Apple Patent Application on Detecting 'Unauthorized' iOS Device Usage Causes Controversy

[Eorlas]

People need to chill. Apple is not going to go as far as directly bricking jailbroken or carrier opened phones this is extremely likely to be an application that helps you track a stolen device and lock it down to minimal usage if it's lost similar to this:

Undercover

 

[s1nt4x]

Guess is time for the community to step it up a bit, and remind apple one again that there is great strength in numbers, they forgot apparently "where ever theres will , there will be a way".
I was expecting this after the blunder with the iphone 4 witch cold be unlock/jailbroken over the web ( jobs must have blown a fuse or tho when he saw that)

 

[paul4339]

I see this more as a security feature ... and as long as it's optional I have no problems.

if this was a finger print scanner/reader like they have on many laptops would it garner this kind of reaction? it's just another way to detect an unauthorized user.


P.

 

[oliversl]

another FUD, sorry but Apple will not spy you on the bathroom. Maybe Google will do that in order to sell a soap ad.

This patent could help you if your iPhone is stollen. Maybe you and only you will be able to sent a "lock" command to the phone.

Again, this patent could be used for FUD or for picturing Apple as a control freak.

This seems to be all over again like the iTravel app, clearly Apple did not steal the App or its concept, they used as an example.

 

[stuffradio]

Do you know of Apple stealing anybodies technology? Shutting down businesses by making threats of lawsuits to the businesses investors or claiming they are going to enter into a space and even announcing products that they never intend to ship, just to undermine competitors?

Yes, Apple does it all the time. What your definition of stealing somebodies technology would differ though. Apple "borrows" technology and incorporates their own implementation of it.
Apple acquired the people at Lala and shut them down. We have not heard of anything out of that yet. Apple does that sort of thing all the time, buying companies and shutting them down.

I once had a MSFT employee we were negotiating with sit across the table and say to my face "join us or we will bury you".

I once had an Apple employee I was negotiating with sit across the table and say to my face "join us or we will bury you".

It is amazing how, no matter what Apple does-- and this patent is a perfect example--- the Apple bashers will just fabricate something and then claim Apple did it.

I know. We should just let Apple do anything without ever "bashing" them. I do bash Microsoft from time to time too... just not really as much on this forum.

I'm glad that in the last 10 years the Mac has become more popular.... but it seems many windows fanbois just aren't giving up, even when they know they've lost.

Right, it's always windows "fanbois" as you so stupidly spell it. It would never be people who like Apple products that are concerned about where a company they like is headed.

As Apple ramps up its efforts to become more mainstream... it's not only going to be the "fanbois" you have to worry about. It's also going to be the general illiterate users as well.

 

[ernie.]

Amazing people can start a **** storm over a patent.

 

[paradox00]

In reading the patent it is pretty clear that the "unauthorized users" are intended to be people that use the device without recieving permission to use it from the owner of the device (not Apple).

Why would Apple want to recieve emails and pictures telling them that someones iDevice might have been stolen?

 

[HyperZboy]

Yes, Apple does it all the time. What your definition of stealing somebodies technology would differ though. Apple "borrows" technology and incorporates their own implementation of it.
Apple acquired the people at Lala and shut them down. We have not heard of anything out of that yet. Apple does that sort of thing all the time, buying companies and shutting them down.


I once had an Apple employee I was negotiating with sit across the table and say to my face "join us or we will bury you".


I know. We should just let Apple do anything without ever "bashing" them. I do bash Microsoft from time to time too... just not really as much on this forum.


Right, it's always windows "fanbois" as you so stupidly spell it. It would never be people who like Apple products that are concerned about where a company they like is headed.

As Apple ramps up its efforts to become more mainstream... it's not only going to be the "fanbois" you have to worry about. It's also going to be the general illiterate users as well.

Well said.

In reading the patent it is pretty clear that the "unauthorized users" are intended to be people that use the device without recieving permission to use it from the owner of the device (not Apple).

Why would Apple want to recieve emails and pictures telling them that someones iDevice might have been stolen?

Exactly! Isn't GPS and locating the device good enough?
A thief doesn't want your pictures or probably even your music or videos.
A thief just wants your damn phone!

Didn't Apple locate one of its OWN iPhones already that was attempted to be stolen?

I find this story creepy at the minimum.

 

[lilo777]

Well, there is at least one good aspect of this

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). 😀

 

[torbjoern]

oldthinkers who unbellyfeel Ingsoc duckspeak of ownlife.

thoughtcrime and facecrime are double-plus-ungood.

 

[ChrisA]

I've been saying for years that Apple should do something like this. They should make it so a stolen iPhone is usless to the person you steels it. Same for notebook computers.

It would be easy to do. A user could enable the feature or not. So it would be up to each person. First the device would lock up if the password is not correct and then later you should be able to call Apple or enter on the web that your device is lost. Apple (or ATT) could remotly "brick" the device

Also ALL user information needs to be encrypted. I don't even see a need for an option to not encrypt

With those features no one would have any use for a stolen or "found" device. and so then you could implement another feature. The device would power up with only one button you can click "Notify owner that you have found this computer". Clicking it would send location to Apple, e-mail to user and maybe even print out a prepaid shipping label.

There are details to be worked out but the goal should be to make a stolen or lost device absolutly usesless for any purpose but (maybe) calling 911 or returning to the owner. And this feature could be optional.

 

[dlemmon]

If it works anything like the proximity sensor, no thanks.

I can see it now:

"sorry i lost the call, my voice activated security system locked my phone."

"oh, so it wasn't your face hitting the buttons again?"

