Give iPod Thieves an Unchargeable Brick 338
Posted
by
Zonk
from the this-ones-for-the-guy-that-stole-mine dept.
from the this-ones-for-the-guy-that-stole-mine dept.
Svippy writes "Apple has patented a technology for new generations of iPods that would detect when a user tries to operate the iPod on an unauthorised machine ... and will refuse to charge. Indefinitely. From the article: 'Every portable gadget with a rechargeable battery has a charging circuit that recognises when the external mains charger has been plugged in. It then manages the transfer of current to the battery. Apple's patent suggests that by attaching a "guardian circuit" to the charging circuit, it would be possible to block the charging process. When a device is plugged into an unauthorised computer, software would compare a security code in the device to a code buried in the software in the computer. Apple already employs a similar technology to "pair" iPods to iTunes running on a specific Mac or PC. If the codes do not match, then the guardian circuit could be triggered to prevent any further charging.'"
Re:weeee (Score:5, Informative)
B
Re:weeee (Score:5, Informative)
Re:weeee (Score:3, Informative)
They can be had for about $5US at Fry's.
Re:False positives (Score:3, Informative)
They've already got this in place to protect DRM'd music bought through the iTunes store, and as far as I can see it works perfectly well. You don't have to run around finding any little faux-stock-certificates, you don't have to call up an Apple representative and provide a justification for what you are doing. The Apple system is simple, permissive, and reasonably fool proof provided you have an email account that you can rely upon.
I will take a moment to remind people (Score:4, Informative)
False patent (Score:5, Informative)
Oh, yeah, Apple, um, good luck with that...