You'd probably be shocked at the actual number of paid astroturfers there are trolling these forums spreading FUD and misinformation about Apple and its products.
If only there was some biometric for detecting them...
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Apple Patent Application on Detecting 'Unauthorized' iOS Device Usage Causes Controversy
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
You'd probably be shocked at the actual number of paid astroturfers there are trolling these forums spreading FUD and misinformation about Apple and its products.
If only there was some biometric for detecting them...
Since Apple has patented this creepy stuff other companies will not be able to use it! (Not that I am aware of any of them willing to do it).
Oh yeah, because a "do no evil" company like Google would never do anything along the lines of what some of the nutbars in this thread have theorized Apple will do with this patent.
Google would never be involved in anything like violation of privacy, censorship, etc.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criticism_of_Google
Oops.
I read the referred article and did not find anything about Google working on "voice, facial, or heartbeat recognition could be used to confirm whether a user is authorized to have access to a given device". So far it seems to be limited to Apple. So, as I said, I am still not aware of "any of them willing to do it". Did you misread the article?
What is, and who decides what "unauthorized usage" is? How about, I paid for the phone and I'll do what I damn well please with it!!
If you were the "Director of Microsoft Covert Operations" (or whatever you think the name is of these enormous leagues of paid astroturfers), why would you waste your money on a kool-aid infested Apple fanbois site?
It makes no sense - don't hit a site that is populated by people with a congenital hatred for Windows - hit the sites where the "bi-curious" are asking questions, and steer them towards Redmond.
Methinks thou art a bit paranoid....
(He's cute, even with the Sarah Palin glasses and the tin foil hat...)
Seems like that is a trend these days, companies have taken steps further to let you know you are renting a $200+ device rather than owning it.
Before some apple zealot tells me I'm a anti-apple boy, Microsoft has been doing the same thing with their XBOX console. Modded ones get banned from XBOX LIVE all the time, in fact to a point the user has to go buy a new one.
Though activating the cam to spy is pretty over the top in my opinion, can't they just use the GPS chip?
Before some apple zealot tells me I'm a anti-apple boy, Microsoft has been doing the same thing with their XBOX console. Modded ones get banned from XBOX LIVE all the time, in fact to a point the user has to go buy a new one.
Though activating the cam to spy is pretty over the top in my opinion, can't they just use the GPS chip?
If you were the "Director of Microsoft Covert Operations" (or whatever you think the name is of these enormous leagues of paid astroturfers), why would you waste your money on a kool-aid infested Apple fanbois site?
I don't know...what brings you and the legions of trolls/haters here then?
If this is indeed a "kool-aid infested Apple fanbois site" then why would any Windows/Android fanboy, with nothing to gain and no way of changing opinions, waste their free time posting here? Just nothing better to do with their lives?
I anxiously await your brilliant explanation for this curious phenomenon, and if you could do it without using words as poncy as "methinks thou art" that would be great.
What does "poncy" mean? Dictionary.com came up with "select a language", and Wikipedia.com started with "Did you mean: pony"?
I like ponies. I don't like Apple fanbois spreading lies and half-truths. No "brilliant explanation", just a simple search for honest discourse.
++1
The Claims section of this patent application clearly states:
3. The method of claim 1, wherein determining further comprises:identifying a particular activity performed by the current user that indicates suspicious behavior.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein the particular activity comprises one or more of hacking the electronic device, jailbreaking the electronic device, unlocking the electronic device, removing a SIM card from the electronic device, and moving at least a predetermined distance away from a synced device.
Which makes things like jailbreaking and unlocking "a suspicious behavior" and then this will happen:
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the alert notification comprises a general message indicating that an unauthorized user has been detected.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the alert notification comprises at least a portion of the gathered information.
Ending with:
9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:restricting at least one function of the electronic device in response to determining.
Guess what function that would be. What about the boot process? Or simply blocking phone calls?
And all this while it grabs your "sensitive data":
10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:transmitting sensitive data from the electronic device to a remote storage; anderasing the sensitive data from the electronic device.
To store it remotely? But for who/what [presumably to secure it for us]? I mean. Don't we sync our devices already, or use MobileMe?
It of course depends on how [well] this will be implemented, if any, but it can most certainly hurt peoples privacy. Not to mention people with jail broken iDevices who will keep getting these annoying notifications... to remind you that your device might be stolen. Yeah right.
Note: Our iDevices are not jail broken but factory unlocked.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein determining further comprises:identifying a particular activity performed by the current user that indicates suspicious behavior.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein the particular activity comprises one or more of hacking the electronic device, jailbreaking the electronic device, unlocking the electronic device, removing a SIM card from the electronic device, and moving at least a predetermined distance away from a synced device.
Which makes things like jailbreaking and unlocking "a suspicious behavior" and then this will happen:
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the alert notification comprises a general message indicating that an unauthorized user has been detected.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the alert notification comprises at least a portion of the gathered information.
