Never Lost Again
But there will be no political talk today. Instead, I want to talk about a new feature in the recently released iPhone 3.0 OS software called "Find My iPhone". The feature is only available to Mobile Me users (like myself) and it is really slick. This one new feature alone almost makes the $99/year Mobile Me fee worth the price - but of coure you get a lot of other goodies for the $99 as well. Oh, and it's available for both Mac and Windows PC users as well.
Let's say you're out and about town running errands and taking care of business, only to get back home and maybe a few hours later realize that you cannot find your cell phone (in this case your iPhone). You begin a frantic search through your pockets, purse, car, any place you think you might have had it last, and then you realize that it is gone. You pick up a near by telephone and dial your cell phone number and keep your fingers crossed that you will hear the ring of your iPhone so you can audibly pin point it's exact location. Your heart sinks when you never hear the phone ring and you finally realize your phone is lost. Happens all the time and happens to the best of us.
Enter the new feature from Apple called "Find My iPhone". From any computer, Mac or PC, with an internet connection, go to the Mobile Me Site and log into your personal account with your user name and password. Go to the account settings tab, and click on the icon that says "Find My iPhone" and wait for about a minute or less while Apple scans with GPS and WiFi triangulation to find your phone. A street map appears on the screen and shows you the exact location of your phone. This works with all iPhones including the first version phones that did not have GPS functionality built into the phones. But it gets even better.
You can also send a remote message to your phone and have it play an audible alarm signal for 2 minutes. This alarm works even if the phone is turned off and the ringer has been turned off. As the phone beeps a message of your own choosing will be displayed on the screen so that if anyone finds the phone they will be able to read your message. You can give your name and a contact phone number whereby someone can contact you to make arrangements to return your phone. Your message can say anything you like. If you feel that no one is responding to your message and alarm signals on the phone, you also have the last ditch option to send a remote wipe to the phone and have all of it's data and information wiped out. This is perfect if you think someone may have latched on to your phone and are planning on using it to steal information or make unauthorized phone calls. It is always highly recommended that you set a password lock on your iPhone so that if your phone is lost or stolen that the thief cannot gain access to making phone calls or personal data without your four digit password to unlock the device. The Find My iPhone feature even works with the password lock activated.
This is an awesome feature for an awesome cell phone and provides that extra peace of mind that you still can maintain control of your phone even if you forget and leave it behind somewhere. If you're in the market for a cell phone, check out the iPhone and also consider a monthly subscription to Mobile Me to take advantage of the best insurance policy to protect your mobile investment.