iPhone iMorals

I just heard a great story and I wanted to pass it on...

My previous supervisor lost her cell phone on the BART train a couple days ago. Doesn't sound like too unique of a situation, does it?

Well, she had an iPhone. Still, not that unique...

Now, how many people do you think would return a lost iPhone found on a BART train, or anywhere for that matter? What would you do? Most people might see it and either take it or leave it, thinking the owner might come back looking for it. So you're left with the classic psychological situation of everyone thinking someone else will do something about it, and then no one does anything--or someone just picks it up and heads home with it, right? If I lost my iPhone, I would consider it gone forever!

Well, I was shocked to find out that someone actually found her iPhone on the BART train and returned it the nearest AT&T store, because he did not trust the BART station people to return it the proper owner (it might get lost again or misplaced at the station or someone else might take it, who knows). Isn't that amazing? The man who found the iPhone had enough sense to turn it off right away so the battery wouldn't drain, leaving enough juice in the iPhone so the AT&T people could find the rightful owner. How thoughtful is that? I just couldn't believe it! I mean this whole story has just lifted my spirits and reminded me that, even today, in this urban San Francisco bay area environment, there are still decent, honest people out there who just want to do that right thing. I have to say, this man had remarkable iPhone "iMorals"--ahhh, if only everyone embraced this as the standard etiquette for all lost cell phones!

On my iPhone, I found a free application, "If Found, Please Return To." You simply input your name and alternate phone number and e-mail address, and if you lose your phone, hopefully someone will be kind enough to return it to you. You can also make this screen your wallpaper too, so that it's the first thing someone sees when the phone is turned on.