Apple Stores Removing Security Tethers From iPhone Display Models

[doelcm82]

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...

They could release new Macs today. It might be missing a few components, and you'd have to assemble it yourself. But you don't care if it's ready. You just want it now.

The rumors have been pointing to an announcement soon. Apple probably has it penciled in on their schedule. No amount of pleading will get them to ship you an unassembled MBP. They aren't that courageous.

 

[JeffyTheQuik]

Nice! I've been wanting to see if an iPad Pro 12.9in will be able to fit on my lap. The tether has made that check a bit... ummm... awkward.

Let's hope it comes to iPads too.

Stealing an i-device is one of the dumbest things you can do. Buying one not at an (or other retail) store is second. (mind you, you can still do person to person transactions, just have the Geniuses verify it isn't stolen first.)

 

[Brookzy]

Apple retail store annual loss rates average 1.3%, amongst all products. Average retail loss rates in electronic stores is 2.8%. There is far more security in an Apple retail store than that which is visible, which is nearly none.

Aside from employees dressed in plain clothes, stop and think that almost every product around the location has a camera, and is connected to the Apple network via wifi. Very possible to have photos and video from 50+ different products being stored on a remote server photographing a customers every move.

Last but not least, there's so much that can be done when the hardware manufacturer is also the software manufacturer. Much customization can be done that's not apparent to the demo user, but serves to protect the company.

Very interesting stats. Did you used to work in Apple retail?

 

[Eduardo1971]

2016 will be remembered as the year that Apple lived courageously.

 

[fischersd]

Does no one read the article anymore? It says that alarms will be sounded if devices are removed! They're using beacon technology, not this crazy Wi-Fi idea! Jeez.

Heh. Does it distinctly state whether the alarms will be sounding in the store or on the device?
Pretty easy bit of code to write to do that.

Edit: Also, with the base station at the back of the store, you know what the signal strength will be - these devices support 802.11AC, so also support the 802.11v feature "time in flight" - so they should be able to state distance from the base station - you get out the front door, the employees are also alerted.

 

[jmgregory1]

This is one of the examples of how Apple tries to think about the whole experience of using, and shopping for, their products. It may seem like a small thing on one hand, having had to deal with tethered electronics from just about every retailer for decades, but taking away something small like this will just improve the perception of ease of use for customers.

 

[stewy]

Good riddance, I for one hated touching the display models fearing the ****** alarm would go off. Those alarms are quite loud and annoying if all you want to do is just check the phone or device out.

I worked at sears years ago and we had a similar setup on the digital cameras that would constantly go off if anyone touched them. We spent our time getting the keys and resetting the alarm. People just walk away when that happens, it's annoying. Eventually it was such a nuisance we just turned the alarm system off.

 

[Just1n12]

That's a smart move on Apples part, I'm proud of them for doing this. Making the retail experience even better

 

[SMIDG3T]

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

Have you seen the iPhone 7 parts breakdown? It's worth around $220 but that's for everything. You'd struggle to sell random CPU's, displays etc.

 

[Floris]

Aaaand the joke officially goes too far.

Having bought a Note7 did not make one stupid. Buying one now does.

Yes, I am a Note series fanboy, albeight not a stupid one.

That's ok

 

[Tycho24]

Apple has now made it easier to steal their iPhones from their stores!

Edit: (Note to self: Always read the entire article before commenting.)

Your edit = best example of courage so far!!! ;0)

 

[MrJM]

Demo iPhones are actually made for demo purposes, and are not like the ones we buy. Their serial number starts with a special number and the iOS version is a demo, there's no Reset menu (no it's not restricted via Restrictions, which I believe that menu isn't there either) and you can't set up iCloud on it.

I was told by a member of staff they they are all retail units and they put the demo software on them when they arrive.

 

[DoctaSfink]

I don't need a functioning phone to turn a profit. All I need to do is carve out the sapphire components with my level 7 mineral pick and my walmart pumpkin carving kit and sell it to all of my black market jeweler friends.

