Give iPod Thieves an Unchargeable Brick 338
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.'"
False positives (Score:5, Insightful)
weeee (Score:1, Insightful)
If I can't add, remove, edit songs on any machine I am not interested. I tried open source software for managing it, and that didn't work well at all.
Also, how would this work for reselling? I guess you resell with the same charger, or something.
It would be unfortunate (Score:5, Insightful)
Not the only use (Score:5, Insightful)
Dan East
Bad idea (Score:5, Insightful)
Unbricking the iPod when it's connected to an authorized computer would mitigate, but not solve, the problem.
Thieves? (Score:2, Insightful)
iPods and multiple machines (Score:4, Insightful)
Now, on top of everything, it's going to refuse to charge unless I show that I am the owner on all three? Or maybe, I can only charge it on one?
Either way, this is only making a bad problem worse.
Bad enough that iTunes has more than once destroyed my music backup because I tried added music from another machine. Now it's also going to not let me use my iPod?
Nice. And here I thought Apple was about usability.
Re:False positives (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:weeee (Score:3, Insightful)
If this is true, it seems like a really retarded idea to me. The times when I want an iPod the most -- when I'm on a trip -- are exactly the times when I'm not going to be near my machine and exactly the time when I'll need to charge it more.
In other words.... (Score:1, Insightful)
Oh please, twist the story and prove to me why this is really a good thing for the vast majority of users.
OMG, think of all the stolen iPods!!! Do that many iPods really get stolen where this is needed? If so, wouldn't a lock function where some type of password or some specific thumb wheel action is required be a better option like all cell phones have?
great idea (Score:5, Insightful)
Um... (Score:5, Insightful)
Something in this article seems fishy and I don't think we're getting the full story of Apple's intentions, because the whole thing makes zero sense to me.
Re:possible solutions (Score:2, Insightful)
Got a soldering iron? (Score:4, Insightful)
Yeah, it means cracking open the device, but if you've stolen it, there's a good chance you're not going to care all that much about some pry marking on the case.
So my car charger is not authorized? (Score:4, Insightful)
this is horrible (Score:3, Insightful)
what if I have miultiple computers? (Score:2, Insightful)
I hope they have a plan in mind to make sure people are not locked out of their own devices.
Excellent business case (Score:3, Insightful)
1. The device is 'attached' to a particular person's computer(s)
2. The device and user is known to the manufacturer, eg via iTunes
3. As the iPod can be effectively rendered useless if someone else buys or uses it, you can't buy one 2nd hand, so you have to fork out for a new one.
4. Profit!
I suggest buying AAPL immediately!
Re:weeee (Score:3, Insightful)
Hopefully it's well thought-out (Score:2, Insightful)
opt-in future proof protection (Score:3, Insightful)
option 1) the ipod requires you to enter a password to charge or access it on a "foreign" computer. Not sure why charging matters here however.
option 2) the ipod simply won't charge on a foreign computer IF you opt-in to that feature. One would make that default off. But if enough people used that aspect, it might become a theft deterrent. plus it's something that could be enabled later on, even if there's no great ipod crime wave right now, and thus no perceived need.
For example, one could do it like the firmware password protection all macs have but is off by default. Of course it's not very effective for hardware theft because it can be overridden by anyone with possession of the computer. It's mainly for highetened data protection from people with casual opportunistic access. But if one were to implement it so that it could not be overridden except by apple, then I could see this working on ipods. Since ipods are seldom as mission critical as laptops, having one get locked and have to be sent in for repair is not as great a burden as it would be for the laptop.
Er, Stupid idea? (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:False positives (Score:3, Insightful)
I could only imagine it working only if you try working directly with an iTunes aware computer.
If you connect it to an in-car charger there is no iTunes running from the car battery, so no comparison is possible at all.
Developed right it wouldn't be a big deal and really could work.
Re:False positives (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Got a soldering iron? (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Bad idea (Score:2, Insightful)
Why are so many people getting this wrong? (Score:5, Insightful)
It has nothing to do with the iPod only working with specific, Apple-branded, chargers. That would be stupid.
Re:False positives (Score:1, Insightful)
Re:False positives (Score:3, Insightful)
When I read the article I was struck how this this technique was not that novel or even innovative since this technique is really all about what to do when two supposed mating devices detect that their codes do not match (sort of like modern car keys) and for this they get a patent? Talk about obvious but then again it appears you can get a patent on just about anything in the US. Sorry I did not look at the actual patent, I don't really want a headache since all patents are written in legalese which is not really compatible to a professional engineers thought processes.
iPod been stolen? (Score:2, Insightful)
Ha! You really showed him. I'm willing to bet that soon, with more and more advanced technology, crime will be completely impossible!