For example, on my Windows laptop I have added another account that has no password to login. Then VNC, dynamic DNS updater, keylogger, and ssh software that start on login (and don't show up in the notification area). I have taken a page from that DefCon's guy's book after that my brother's laptop was stolen.

Do you have a lock on your phone? (pattern, face recognition etc.) It's nice against your friends/family to have something like this so they don't spy on your phone. However if a thief can't get in your phone he will find someone who can wipe it and then your phone is gone for good.

Have you used your normal Gmail address for the phone locator software? The problem I see is if eg. Lookout finds your phone and it sends you an email "hey your phone is found". Then that email will be shown on your stolen phone and the thief might see it and pull out the battery. I guess another option is (of course) to change Gmail password and recovery phone number as soon as you lose your phone...but what happens if he changes your password and all recovery options first? How would he do that? He has your phone and I bet you've also added your phone number as a recovery option.

I doubt many would do this but, it's crazy how much someone who has your phone can screw around with you. All your online accounts are most likely linked to your Gmail address. They can see which services you use by looking through your inbox. So s/he can reset all of them and enter. In the US, even your wallet can be linked to it!

The app SwitchMe is currently shown in this subreddit. Does anyone know if this could be useful?

I'm giving 2 heads up about the lock and email/recovery but, as the title says, I'm mostly interested what other people have done as I don't have much experience in this field at all.