Using Find my Iphone

Question

Hello Fellow Apple iphone users,
I recently tested out the 'Find my Iphone' app and found it to be very interesting and useless at the same time.
reasons why it is useful :
1) It actually works when you send a message, play a sound or remote lock/wipe
2) It shows your actual location on the map with www.me.com
3) Quick email confirmations
why it doesnt work:
1) You can immediately restore the iphone on itunes even if the phone has a passcode lock on it.. it doesn't ask you to enter a password to perform actions in itunes. Which makes your phone impossible to find
2) You can turn off location services or the find my iphone app and you cannot determine a location even though you can still send messages or remote wipe/lock. (remote wipe is just defeating the whole purpose anyways, your actually helping the person who has your phone)
3) The person can turn off your iphone and now it is completely impossible to find your phone.
I think Apple needs to turn on a password feature for itunes where if there is a passcode on the phone itself you cannot perform any actions/sync without entering the passcode thats on the phone, so therefore it would make it impossible for the person to use the phone or restore it then use it for themselves.
Also they need to have this feature embedded within the phone so you cannot delete the app or mobileme account if there isn't a set passcode by the original user on the iphone.
If you have any suggestions or comments, please post.
Thanks,

Answer 1

While we are users here just like you, you do make valid points, and they have been discussed in the past. If you want Apple to hear you, you need to go to www.apple.com/feedback/iphone.html and let your voice be heard there.
You tested being able to restore your iPhone and it is easier for you because you are on the computer you sync to. That allows it to be done without the passcode. If a thief tries to restore, at least none of your data will be compromised. That is the real purpose in it. I agree there should be some type of password associated with the ability to turn off the location services associated with findmyiphone, but imagine the difficulties if you just wanted to turn off location services for something yourself and you had to go through the password thing. Another thing you did not address is the thief can remove your SIM card and accomplish the same thing as far as defeating findmyiphone.
My understanding of iOS 5 is findmyiphone will be a part of the initial activation process, but again the things you describe for defeating it will still exist. While it isn't a perfect system, it does help in the event of accidental loss or missplacement, and at least you have a short period of time to work with locating/wiping the phone if the thief is not aware of these abilities, which many are not.
One of the difficulties with makig it impossible to use or restore the phone at all would have to do with the eventual sale of a phone. This is one of the reasons they will not blacklist IMEI numbers in the USA. There will always be that one person that will sell a phone and then try and get it blacklisted so the buyer cannot use it.
Excellent comments though.