Apple Stores Removing Security Tethers From iPhone Display Models

[Porco]

I'm not sure it's true the devices would be unusable if stolen... maybe not fully useable as phones/internet devices, but as a camera, an iPod etc... ? What if a thief just turns location services off and Airplane mode on before they walk out? (Maybe Apple will add those to the 'restrictions' list in settings).

I get why they'd want to do this, but it feels like there is a better compromise to be done, like an unobtrusive RFID tag sticker on the back (or even inside) or something.

Edit: read the earlier post about iOS on demo phones maybe being a different version... makes sense.

 

[mildocjr]

I wonder if they could use the beacon technology with a custom firmware where the phone is only able to fully boot while in range of the beacon, once the user leaves the beacon it shuts off.

 

[MacNeto]

This could be the first time in history an iPhone deal is considered, "it's a steal."

 

[chiefsilverback]

I like that they are still going to put tethers on 27" iMacs, because those are so easy to slip into your pocket...

 

[Brookzy]

I'm not sure it's true the devices would be unusable if stolen... maybe not fully useable as phones/internet devices, but as a camera, an iPod etc... ? What if a thief just turns location services off and Airplane mode on before they walk out? (Maybe Apple will add those to the 'restrictions' list in settings).

I get why they'd want to do this, but it feels like there is a better compromise to be done, like an unobtrusive RFID tag sticker on the back (or even inside) or something.

Edit: read the earlier post about iOS on demo phones maybe being a different version... makes sense.

They will be activation locked, and so unusable.

Also, the article states alarms will sound if a device is removed from the store. I assume beacon technology is being used.

 

[adamjackson]

This is genius. A better experience for potential customers who get to really feel the phone w/o a weight or unsightly cord hanging from it.

If they walk out with it, the phone gets bricked and Apple sends the footage on to the police and Apple's out $250 cost for the inconvenience but the experience honest people get that leads to a potential sale likely offsets the 2-3 phones a day that go missing.

 

[NeilHD]

The phone may be unusable if stolen, but if you needed a new screen or battery or something... then this seems like a good source of genuine spare parts!

 

[SMIDG3T]

It's good they can remotely disable them but why don't their stores have CCTV? Unless they're hidden?

 

[Floris]

I tend to use the Apple Pay option a lot when buying cases in store, which I never understood what stops people from just picking up a case and walk out without paying seeing as even after I pay I just walk out holding the box with no bag, etc.

i wonder this too. I dont have apple pay in the NL, but the app lets you scan codes and pay instore for a while. I haven't had to use this as i always had questions. But I always wondered, what makes you not just pretend a scan and walk away. How do they know, besides the software not 'unlocking' some nfc/rfid chip bitfield value so it beeps or not.

Never bothered to look into it though, since i dont care about stealing anything. i want to feel happy owning it

 

[Thunderhawks]

Don't confuse a stupid purchase with a courage purchase

Galaxy Note 7 is the go to phone for terrorists!

 

[WaxedJacket]

It would be even cooler if it was automatically enabled by distance. Walk 20 feet outside of the store with these phones and it gets bricked.

 

[JilzVT]

They're not COMPLETELY worthless to a thief. There's still hundreds of dollars in parts in there.

 

[satchmo]

I applaud Apple for pushing the customer experience.

That said, if theft becomes widespread, it won't be a good for the brand having everyday stories of chases and arrests.

I'm surprised they didn't implement wireless security tags.

 

[cwwilson]

Now this really takes courage.

 

[Digital Dude]

Anybody want to take a guess or start a poll as to how long this will last? In my career, I traveled the world at least twice, and the only country where I have seen this sort of honor system work was in Saudi Arabia. On certain weekends they would have gold markets, much like we have street vendor fairs. At the checkout table, you may often find a small basket with random sizes of pure gold, similar to candy mints you occasionally see at restaurant checkout counter. They were left unattended, and I was surprised. However, if you're caught trying to steal one of those little pieces of gold, you would be taken to the street immediately, and your hand cut off. Here in America, I wouldn't trust our citizenry for one minute. As noble as this policy may be, I bet this program won't last 90 days or less.

Apple products consumer since 1983

 

[kingpushup]

Break a screen? Steal a replacement.

That's the concern.

However, Apple is smart enough. I am eager to see news reports of just how deeply Apple has developed loss prevention in this regard.

Nonetheless, I worry that such news itself will color Apple's reputation from 'just works' to 'on duty.'

 

[Lennholm]

Don't confuse a stupid purchase with a courage purchase

Well, those two words have become pretty interchangeable lately.

 

[Fall Under Cerulean Kites]

Apple’s cost to manufacture a phone is far less than the retail price - there are very high margins on these products. Plus there is a cost for purchasing and maintaining the security tethers as well which will help offset the potential loss due to theft. It’s an overall win for the customer experience and I applaud Apple for this move. You’d really have to be daft to attempt to steal an iPhone from an Apple store anyway. It’s not as if you could possibly hope to obtain a device that will continue working. And likely, it’ll be deactivated before you’re able to hawk it on the street.

 

[BreuerEditor]

There's so much 'courage' going on at Apple lately. I can't wait to see how courageous they are waiting to release new Macs...

 

[Jimmy James]

They've probably also added non defeatable GPS tracking to be followed by criminal charges.

 

[Floris]

Galaxy Note 7 is the go to phone for terrorists!

Who knows, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...des-taking-selfie-phone-rigged-explosive.html , maybe it wasn't a selfie, maybe it was just a note 7.
[doublepost=1476454126][/doublepost]

They've probably also added non defeatable GPS tracking to be followed by criminal charges.

I think most criminals now know to put the stolen device off and into a special bag That's why unfortn a lot of pick pocket phones change hands twice, and end up going 'dead' a few minutes later.

 

[Ohples]

If iCloud can't be set up on them, how do they use Find My iPhone per the article?

I'm sure Apple has a way around this. Perhaps there is an internal iCloud-like service just for stuff like this.

 

[v0lume4]

This takes a lot of balls. Bravo.

I was in an Apple Store a few weeks ago, testing out the new 7 Plus, and I put the phone in my pocket to see how it fit in my pants compared to my iPhone 5 (this particular phone had the tether as mentioned in the article). It would have been a lot easier without the tether.

Cool to see Apple continuing the put the customer experience first in their retail stores. Well, that is, as long as you aren't doing in-store pickup for the iPhone 7. But still.

 

[Boatboy24]

The courageous move...

I see what you did there!

 

[Floris]

I'm sure Apple has a way around this. Perhaps there is an internal iCloud-like service just for stuff like this.

It really helps if YOU are the one making the hardware and software. You can make whatever you want,
I think questioning "but the os normally does this" doesn't really count