What is the difference between 3GS & 4 for Find My iPhone app?

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Level 3

933 points

What is the difference between 3GS & 4 for Find My iPhone app?

According to Apple, if you have an iPhone 4 running iOS 4.2, you can use their "Find My iPhone" for free. However, if you have an iPhone 3GS running iOS 4.2, then you need to pay $99/year to use "Find My iPhone".

So what is different hardware-wise that requires a $99/year fee for the 3GS? Last I heard was both models have GPS, both have 3G cell capability, both have WiFi capability, etc. for the FMI feature to work.

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Posted on Nov 30, 2010 8:06 AM

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Answer 1

roaminggnome

Level 10

106,407 points

Nov 30, 2010 8:11 AM in response to romad

Apple has decided to give a bonus feature to iphone 4 users ( not unusual at all for the newest models to have the newest/most features with any product).

As far as I know Apple has not announced why.

The $99 is for mobileme. Find my iphone is but one of many features that come with a mobileme subscription.

Would you be happier if find my iphone was not free for anyone?

Do you find it odd that a company would have more features for their newest product? Really?

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Answer 2

romad Author

Level 3

933 points

Nov 30, 2010 8:49 AM in response to roaminggnome

roaminggnome wrote:
Apple has decided to give a bonus feature to iphone 4 users ( not unusual at all for the newest models to have the newest/most features with any product).

As far as I know Apple has not announced why.

The $99 is for mobileme. Find my iphone is but one of many features that come with a mobileme subscription.

Of which I've found mostly useless. I only use the email (for AD mainly) and FMI

Would you be happier if find my iphone was not free for anyone?

No, but either it should be free for all devices that have the capability to run it, or only free for an initial period of ownership such as 180 days.

Do you find it odd that a company would have more features for their newest product? Really?

Except this is NOT a new feature. It is akin to Sony saying that only their latest model TV can receive OTA transmissions for free. The capability is already built-in. It does make sense that FMI can't be used with the original and 3G models since they don't have the necessary GPS circuitry.

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Answer 3

lumpy53

Level 1

15 points

Nov 30, 2010 11:18 PM in response to romad

If you have a iPhone 4 (Or a iPad, new iTouch.) and your spouse or child has your old 3g or 3GS, you can still get it for free on the 3G & 3GS.
1.Download app on all phones.
2.Set up your account on your IP4.
3.Then log on the app on the other phones using the same account as the IP4.
4.Selet add.
I might not have got all the steps right but it works on my wifes 3G now.

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Answer 4

Dec 1, 2010 2:44 AM in response to romad

Note that this has nothing to do with the Find My iPhone app. The Find My iPhone service is built into the iPhone OS (iOS). You use the app to locate another iPhone, not the one it is installed on.

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Answer 5

romad Author

Level 3

933 points

Dec 1, 2010 7:30 AM in response to lumpy53

Did the 3G come with GPS?

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Answer 6

paulcb

Level 6

19,245 points

Dec 1, 2010 7:33 AM in response to romad

Did the 3G come with GPS?

Yes, it has a real GPS receiver and can use (but doesn't require) assisted-GPS to determine it's location if there is a cellular or wifi connection available.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assisted_GPS

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Answer 7

romad Author

Level 3

933 points

Dec 1, 2010 7:35 AM in response to paulcb

Ah, I wasn't aware of that as I went from an original iPhone to a 3GS last year.

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