Row.co.uk knows all too well how easy it is for people to lose their mobile phones. As one of the UK's leading gadget insurance companies, we've heard countless stories of how these expensive products can go missing, causing huge inconvenience and even nomophobia.

The idea for the product came in 2009 after Raj lost his travel bag, including his new Macbook and his passport, while connecting flights from Heathrow Airport. The duo then combined their engineering and business skills to develop a wireless tracking sesor, which they launched as 'Lupo' in 2014 after a successful Kickstarter campaign, raising almost £27,500.

Vincenz Klemt kindly agreed to speak directly to Row.co.uk about the TV experience and what is next for Xupo.

Row.co.uk: Dragons Den is a great platform to propel a business, but it's also known for taking large chunks of valuable equity. What made you decide to pitch on the show?
Vincenz (Xupo): We realised that the exposure we could get was phenomenal. Naturally we were aware of the risk of being grilled on the numbers or a dragon taking our product apart – not just figuratively. Above all, however, we went in the pursuit of smart money, a dragon investor with expertise and connections to take the product and the company to the next stage, somebody to join the board and with whom to grow the company.

Row.co.uk: You've just returned back from exhibiting at CES17 in Las Vegas. How was that and were you able to tell journalists and prospective buyers about Dragons Den or did you have to keep it a secret?
Vincenz (Xupo): We were invited to present at the media event Discover Blue by the Bluetooth SIG, the organisation behind Bluetooth, as the all-new and improved Bluetooth 5 was presented to the world. BT5 really is a game changer in the IoT and consumer electronics and with our product we try to be in both. Both at Discover Blue and later at CES we saw fantastic new developments across industries and segments and made new connections. The dimensions of CES are phenomenal and it was also inspiring to see how other technology start-ups, some in our market, have made progress. Naturally, what happens in the Den stays in the Den until the air date and we wouldn’t want to spoil the show for anybody, would we?

Row.co.uk: What are the major plans for Xupo in 2017?
Vincenz (Xupo): Xupo, evolved from the Lupo platform seen on Dragons’ Den, has a new chip set and allows for more cloud features than Lupo ever did. Xupo isn’t just a smarter key finder or item tracker, the idea is to unlock additional features through the app, using the Xupo as a button. This is almost going back to the original Lupo back in 2013, that had what we call “button as a service”, so there are more interesting things in the pipeline. We're also exhibiting at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, which will be great.

*The information in this blog is designed to provide helpful information on the subjects discussed. Please seek a professional for expert advice as we can not be held responsible for any damages or negative consequences upon following this information.

Dropped your smartphone accidentally and cracked the screen? This is something that has happened to almost all of us at some point or the other. Whether it was accidental or intentional, cracked screens look ugly and can even pose a danger to your fingers, lap, and face. This is because when a screen cracks, the crack spreads further, and tiny shards of glass keep falling.

Before you consider buying a new phone, there are certain things you can do to fix the problem. However as the very first step, ensure that your phone is backed up and all the data is stored in a secure location.

·      Call the Manufacturer

Of course this will be the first thing on your mind; it’s always a good idea to contact the company that made your smartphone. Almost all smartphones come with a warranty period, so if you crack your screen within the period, you can get your screen replaced for free. However, some companies do not cover accidental damage.

For example, Apple offers AppleCare which is valid if you buy the service within 60 days of purchasing a new iPhone. But they charge you for accidental damage. Nevertheless, they will either replace the screen or the entire phone, depending upon the extent of the damage.

·      Contact a Local Repair Shop

If you are uncomfortable sending your smartphone to the manufacturer, then you can search for local mobile phone repair shops in your area. They are much cheaper, but before you hire one, make sure that they provide some form of guarantee that their repair work will not break down too soon. Furthermore, there is a risk of such outlets utilising low quality components which can void the manufacturer’s warranty and insurance on your phone.

·      Check with a Phone Insurance Company

There are services which offer insurance for covering accidental damage to your phone such as Row.co.uk. From as low as £1.49 and up to a 20% discount, Row.co.uk covers accidental damage to your mobile phone which also includes a cracked screen.

·      Do-it-Yourself

If you have hands-on experience in repairing electronic devices, then this route will save you quite a bit of money. However, even the slightest hesitation or doubt can cause further damage to your smartphone. You will need to find a repair kit for replacing the screen on your smartphone. For example, a new Galaxy S6 screen costs around £7.59 on Amazon. You can find many tutorials on websites such as iFixIt on how to replace a cracked screen.

In some instances, your smartphone’s screen must not have developed large cracks. If the crack is smaller and the screen displays and works properly, then you can use a temporary solution. Take packaging tape and wrap it over the screen of your phone; this will prevent the crack from spreading and you can continue using it till you come across a better solution.

*The information in this blog is designed to provide helpful information on the subjects discussed. Please seek a professional for expert advice as we can not be held responsible for any damages or negative consequences upon following this information.