Stolen IPOD to be a brick for thieves
July 28th, 2007 by Annkur
“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.
According to Apple, this type of limitation would “serve as a deterrent to theft,” and while we can only assume that it would be applied first to the iPhone and iPod, the application does insinuate that other handheld, rechargeable devices could eventually benefit from the invention.
Every portable gadget with a rechargeable battery has a charging circuit that recognizes 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.
Update: We haven’t seen this technology in the New iPods that were recently announced. Hopefully we will see it in the future. (In iPods as well as other Apple products)
From Engadget
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Categories: Apple, Concept / Educative | Tags: apple innovation, innovation, ipod, ipod security, patents, Security
[...] The patent filing goes to great heights with DNA samples and voice patterns included in the biometric check aswell. This is surely something a decade away IMO! Till then lets wait for the iPhone to turn brick if stolen. [...]
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