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if you don't have root, will it not auto start gps?

In otherwords, as a non root user (and i don't install as a system app) - if i lose or get my phone stolen while gps is off (or the person that steals it turns gps off) - will this app still work?

I'm an absolute layperson with this stuff, but I just gave it a try. My GPS was off, and I went to the website and logged in, then told it to pinpoint my phone. I watched the phone, and the app self started the GPS to lock in on me. From the computer, I had the option to disconnect the GPS, so it appears the app gives the account holder (who is logged into their site) to turn the GPS on and off remotely.
 
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I'm an absolute layperson with this stuff, but I just gave it a try. My GPS was off, and I went to the website and logged in, then told it to pinpoint my phone. I watched the phone, and the app self started the GPS to lock in on me. From the computer, I had the option to disconnect the GPS, so it appears the app gives the account holder (who is logged into their site) to turn the GPS on and off remotely.

I just did this with the GPS off and I couldn't see any option to turn the GPS on.
 
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I have it installed seems to work as advertised .
I also am testing lookout.

This is from their faq
Q: Will enabling GPS drain my battery?
A: Mobile Defense only uses your GPS when you initiate a remote connection via our website. If you see the GPS icon (little satellite dish with green animation) on at any other time it is being used by another application you have installed. Contrary to popular belief, enabling the GPS doesn't actually mean the GPS is consuming any power. GPS will not start looking for signals unless a GPS enabled application is running. This is drastically different from other things such as 3G, WiFi and Bluetooth. Those three constantly try to seek out signals, and thus consume battery power even when they are not used. If you are still concerned with the power consumption of GPS in standby mode, please refer to this interesting post where the GPS on the G1 is tested in various states: How to properly test active GPS power consumption - Android Forums
 
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