As the two pilgrims tiptoed back into the room designated as our office space, Mohammed's mobile phone alarm started off a shrill tune.

CNN: Preparing to cover The Hajj

Jayne McCubbin, BBC correspondent at the scene, said the family tried to raise the alarm but "there is no mobile phone signal in this area".

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One survey does not a trend make, but a recent poll by mobile customer research firm On Device should raise the alarm in Cupertino.

FORBES: Move up http://i.forbesimg.com t Move down

Google's Joe Britt showed an alarm clock that can be set, using a mobile application, to turn on lights and music in the bedroom at a specified time.

CNN: Motorola deal boosts Google's move into home automation

The alarm was raised when the men managed to call 999 from a mobile phone.

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While the leader of the mobile-monitoring pack has been Nextel with their Mobile Locator, recently the mobile tracking firm Xora has released services like "geofences" which sets off an alarm when the employee goes to a previously no-no designated area (we bet 80% of these are bars).

ENGADGET: Micro-management with GPS/cellphone

Reaffirming Verizon Wireless' commitment to robust security, Verizon Mobile Security helps customers protect their devices from digital threats and equips customers with the power to remotely locate, alarm, lock and even wipe data from a misplaced or lost device.

ENGADGET: Verizon intros Mobile Security app for Android, wants to keep you safe