 

[maflynn]

Don't let the facts get in your way! Just go for it!

Quote from the article

Some observers have, however, pointed to another set of methods for unauthorized user detection that could in theory be employed by Apple to exert control over legitimate users' activity on the device. Specifically, Apple suggests that such actions as jailbreaking, unlocking, or SIM card removal could be used to flag users as unauthorized.

Ignoring the possibility that a false positive in Apple's proposed theft protection might activate the spy cam while the user is in the bath, or in the middle of some other intimate moment, this technology seems Orwellian for another reason: It gives Steve jobs and Co. the means to retaliate when iPhones aren't being used in ways Cupertino doesn't expressly permit.

I suggest you keep drinking that kool aid 🙄

 

[Zyniker]

Wow. There must be a tin-foil hat shortage or something.

Quite the opposite. In fact, they're having a convention in this thread right now, it seems.

 

[HyperZboy]

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). 😀

I never thought of that angle. I bet Google is jealous today! 😀


As for those screaming it's not intrusive or creepy, I'd say doesn't a password lock essentially make the device useless alone?

So the question begs, what is the point of this? I still don't see it.

 

[orfeo2k]

Just a quick comment...

If you don't like Apple... STOP USING THEIR PRODUCTS 🙂... that will send them a message 🙂 Bitching about it and developing conspiracy hypothesis about Apple is kinda waste of energy...

Don't forget that Apple is a commercial company and it is here to MAKE A PROFIT! RIM people would LOVE to be in APPLE's shoes and they will probably be doing the same thing if they have their act together.

So basically, if you don't like Apple... stop buying their products!!!

 

[obiwan]

I think it's quite sad to see that some people actually think Apple would stoop so low as to use this technology in order to 'control' how you use your own device.

All the Apple haters out there already seem to think that Apple are manipulative and overly controlling over their platform. The approval process for the App store is a prime example, - the reason it exists is primarily for the benefit of users, and keep up the quality of what's on offer. I see this patent application as no different - it's a way of improving the security of platform, rather than a way of imposing control of the device.

There's no guarantee this will ever make it into a shipping product in any case - like many other of their patent applications.

 

[Mattie Num Nums]

I think it's quite sad to see that some people actually think Apple would stoop so low as to use this technology in order to 'control' how you use your own device.

HAHAHAHHHAHAAHHAAHHAHAAHAHAHHA!!!!!!!! Naive-much???

On another note my new 64GB WiFi iPad just came in! Time to retire the 32GB.

 

[HyperZboy]

If it works anything like the proximity sensor, no thanks.

I can see it now:

"sorry i lost the call, my voice activated security system locked my phone."

"oh, so it wasn't your face hitting the buttons again?"

Thank You for the best laugh of the day so far! 😀

 

[Mac21ND]

If you don't like Apple... STOP USING THEIR PRODUCTS 🙂... that will send them a message 🙂 Bitching about it and developing conspiracy hypothesis about Apple is kinda waste of energy...

Don't forget that Apple is a commercial company and it is here to MAKE A PROFIT! RIM people would LOVE to be in APPLE's shoes and they will probably be doing the same thing if they have their act together.

So basically, if you don't like Apple... stop buying their products!!!

Couldn't have said it better. There are options for personal computers, smart(dumb) phones, and operating systems.

 

[TomaxXamot]

Settle down apple, and stop being such commies. We are fine with you being in control if you don't get ridiculous.

Don't make us not like you, please. We want to be happy customers that will defend you.

Exactly.

 

[stuffradio]

If you don't like Apple... STOP USING THEIR PRODUCTS 🙂... that will send them a message 🙂 Bitching about it and developing conspiracy hypothesis about Apple is kinda waste of energy...

Don't forget that Apple is a commercial company and it is here to MAKE A PROFIT! RIM people would LOVE to be in APPLE's shoes and they will probably be doing the same thing if they have their act together.

So basically, if you don't like Apple... stop buying their products!!!

That's a silly solution. That's what people have been telling Android fanboys. There is a difference between extra security and spying on the users. I just got an iPhone 4... I'm not going to switch phones just because the users should just switch instead of questioning Apples intentions of a product.

If all it is is for users to be able to get extra security (I imagine it would be included in the $99 MobileMe package and not for free) then it is fine in my idea. BUT, I see it easily being a product that will let Apple brick phones that jailbreak because Apple hates it. That is an illegitimate reason for making this feature. It punishes people like me who have jailbroken a phone and not pirated apps.

 

[Mattie Num Nums]

Couldn't have said it better. There are options for personal computers, smart(dumb) phones, and operating systems.

Unfortunately its not that easy.

 

[lilo777]

If you don't like Apple... STOP USING THEIR PRODUCTS 🙂... that will send them a message 🙂 Bitching about it and developing conspiracy hypothesis about Apple is kinda waste of energy...

Don't forget that Apple is a commercial company and it is here to MAKE A PROFIT! RIM people would LOVE to be in APPLE's shoes and they will probably be doing the same thing if they have their act together.

So basically, if you don't like Apple... stop buying their products!!!

That would be a step in the right direction. But what about government? How do we make sure that our tax payer dollars are not spent on Apple hardware?

 

[Full of Win]

Do you know of Apple stealing anybodies technology? Shutting down businesses by making threats of lawsuits to the businesses investors or claiming they are going to enter into a space and even announcing products that they never intend to ship, just to undermine competitors?

A few weeks ago Apple forced monoprice to stop selling apple iPod/iPhone items because the cables cost 5-10% of what apple is charging.

Sorry, the central thesis of your post has failed