather like this gadget, which is pretty straightforward to use. The sound quality from the speaker isn't great, but it's passable. We also managed to set off the panic alarm by mistake while sitting down with the keys in a trouser pocket. Fortunately we turned it off before the emergency services arrived.