News
Apple patents a possible iPod and iPhone security feature
A new patent application published by the US Patent & Trademark Office may be a new feature of upcoming iPods and iPhones, reports InformationWeek. The patent application, “Protecting electronic devices from extended unauthorized use,” covers a technique to keep a device from being recharged if certain conditions — “a timer expires, device is connected to a power-supply or another device, device is outside a determined geographical boundary” — are met. If that should happen, the user would then need to enter an authorization code. Failure to input the correct code would keep the device from recharging. The patent states simply, “normal use and enjoyment of the device can be significantly reduced by disabling the recharger.”
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1
If there is a will there is always a way around it, people with figure out a work around for sure. But for a normal person it wouldn’t be easy to do but I am positive people have a work around if apple does apply this.
Posted by Daniel on June 22, 2007 at 9:12 AM (PDT)
2
Normal use and enjoyment is also significantly reduced by robbing someone of their iPod. But how does disabling the recharger return it to the rightful owner?
Posted by tommy on June 22, 2007 at 9:29 AM (PDT)
3
I think this is more geared to the fact that a lot of personl data could be stored on an iPhone so that you couldn’t just plug it into a new computer copy all of its contents.
Posted by jeremy i on June 22, 2007 at 9:33 AM (PDT)
4
What it means is that if you go outside a specific customizable area (City, State, Etc.) it won’t charge. This would mean that if someone stole the iPhone, it wouldn’t charge.
Posted by anti-luddite on June 22, 2007 at 11:38 AM (PDT)
5
Hey, my Dell laptop already has this feature as well as my old 2G iPod. The batteries wont recharge any more!
Posted by Gubbas on June 22, 2007 at 3:01 PM (PDT)