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andrei.barbuta

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jul 26, 2009
142
4
Romania
Today I dropped my iPhone without noticing when I came out of the car. After 10 min when I got back, thinking I left it inside the car and forgot I realized it was gone. So, I went home, logged into MobileMe and used Find my iPhone. On the map it appeared near a place that I wasn't so clearly someone found it. A friend then went to the place While I stayed home in contact with him, telling him where to go. In the end an old guy had it, and of course gave it back. Since his pants started ringing given my alarm message from mobile me there was no point denying it. :))

Anyway, that's my story, happened today in Romania in a small town called Tulcea which is at the beginning at the Danube Delta.

After this I also made some test that may interest you. This is what I discovered.
1. The location feature works without the SIM card inserted in the phone which is great. It also allows for alert messages so the phone rings.
2. It doesn't work when the phone is off, which is logical. BUT it would be nice if you couldn't turn the phone off with you have a passcode. Only after you unlock would be a better idea since a thief can just turn the phone off.
Of course this would pose a problem in other areas but it's worth considering. Also a remote power on of the iphone would be great. Maybe when the message alert is sent.
 
Today I dropped my iPhone without noticing when I came out of the car. After 10 min when I got back, thinking I left it inside the car and forgot I realized it was gone. So, I went home, logged into MobileMe and used Find my iPhone. On the map it appeared near a place that I wasn't so clearly someone found it. A friend then went to the place While I stayed home in contact with him, telling him where to go. In the end an old guy had it, and of course gave it back. Since his pants started ringing given my alarm message from mobile me there was no point denying it. :))

Anyway, that's my story, happened today in Romania in a small town called Tulcea which is at the beginning at the Danube Delta.

After this I also made some test that may interest you. This is what I discovered.
1. The location feature works without the SIM card inserted in the phone which is great. It also allows for alert messages so the phone rings.
2. It doesn't work when the phone is off, which is logical. BUT it would be nice if you couldn't turn the phone off with you have a passcode. Only after you unlock would be a better idea since a thief can just turn the phone off.
Of course this would pose a problem in other areas but it's worth considering. Also a remote power on of the iphone would be great. Maybe when the message alert is sent.

Congrats dude!

And I agree with your suggestions.

BTW, how does the phone still send location data and messages if there is no SIM? Does it use some emergency line or Wi-Fi? How does that work?
 
Congrats dude!

And I agree with your suggestions.

BTW, how does the phone still send location data and messages if there is no SIM? Does it use some emergency line or Wi-Fi? How does that work?

Hmmm. I had Wi-Fi on. I just realized. Did another test just now. No SIM, no WI-FI. No go. Couldn't find it and couldn't send the message alert.
 
Great story. What I would like to see as a future feature for Find my iPhone is the ability to put the iPhone into a passive mode to preserve the battery. If you lost it outside somewhere, and you didn't immediately find it, when the battery died you'd be SOL. I'd like the ability to put it into a passive mode where it only sends out short bursts of information to the network, so that you would be able to find it without the risk of it dying at the end of the day.
 
Tulcea is that anywhere near to the dreadful Dracula's castle, if so be warned of his ghost! :eek:

Same country different region. :)

About the passive mode that a user wrote about, I think that it's a good idea. Another reason I can give is that if someone stole your iPhone and turned it off you can still track it.
 
you've got a good friend tehre - you stay safely at home while he goes out to hunt your phone.... and hopefully not get punched
 
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