Hasta La Gadget!

Lately Apple is trying to throw itself down a recursive rabbit-hole. First there was Apple Store, the iPhone app to buy an iPhone. Now we get Find my iPhone, an iPhone app to let you find your lost iPhone.

The free download from the App store works on any iDevice and requires a MobileMe account. Essentially, it is the same service that you would use if you signed in to MobileMe on your desktop browser, allowing you to see the lost iPhone’s position on a map, send a message and alarm sound to the device, lock it, or remotely wipe all data if it is truly lost.

You’ll the Find my iPhone setting on any iPhone already, as well as having it connected to your MobileMe account, and you’ll also need to have the battery-sucking “push” setting switched on for the account. Push keeps a connection open with compatible accounts so things like email can be pushed to the iPhone as they arrive.

Does it work? Sure. And on the iPad it is especially nice-looking, with a big map to show you just where your lost phone is. But there is one huge problem. You have to enter your MobileMe password every single time you launch the app. If you have a proper, secure password that includes symbols and numbers, you’re going to have a fun time doing that on the iPhone’s keyboard.

Apple suggests that “if you lose your iPhone or iPad while on the go, simply install this free app on any other iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch to find it.” Sure, Apple. My MobileMe password is a huge, randomly generated chain of nonsense made for me by 1Password. Maybe I should change it to something easier to remember, like 1234?

As it stands, the idea is great, but the implementation is kind of hopeless. Avoid.

Find My iPhone [iTunes]

See Also:

• 'Apple Store' Application: Buy an iPhone with Your iPhone