Ending with:
9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:restricting at least one function of the electronic device in response to determining.
Guess what function that would be. What about the boot process? Or simply blocking phone calls?
And all this while it grabs your "sensitive data":
10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:transmitting sensitive data from the electronic device to a remote storage; anderasing the sensitive data from the electronic device.
To store it remotely? But for who/what [presumably to secure it for us]? I mean. Don't we sync our devices already, or use MobileMe?
It of course depends on how [well] this will be implemented, if any, but it can most certainly hurt peoples privacy. Not to mention people with jail broken iDevices who will keep getting these annoying notifications... to remind you that your device might be stolen. Yeah right.
Note: Our iDevices are not jail broken but factory unlocked.
Way to fail at Google. Here's the first search result that flew over your head:
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=poncy
And if you somehow missed that one, you could have gone with hit #2:
http://www.slangsite.com/slang/P.html
So I assume in your tireless crusade for truth on the internet, you are registered on major Android and Windows forums (sorry, I don't know any actual site names, because I don't give a crap about those systems), fighting the good fight and stamping out the rampant FUD there as well? Sure you are.
Oh, and you didn't answer my original question. You just gave some B.S. about why YOU are supposedly here. Try again.
Yep. Welcome to 1984. You thought MS was bad, say hello to the new axis of evil.
Did you misread my words, or the helpful Wiki article I linked? You spouted some nonsense about companies other than Apple not being "willing" to use technology like that discussed in this patent. We already know they can't use this specific tech, that's what a patent is all about. But your ridiculous assertion that no other company would ever have the will to do something along these lines is patently absurd on its face, and easily refuted by sources such as those found in the Wiki article about Google and their less than noble practices. They were an easy company to single out because of their infamous "do no evil" creed, which is some of the most odious corporate propaganda ever devised. Can't say it hasn't been effective though, clearly it has brainwashed people like you.
I don't understand what is up with people like you? I guess you're not a fan of jailbreaking, which is fine. But why "ban" jailbreakers? You're not into jailbreaking, so it shouldn't be allowed for everybody? How about we let people do what they want with their own devices.
Quote:
Originally Posted by DylanLikesPorn
Apple is the becoming the evil monopolist that Microsoft never was. Apple innovated on making the user experience better, but this effort does not reflect that goal. This is bad news for everyone.
TWO flibberty-gibberts in a row!
Originally Posted by DylanLikesPorn
Apple is the becoming the evil monopolist that Microsoft never was. Apple innovated on making the user experience better, but this effort does not reflect that goal. This is bad news for everyone.
TWO flibberty-gibberts in a row!
Sorry, but I can't answer for the "legions of trolls/haters", I can only say why *I* am here.
I'd assume that it would have something to do with "legions" of smug, arrogant appholes - but I'm not their spokesman.
Wow.It's just a patent application.
And besides,it looks pretty cool to me,very useful if I lose my phone or it's stolen.Lojack,anyone?Corporate and Governmental users might find it very useful.
Sitting around and wasting time dreaming up bizarre scenarios in which Apple bricks your jailbroken phone is pretty paranoid and unrealistic.
Chill.And watch out for Google!
And besides,it looks pretty cool to me,very useful if I lose my phone or it's stolen.Lojack,anyone?Corporate and Governmental users might find it very useful.
Sitting around and wasting time dreaming up bizarre scenarios in which Apple bricks your jailbroken phone is pretty paranoid and unrealistic.
Chill.And watch out for Google!
Features? how bout HD video recording, VIDEO CHAT, retina display, front and back camera, multitasking, and wayyyy more..... how many more features do you want?
they DO care about what the customers want, clearly.
I Vote No!
My foil hat doesn't exist (but that was a funny comment), but at the same time I think this is clearly a negative issue.
If you need to locate and/or wipe your stolen iPhone, then get a Mobile Me account. You can already do both. Or, get an app such as Undercover.
What they propose "for our own good", already exists but without all of the potentially Orwellian effects. So, why add the Orwellian factors?
Besides, it's not the abuse that they are doing now, it's the abuse that will be so easy to implement once they are allowed set it all up. Then they just do what they want, and find a justifiable reason to use it. That's the problem. It's the foot in the door theory.
Don't let Apple become the next Microsoft. Keep them as they are. A great company.
My foil hat doesn't exist (but that was a funny comment), but at the same time I think this is clearly a negative issue.
If you need to locate and/or wipe your stolen iPhone, then get a Mobile Me account. You can already do both. Or, get an app such as Undercover.
What they propose "for our own good", already exists but without all of the potentially Orwellian effects. So, why add the Orwellian factors?
Besides, it's not the abuse that they are doing now, it's the abuse that will be so easy to implement once they are allowed set it all up. Then they just do what they want, and find a justifiable reason to use it. That's the problem. It's the foot in the door theory.
Don't let Apple become the next Microsoft. Keep them as they are. A great company.