I guess its a good thing this has nothing to do with jailbreaking. Also, you don't the software on your phone.
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Apple Patent Application on Detecting 'Unauthorized' iOS Device Usage Causes Controversy
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I guess its a good thing this has nothing to do with jailbreaking. Also, you don't the software on your phone.
In theory this could be used to track stolen phones but knowing apple I could see them using this to brick iDevices that have become jailbroken and then say no warranty.
No, actually it's not that easy. If you are a person like me you have invested some thousand bucks in Mac software. You have built up your whole entertainment ecosystem around Apple products because once they convinced you.
Now all of a sudden you realize that the so-called 'underdog' of the PC times has become the de facto monopolist on the mobile phone business, trying to dictate a whole scheme of media marketing to the industry.
Did you ever actually read any interview with the editors of Random House considering the iBookstore?
So now here's the dilemma: either
a) go Linux and waste your time on reading howtos just to find out, that many tools just don't cut it
b) go back Windows and invest in new software again
c) stay Mac and become bitter as your nostalgic view of the sympathetic company with their charismatic leader is just shattered with each and every piece of news since that ****ing iPhone landed on the planet
Currently I'm in camp c...but it only is a matter of time.
I've always wondered when people say 'knowing Apple' what they are actually referring to? What particular event or thing do Apple do so frequently that leads to the logical conclusion that this is exactly the kind of thing they'd do? No, really, I want to know what I've missed!
An Apple patent application published for the first time last week has been generating some discussion and controversy over exactly what the company intends to or could do with methods to identify "unauthorized" users of iOS devices.
The patent application describes how certain activities performed on a device such as an iPhone could be indicative of "suspicious behavior" that could reveal unauthorized usage of the device. In particular, Apple describes how voice, facial, or heartbeat recognition could be used to confirm whether a user is authorized to have access to a given device. Upon detection of an unauthorized user, the system could limit access to sensitive data stored on the device while working to gather information (photos, voice recording, location, screenshots) on the user in order to determine his or her identity.
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.Others are urging caution over what could be considered overreactions, claiming that Apple is perfectly clear in its intentions for the features.Another overlooked factor is Apple's history of inventions disclosed in patent applications, many of which have never made it into shipping products. While Apple does routinely take steps to inconvenience users attempting to perform actions such as jailbreaking of which it does not approve, there are obviously any number of other tactics it could employ to step up its efforts. And while Apple could easily employ more invasive methods, it has shown no apparent interest in doing so, and would obviously face a tremendous public backlash should it do so.
Regardless, this newly-published patent application filed in February 2009 seems to be clearly focused on protecting and finding lost or stolen iOS devices and simply offering up jailbreaking and unlocking as part of a possible suite of clues that together could help assess whether a user is authorized to access the device or not.
Article Link: Apple Patent Application on Detecting 'Unauthorized' iOS Device Usage Causes Controversy
Christ on a bike! Take your tin foil hat off much?
This is a feature to implement for the use of the end user. Just like "Remote Wipe", nobody was crying over that on the iPhone or any other device. Get out a little.
This is a textbook example of why you shouldn't put all of your eggs in one basket, specifically, Apple's basket. I can just see it now that the people who are still riding the popularity of Apple will shortly end up as point C candidates and wish they hadn't sunk so much of their time and money into a single platform that they then can't easily get out of.
Good news for Android users. If Apple patents it then Google can't use it.
I'm sure google will be copying it (in some "unique" non-patent infringing way) and figure out how to make ad revenue from it ("Sorry, your handset has been bricked due to illegal activity, in the meantime, take a look at these ad's on how to unbrick your Android phone!").
Sounds too risky for Apple for a start.
I can see class-action lawsuits over just exactly what data is sent back to Apple to verify the current user.
Imagine the damages from bricking / limiting say 10,000 iPhones by mistake, even for just a few hours.
I'll be sitting on the fence and be a late-adopter.
I can see class-action lawsuits over just exactly what data is sent back to Apple to verify the current user.
Imagine the damages from bricking / limiting say 10,000 iPhones by mistake, even for just a few hours.
I'll be sitting on the fence and be a late-adopter.
This, to me, brings up the whole question about people who loose or have their iPod Touchs stolen. Apple has been very 'Gosh, we're sorry but there's nothing we can do' about it for years. Now, perhaps, does this mean that they *can* do something about it?
I'd like a way to 'brick' a lost or stolen iPod. It only makes sense...
I'd like a way to 'brick' a lost or stolen iPod. It only makes sense...
This is exactly what owners of iGadgets should appreciate: having the ability to nullify anything the thief or 'acquaintance' might do to / with the iGadget.
Have it send a signal via e-mail or text to the owner so that it can be reported to the authorities. It is NOT in any way an of invasion of privacy.
Have it send a signal via e-mail or text to the owner so that it can be reported to the authorities. It is NOT in any way an of invasion of privacy.
Jap. Couldn't agree more. First time I found that out was when I learnt that my car stereo doesn't like AAC. Was a real PITA going back to MP3. But hey, thanx to that at least my music is now platform agnostic.
Still too lazy to reorganize my photos so I'm not dependent on iPhoto anymore.
And still liking Logic and FCS too much to just ditch them for Windows tools.
That's why currently Hackintosh may be the route to go. I keep on dreaming about a Linux side VM that emulates a Mac. Damn, that would make me a happy camper.
So who is the f..king moron that initially thought this feature had anything to do with jailbreaking.
It's obviously for end user security, and NOT for apple to protect against jailbreaking.
From this point on, instead of just making comments about jailbreaking... instead just write "I'm a f..king moron", and be done with it.
It's obviously for end user security, and NOT for apple to protect against jailbreaking.
From this point on, instead of just making comments about jailbreaking... instead just write "I'm a f..king moron", and be done with it.
unless it's their {stolen,lost} device .. then they break down doors
And have their LEO partners come over with automatic weapons.
This is really gutter quality "journalism".
So are you telling me Apple needs to use biometrics to determine whether the phone is jailbroken? How would knowledge of the current user's fingerprints, or looks, tell them anything about the jailbroken nature of the phone?
Why would they go through all that trouble, when MS has created a much simpler process that they have been using since Windows XP to prevent piracy? A simple call-in procedure.
This is so clearly a way to lockout phones which have been stolen. Its unbelievable to see the media spin it as something else.
Its the Tech equivalent of the Ground Zero Mosque, that is neither a Mosque, nor at Ground Zero...
So are you telling me Apple needs to use biometrics to determine whether the phone is jailbroken? How would knowledge of the current user's fingerprints, or looks, tell them anything about the jailbroken nature of the phone?
Why would they go through all that trouble, when MS has created a much simpler process that they have been using since Windows XP to prevent piracy? A simple call-in procedure.
This is so clearly a way to lockout phones which have been stolen. Its unbelievable to see the media spin it as something else.
Its the Tech equivalent of the Ground Zero Mosque, that is neither a Mosque, nor at Ground Zero...
