Apple has patented technology to disable selected functions of iPhone at will
It was revealed today that Apple has the technology to selectively disable functions on the iPhone. Infra-red sensors would detect an iPhone and a signal would be sent to the iPhone to disable the camera function.
Apple applied for the patent over a year and a half ago, so this should not be new news. However, it is making headlines today.
This technology may have been developed so Apple could possibly use it as a bargaining chip in its negotiations with music and video companies for increasing iTunes sales. Apple may think that decreasing the videos taken by individuals and posted on YouTube will increase iTunes sales, although I don’t believe this is their motive; most videos recorded at concerts on mobile phones are usually shaky, poor quality, underexposed video with terrible sound.
Maybe Apple thought this feature would benefit concert promoters as they would not have to confiscate iPhones to prevent unauthorized recording. In fact, this function could also be used in other venues to prevent video recording, such as bathrooms and shower areas.
This technology could also be used by the TSA to prevent recording all those embarrassing “groping” videos that seem to spreading across the internet. Police officers could also use it to prevent perps from recording their own arrests.
Ultimately, this technology could be used to turn off both the camera and the internet access by government censors.
There is no word from Apple if the code is already present inside the iPhones and iPads just waiting for the proper IR code to arrive.
Dear Fred Hoot,
This sentence is a hoot:
“The iPhone would receive an infra-red sensors would detect that the iPhone and a signal would be sent to the iPhone to disable the camera function.”
Not an English Major, I take it?
Way to go Apple! What an evil company!
Corporations could use it to hide crimes. Governments could use it to commit genocide. The possibilities are wonderfully limitless. It’s one of those weird things about technology, that developers seem unable to grasp… the extent of evil that it will be used for. They tend to be blinded by just one narrow vision of the “good” it can do.
Add a comOne of the many and most recent reasons why I would NEVER own and Apple product. The public is totally stupid to the antics and manipulation of Steve Jobs. I am 58 years old and have been involved with the computer business since 1981 and can’t see why anybody with any intelligence would buy an Apple product. YES… they do occasionally have a good product, but all the strings attached are simply to manipulate you. To resolve this issue, simply buy something else and bite the bullet if it doesn’t quite do every thing you want. A good analogy would be: How does it feel to have someone else’s hands in your pocket? I find this latest “Jobs-job”extremely repugnant.
Hi Carlos,
You are right about the English major part; Advanced Math and Music Composition were my majors.
It should have read: “Infra-red sensors would detect an iPhone and a signal would be sent to the iPhone to disable the camera function.”
Thanks for the feedback!
Fred