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.”
Charles Starrett was a senior editor at iLounge. He's been covering the iPod, iPhone, and iPad since their inception. He has written numerous articles and reviews, and his work has been featured in multiple publications.