Apple launches Find My Mac tool for iCloud.com beta
Apple has activated the new Find My Mac tool for developers with early access to Apple's iCloud service, allowing users to locate, lock and even wipe a lost Mac computer.
The new tool closely resembles the Find My iPhone service, despite the fact that Macs lack GPS, MacRumors reports. People familiar with the matter note that the service appears to use Wi-Fi networks to determine a Mac's location.
Find My Mac first appeared in developer previews of Mac OS X Lion. In May, it was discovered that the feature contained evidence that Apple was planning to migrate MobileMe accounts over to the new iCloud service, codenamed "Castle."
Upon locating a Mac, users can use the tool to play a sound, send a message, lock the screen and erase the hard drive. The service is expected to release to the public this fall along with iCloud.
After a Mac is locked by Find My Mac, a user will need to input a four digit PIN code to regain access to the device.
Apple announced iCloud in June at the Worldwide Developers Conference. The free service will include revamped versions of most of the MobileMe features; allow re-downloads of purchased iOS apps, books and music; and provide backup storage.
On Monday, Apple activated the login page for iCloud.com, though not all users have been able to successfully login.
AppleInsider discovered a posting to the Apple job board on Tuesday that suggests the company is looking to build out iCloud-based web apps for its iWork productivity suite. The existing iWork.com web services are currently in the process of being folded into the iCloud.com site.
The new tool closely resembles the Find My iPhone service, despite the fact that Macs lack GPS, MacRumors reports. People familiar with the matter note that the service appears to use Wi-Fi networks to determine a Mac's location.
Find My Mac first appeared in developer previews of Mac OS X Lion. In May, it was discovered that the feature contained evidence that Apple was planning to migrate MobileMe accounts over to the new iCloud service, codenamed "Castle."
Upon locating a Mac, users can use the tool to play a sound, send a message, lock the screen and erase the hard drive. The service is expected to release to the public this fall along with iCloud.
After a Mac is locked by Find My Mac, a user will need to input a four digit PIN code to regain access to the device.
Apple announced iCloud in June at the Worldwide Developers Conference. The free service will include revamped versions of most of the MobileMe features; allow re-downloads of purchased iOS apps, books and music; and provide backup storage.
On Monday, Apple activated the login page for iCloud.com, though not all users have been able to successfully login.
AppleInsider discovered a posting to the Apple job board on Tuesday that suggests the company is looking to build out iCloud-based web apps for its iWork productivity suite. The existing iWork.com web services are currently in the process of being folded into the iCloud.com site.
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Apple has activated the new Find My Mac tool for developers with early access to Apple's iCloud service, allowing users to locate, lock and even wipe a lost Mac computer.
The new tool closely resembles the Find My iPhone service, despite the fact that Macs lack GPS, MacRumors reports. People familiar with the matter note that the service appears to use Wi-Fi networks to determine a Mac's location.
Find My Mac first appeared in
This requires setting up FileVault 2 right?
Countdown to France and Germany making this feature illegal.....3...2...1...
I just hope all this iCloud stuff is as reliable and functional as it is pretty. MobileMe's web interface was also beautiful... but...
This is great! There's no point in stealing a Mac anymore, is there? I will be able to leave my computer unattended without having to worry too much
Well, you will be able to track where I take your Mac.
How about. . .Find my iDisk? Where did IT go???? How about reinstating some of THESE features that people loved so much. To store things we actually want to, not just things you allow? Oh, and iWeb hosting. . .? Argh!
You do realize that Apple cares about features that they love, and not necessarily features that *people* love, don't you? Sometimes, there is a sizable intersection between the two sets. Sometimes, you're forced to *redirect* your love.
Biometric ID would also help to render a stolen Mac/iOS device useless. I assume that every device built has a unique machine ID. Tie that in to your biometric ID, store that machineID/biometricID in the cloud (if you trust their security?I know, a BIG IF!!) and even a stolen Mac/iOS that was wiped and rebuilt would be useless to a thief. Of course, if you decide to sell it or give it away, you could detach your biometric ID from the machine ID and let someone else claim the machine as theirs, but that could only be done deliberately (or maybe at gunpoint?
Anyway, just thinking out loud.
Oh, and iWeb hosting. . .? Argh!
Implying that you can't just use iWeb to host your website SOMEWHERE ELSE because the software won't instantaneously break.
Wow, that's a big advance for hackers to wipe out people's data on their macs. Just wait for the news of mysteriously data wiped macs.
Last quarter Apple sold 4 million Macs and 34 million, or 8.5 as many, IOS-based iDevices with a remote wipe feature. If it wasn't an issue for them why would it all of a sudden become an issue for a much smaller target?
Where all of us Mac Tools.....where just input tools in the Apple Universe.
Mac Tools?
Last quarter Apple sold 4 million Macs and 34 million, or 8.5 as many, IOS-based iDevices with a remote wipe feature. If it wasn't an issue for them why would it all of a sudden become an issue for a much smaller target?
Because fearmongering sells. Period.
I can assure anyone who is skeptical about this feature that it will be gold.
Now, back to me dreaming of owning a Mac again, like I did 3 weeks ago when I accidently left mine on a park bench.