Say goodbye to all of your display models, Apple fiends. Not even Batman can save you from the crime wave this foolish move will cause.

 

[rickyipcw]

Apple has done it in Hong Kong for a while already, except that the number of guards goes up at the same time. There were guards inside and outside the stores, and I felt like surrounded by too many of them. It was not a better experience to me.

 

[MH01]

Now this is a courageous move. Hope they got a lot of spares out the back

 

[doelcm82]

Maybe this way they can whisk away the iPhones before some madman with a boule ball comes along...
Still don't get it. Stolen phones will have to be paid - by customers eventually.

Yes. But the cost to prevent stolen phones also gets paid by customers.

This may turn out to be a bad idea. Many people here on this site are dreaming of ways they can now walk into an Apple Store and steal an untethered iPhone and sell it for parts. But Apple will be monitoring whether this change actually results in more theft, and they'll weigh that against whether it results in more sales and more profit.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

That's a smart move on Apples part, I'm proud of them for doing this. Making the retail experience even better

It's a smart move, yes. But why are you "proud" of them? Are you the parent of Apple? Another relative? Apple is a company. This is a business decision, not a profile in courage. Do you think Apple would do this if they couldn't track and neuter the phone the second it left the store? I'm certain this is something Apple cleared with whoever underwrites its theft insurance policy, and also why Mac laptops won't get the same treatment.

 

[Tycho24]

I just watched a TV show recently that profiled cell phone theft. Phones are stolen in the US and shipped to Latin America where people use software/hardware tools to break the software locks and then they are sold throughout Latin America. I don't see why that M.O. wouldn't work with these display model phones. All that said, I'm sure Apple has robust security in their stores. Just because you can't see it doesn't mean it isn't there.

Maybe because......... you're tripping & iOS 10 security is not NEARLY as easy to crack as you claim.
Lol, why wouldn't the FBI have sent their "uncrackable" phone to Latin America, if they miraculously have the means to do there what no one can here??

 

[AbSoluTc]

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.

Contrary to media and what you have heard, most people are honest. Most people like the freedom to buy stuff without interacting with another person. Quickly in, get item, pay, leave.

Of course there are some that take advantage of that freedom. Those are the ones you hear about. Is it often? Not really. Honesty usually always trumps dishonest.

This new move is nice. Anyone that thinks oh, I can steal this phone is obviously an idiot since it will be rendered useless rather quickly.

 

[_mdavenport]

Wow, bold move. Makes sense though. I've often felt that the tether cables make for a very cluttered and un-Apple-like experience.

 

[Brookzy]

I was told by a member of staff they they are all retail units and they put the demo software on them when they arrive.

I've heard that too from a friend who is an ex-employee. Retail box, plugged into software that makes them display models.

 

[ginkobiloba]

Weird..

I think they have already started implementing this. A couple of weeks ago, i walked into an Apple Store here in Paris ( the one under the Louvre pyramid ), and on the two tables devoted to Apple watches, one with the watches under a glass display, and the other one had two watches, just sitting there, each one with two different brands next to them. I thought they took them away to show them to a client, but no, but they were just sitting there, with no employees directly watching them.
You could freely handle them, try them on, change the bands if you wanted. I did. Other people did. There were put there for that purpose obviously and there was no alarm system attached to them. Anyone could have slipped one of them in their pockets and walk away.

I thought that was very strange.
And honestly I highly doubt this experience is going to last very long...

 

[Gueeds]

I've seen people steal plenty of devices even with the tether on. Just need enough time to put it on Craigslist and they get a nice profit on the super hot merch.

 

[MrJM]

I've heard that too from a friend who is an ex-employee. Retail box, plugged into software that makes them display models.

Might explain why I haven't seen a single Jet Black Plus on display anywhere!!

 

[threesixty360]

When you make as much money as Apple do, any "wastage" you get you can just add to the marketing budget. It's so minor in value it's not worth thinking about.