While we knew the Brits were
looking Apple's way to help curb the nagging gadget theft problems still going on across the pond, it looks like Cupertino may have the ability to offer up a few solutions after a 2004
patent filing was reportedly awarded. According to AppleInsider, a US patent around "acceleration-based theft detection system" for movable devices was granted to Jobs & Co., and while we're still taking this with a grain of salt, it's not too surprising to hear of
Apple coming out with a more secure method to stop theft than that cutesy combination lock built into new iPods. The filing insinuates that an
accelerometer could be paired up with recognition software that could theoretically differentiate between normal bumps and ill intentions, and while specific hardware wasn't exactly covered, we can certainly assume that the more portable devices would get the anti-theft treatment first. All in all, the concept here seems fairly novel, but considering that using your Nike + iPod kit would probably cause all sorts of false alarms to go off using such a deterrent, we'll probably stick with the "toss gadget at larcenists' forehead" approach to keep our handhelds secure for now.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
brutha-man @ May 18th 2007 7:11AM
bound to fail. sure apple created the a great device iPod...but i think they're getiing ahead of themselves here.
my moustache @ May 18th 2007 7:31AM
What? How is this "bound to fail?"
If anything, it's apple evidently patenting an existing product - iAlertU has been doing this on new MacBooks and MacBook Pros since 2006.
It's actually a pretty good idea, and an interesting repurposing of technology that was implemented in the systems for an entirely different reason (HDD Shock Protection, IIRC)
I'm not sure about b-m's comments up there, but this is cool, and although I don't think it should be patentable by Apple at this point, it would make a welcome addition to OS X.
brutha-man @ May 18th 2007 7:39AM
what kind of sad person steals iPods anyway? ewww. steal something worth something
my moustache @ May 18th 2007 7:41AM
oh, I see. you're being paid to trash other companies.
Jack @ May 18th 2007 7:48AM
They should put in a self destruct system, just like that batch with the bad batteries had.
brutha-man @ May 18th 2007 7:49AM
uhhh...how about just offering free self defence classes?
MacNut @ May 18th 2007 8:00AM
A smart thief merely pockets the portable item and walks away instead of running.
Remember when car alarms came out? Instead of it being a skill to break in and steal cars, now thugs simply rob people at gunpoint for them.
What the iPhone security software should do is have more controls with sensitivity level, like a lockout timer and/or unusual phone number calls feature.
This way people can change their security so it's not the same for each iPhone where thieves can simply change tactics.
To beat a theif requires hiring one and Apple hasn't realized that yet.
L.Rawlins @ May 18th 2007 8:01AM
A step in the right direction, via a step in the wrong direction I think. How is patenting a promising anti-theft system helping the consumer?
This is like DRM for GBH.
I appreciate the sentiment, but not the implementation if the only devices that can incorporate the safety measures are Apple products. This should have been a multilateral filing between a majority of manufacturers, no?
Capitalising on public safety just doesn't sit well with me.
moe @ May 18th 2007 10:27AM
It's not exactly a matter of capitalizing "public safety". This technology, if it ever makes it out into the world, wouldn't be protecting people or the public, it'd be ensuring that the data on your iPod/iPhone/whatever wasn't being used for ill purposes.
Plus a savvy crook will still most likely be able to use their own computer to erase and start from scratch with the device, so it's not a deterrent from being robbed.
I'm not an Apple Fanboy but I also want to point out that this is how the economy functions: A company devotes R&D resources to come up with a technology. They patent the technology and use it for their intended devices. The company recoups the R&D cost and then licenses the technology to other companies, we all benefit.
Killer @ May 18th 2007 8:50AM
I think to solve the theft problem. Have the Ipod Self-destruct that will teach those thefts a lesson when shards of metal hit them in the face, when they turn on the ipod. lol
Plus, Apple can then make more money.
John Doe @ May 18th 2007 11:19AM
"I think to solve the theft problem. Have the Ipod Self-destruct that will teach those thefts a lesson when shards of metal hit them in the face, when they turn on the ipod. lol"
Preferably there is a time delayed feature so it goes off in the person's pocket. Loosing one of your nads could definitely be a deterrent from stealing an iPod again. :-D
Mark Studdock @ May 18th 2007 10:14AM
@ my moustache - if iAlertU came out in 2006 and this patent was filed in 2004 then iAlertU infringes on this patent...
John Doe @ May 18th 2007 11:12AM
Umm this has been done. On Mac laptops no less. Go to any software distribution site and look up theft. There are about half a dozen of these apps already out there. Personally I like the one that you arm and disarm the system with the MacBook's remote. I've been trying to figure out a way to change the sound to the car alarm chirp when you turn it on.
John Doe @ May 18th 2007 11:15AM
PS- Its also too bad that Mac laptop's speakers suck ass so badly or this feature would be more useful. Even on its loudest setting its nowhere near as distracting as what it would be on some of HP's laptops. It all comes back to Jobs and his damn fetish for 1" thick. Everything about the MBP is premium except for the internal sound which is a complete joke.
Mark @ May 18th 2007 12:19PM
wow... this sounds like a really, REALLY bad idea. how annoying is it gonna be when you're, say, running or bicycling and suddenly the alarm starts going off and you have to stop and enter the little password.
Nikita @ May 18th 2007 12:20PM
I thought this already existed for the MacBooks. http://www.orbicule.com/theftsensor/
steve @ May 18th 2007 4:36PM
why not just make it like the dawsons creek trapper keeper on south park
that way spikes stab the thieves hand when they touch it
Chuckles McGee @ May 18th 2007 6:46PM
This is just silly and expensive. A better idea:
Update itunes-
When a customer connects their ipod to itunes for the first time, they're given the option to register the ipod to their itunes account for theft-deterance. Anytime an ipod is connected to a computer for the first time, itunes checks the serial number with Apple's servers.
If the user's iPod is stolen, or even missing, the user can login to their account and report the iPod as stolen. The next time that iPod is connected to any new PC, red lights go off at Apple's servers, an email is sent to the user, the iPod is locked down and the offending PC's IP address is logged to possibly trace the iPod. The offender (probably an innocent consumer who bought the item on ebay) might have the option of mailing the ipod to an Apple address in addition to identifying the thief's buyer ID to avoid legal action. Ebay could then be notified of the ID and his account would be considered for a shutdown. The contact information provided to Paypal could be used to identify the thief and refund the user. Once the iPod was received by Apple, it would be mailed to the user's account address (preventing the offender from learning the user's address).
Obviously some criminal mastermind could devise a tedious iTunes hack and be working through a proxy server or the like, but this would certainly deter the common thug from stealing iPods for their own use or selling them off to unwitting consumers. The serial number can't be formatted or erased by normal means. Making a stolen iPod resellable would be a massive operation, requiring the development of hacked firmware and probably some soldering. While it wouldn't ensure the return of every iPod, it would be a cheap means to greatly reduce the appeal of iPod theft in the first place. Privacy concerns might be an issue, but only thieves need to worry.
Certainly, it's much more effective than the "check for stealing motions" plan, which would only be useful during a mugging with a struggle.
Anthony @ May 18th 2007 10:31PM
They I already have a program out for this that is free! It is called ialertU. The security mode turns on like a car alarm with the snap of the apple remote. And If the sensor goes off, so does the alarm, and it takes a picture and emails it to you! This is nothing new, but it would be nice if apple implemented it with its new computers.
Ken Westin @ Jun 14th 2007 1:46PM
Then there is GadgetTrak (www.gadgettheft.com) which is a bit more effective.