Lion to Include iPhone-like Find My Mac Feature

[Wiley John Wright]

Find My iPhone has saved quite a few iDevices since it was introduced as part of Apple’s revamped MobileMe service back in June of 2009. Since then, authorities have actually apprehended quite a few would-be iPhone snatchers through the use of this ingenious service. Now it seems that the Mac is destined to get its own version of this service dubbed, Find My Mac. It is expected to be part of the next Mac OS X Lion update when it comes out later this summer.

Recently, there’s been some speculation as to whether or not the Find My Mac feature would actually make it into the final release of Lion. A bit of evidence has surfaced, however, with the discovery of a Find My Mac icon buried deep inside the Mac OS X 10.7 developer preview. This new icon is very nearly identical to the iOS version.

Another interesting feature that has surfaces is something called Find My Mac Messenger. Currently, there is no indication other than the title as to what this new feature exactly is. Presumably, it’s an instant messenger of some kind, designed to communicate with the owner of a lost device, in much the same way as the iOS version works today.

Until Apple releases Mac OS X Lion to the world this summer, we’ll just have to wait and see what new features make the cut. It’s more than likely that there are still a few surprises waiting in the wings. I look forward to being able to track my MacBook if I’m ever unlucky enough to lose it. Now I just hope no one is tracking me.

Source: 9to5 Mac

[Cer0]

Would be great for laptops. Wouldn't mind it on an Air once I get one lol.

[feidhlim1986]

A remote wipe for your mac would be useful but chances are someone who finds/steals your mac will be reinstalling the OS fairly soon. Especially if they can't crack your login password. The average thief isn't a security expert.

[thumper_net]

Remote wipe is ok but takes soo long , an iphone it took 5 hours

[TheJailbreakGenius]

Could be the stupidest feature I've ever heard of. How can you find out where it is if you no longer have a computer?

Say u have a different computer. U locate it, it's in NYC in Times Square, moving slowly North. What are u gonna do, assault everyone with a Macbook Air? Stalk someone until u figure out it's them?

[Silverado1987]

Could be the stupidest feature I've ever heard of. How can you find out where it is if you no longer have a computer?

Say u have a different computer. U locate it, it's in NYC in Times Square, moving slowly North. What are u gonna do, assault everyone with a Macbook Air? Stalk someone until u figure out it's them?

Call the police?

[rasputin007]

If I buy a phone, computer or laptop form somebody first thing I do is wipe it clean and reinstall a new firmware.
So, what happens to FMM then?

[x12_Carnage]

Could be the stupidest feature I've ever heard of. How can you find out where it is if you no longer have a computer?

Say u have a different computer. U locate it, it's in NYC in Times Square, moving slowly North. What are u gonna do, assault everyone with a Macbook Air? Stalk someone until u figure out it's them?

That sounds kinda creepy.kinda ironic too :P

[zoso10]

Oh man I definitely need this! I always somehow end up misplacing my 22" iMac and have to backtrack to find it....

[luketinsley]

Could be the stupidest feature I've ever heard of. How can you find out where it is if you no longer have a computer?

Say u have a different computer. U locate it, it's in NYC in Times Square, moving slowly North. What are u gonna do, assault everyone with a Macbook Air? Stalk someone until u figure out it's them?

All you do is get on here and talk about all the negatives to everything that is posted....why do you even have a profile? If you have a better alternative, then let's hear it.

[steve-z17]

There are plenty of dumb thieves out there!

[hammerhals]

check undercover. they started with this feature. ain't free though

[feidhlim1986]

There are plenty of dumb thieves out there!

Which is why they won't be able to get past a login password screen and will just boot a mac os x disc and clean install. And then you can't find your mac no more

[hammerhals]

Which is why they won't be able to get past a login password screen and will just boot a mac os x disc and clean install. And then you can't find your mac no more

firmware password and a dummy account, and the next thieve is yours.

[Cowboy]

I wonder if it will work on an imac lol

[alexevo]

can you put a BIOS password on a mac like you could with a PC? i know you can't wipe those passwords even with a fresh install of the OS.

this may not work all that well at second glance because just like with an iphone, if you disable the connection, the search grinds to a halt. plus thieves could easily wipe it and sell it.

[hammerhals]

can you put a BIOS password on a mac like you could with a PC? i know you can't wipe those passwords even with a fresh install of the OS.

this may not work all that well at second glance because just like with an iphone, if you disable the connection, the search grinds to a halt. plus thieves could easily wipe it and sell it.

thats what i say: firmware password.

[envious86]

I'd say a lit of thieves wouldn't be smart enough to steal install discs and stuff. I'm sure he would just get in take the mac and leave. And if I'm not mistaken you can't use somebody elses install disc because of the code. And I really doubt they would spend money to buy an install disc.

[feidhlim1986]

I'd say a lit of thieves wouldn't be smart enough to steal install discs and stuff. I'm sure he would just get in take the mac and leave. And if I'm not mistaken you can't use somebody elses install disc because of the code. And I really doubt they would spend money to buy an install disc.

You can use the $29 snow leopard disc for any mac (that supports snow leopard)
Or they could download and burn a pirate copy of the same.

Anywho without GPS you'll never FIND your mac. For example if I stole someones mac and went online at my house it would tell the owner their mac is 200 miles away where my ISP is than where it actually is.

[Rob2G]

Could be the stupidest feature I've ever heard of. How can you find out where it is if you no longer have a computer?

Say u have a different computer. U locate it, it's in NYC in Times Square, moving slowly North. What are u gonna do, assault everyone with a Macbook Air? Stalk someone until u figure out it's them?

WTF, your the dumbest genius I have ever seen. Apple can track your Mac for you and the police can as well.

Which is why they won't be able to get past a login password screen and will just boot a mac os x disc and clean install. And then you can't find your mac no more

Apple could always embed the track my Mac feature in to the EFI then no os install disk would be able to restore over it.

You can use the $29 snow leopard disc for any mac (that supports snow leopard)
Or they could download and burn a pirate copy of the same.

Anywho without GPS you'll never FIND your mac. For example if I stole someones mac and went online at my house it would tell the owner their mac is 200 miles away where my ISP is than where it actually is.

Thats cool Are you using a proxy?
I wonder if the find my Mac will send back pictures if your Mac has an iSight camera and if it will send back all the ISP info it can get.