Apple’s latest iOS 4.2 has given the iPad a new lease of life, finally making it a multi-tasking tablet, the iPhone also got a few updates with the most interesting being the free inclusion of ‘find my iPhone’.
The feature, once enabled, helps users find, add a password, wipe data and if necessary disable their iPhone 4, 4G iPod touch or iPad (running iOS 4.2) remotely using the in-built GPS – Previously this feature was only available through MobileMe, which costs £59.99 ($99.99) per year.
Another neat feature is the ability to remotely tell your device to give a visual and audible alert for two minutes, ideal if you’re the kind of person who regularly puts their phone down around the house.
How to do it
1. First of all you must have the latest iOS 4.2 installed on your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch.
2. Next go to the settings àMailàContactsàCalendars. In here select the add account option and hit MobileMe.
3. If you are a MobileMe subscriber enter your login details, if not enter (or sign up) your free Apple account username/email and password.
4. Verify your MobileMe account via the email sent to your registered email account.
5. Re-visit the MobileMe account in your iPhone’s settings, sign in and then slide the button for ‘Find my iPhone’ to ON. You can then sign in to me.com with your Apple account/MobileMe account to use the above features.
Why have Apple done this?
The decision to make this feature free is possibly to entice users to upgrade to full MobileMe or more likely a move to bring services inline with other mobile providers, in particular Android which already has a few features that iOS doesn’t have. Android market place also includes a number of free Android apps that can accurately track lost phones.
The addition of ‘find my iPhone’ has been received with open arms in the Apple community with device owners happy that they are receiving it for ‘free’.
[nggallery id=11]
What do you think of the free ‘find my iPhone’ feature?
This is nice but very stupid that we have to pay 100 dollars/year. Why don't we buy an iphone warranty only 69 dollars?
Apple do not need this to get people to subscribe to mobileme, it is more of a case of an additional feature to make the iPhone more attractive to prospective buyers.
The acceptance of mobile by myself was accidental and was only ever intended to be on trial period at most. Please advise of how this program can be terminated
Don't know about termination, but the price is really high!) I think I'll wait till it become cheaper, or get the alternative gadget and more available soft. Korean Samsung has an alternative to iPad. But tastes differ, that's for sure. And fasion is important too.