Apple makes Find my iPhone free

As part of their iOS 4.2 announcement and as previously rumored, Apple has also announced that they're making the Find my iPhone feature of MobileMe free for all users:

The Find My iPhone (or iPad or iPod touch) feature is now free to use without a MobileMe℠ subscription and helps you locate your missing device.* The Find My iPhone app is a free download on the App Store℠ and lets users easily locate a missing device on a map and have it display a message or play a sound. Users can even remotely lock or wipe data from a lost device to protect privacy.*The free Find My iPhone feature is available for iPhone 4, iPad or new iPod touch (4th generation).

You can still use Find my iPhone on older iPhones and iPod touches but the account has to be set up on a 2010 model first. Either express your delight at having the new free service -- or your outrage at being inconveni -- in the comments!

[Apple PR]

Rene Ritchie is one of the most respected Apple analysts in the business, reaching a combined audience of over 40 million readers a month. His YouTube channel, Vector, has over 90 thousand subscribers and 14 million views and his podcasts, including Debug, have been downloaded over 20 million times. He also regularly co-hosts MacBreak Weekly for the TWiT network and co-hosted CES Live! and Talk Mobile. Based in Montreal, Rene is a former director of product marketing, web developer, and graphic designer. He's authored several books and appeared on numerous television and radio segments to discuss Apple and the technology industry. When not working, he likes to cook, grapple, and spend time with his friends and family.