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Apple patents system for iOS devices to prevent image and video capturing

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31–40 of 59 posts

Re: Apple patents system for iOS devices to prevent image and video capturing

#31
post #18

I want this to go into the iPhone 5. If it does, I can think of about a million ways to troll the general public with it. Imagine, little solar-powered IR LEDs that you could ninja-drop in places (like...an Apple store) that would broadcast "Hello, you are photographing a copy of The Hurt Locker". This would make the best hidden-camera show ever (though you'd have to record it with a non-iPhone).

It mentioned that you could disable recording for a period of time. What if you set the LEDs to disable recording for several days or even weeks.

Re: Apple patents system for iOS devices to prevent image and video capturing

#32
post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

No, I think they should license it to HTC and all the other Android handset manufacturers, giving them one more bullet point in their long list of features that the iPhone lacks. There's a patent. That much is (apparently) fact. Everything else is speculation. Is it really worth getting worked up over things that haven't happened and may never happen? Finally, if this were to come to pass, there's a very easy solutio…

| edw: No, I think they should license it to HTC and all the other Android handset manufacturers, given them one more feature bullet point in their long list of features that the iPhone lacks. What are you talking about? To follow your absurd scenario, you think if Apple gave this bizarre patent away, but none of their others, that the EFF should then turn around and backstab the inventors and license it to their riv…

For what it'a worth, my comment ends on a very "Meh, who cares?" note. I don't know where that puts me in the context of your agonizing over our society's depressing descent into Manichaean dichotomies.

P.S. My suggestion was intentionally absurd. I think it's more likely that, like someone else suggested, this patent would be used to prevent people from exploiting such systems.

Re: Apple patents system for iOS devices to prevent image and video capturing

#33
post #2

Now just imagine it being used at political events or to suppress collection of evidence of abuse at demonstrations. Edit: Probably worth noting that were this to take off it would probably also be embedded in every TV out there.

Now just imagine if people went around trying to scare each other with wild speculation based on scarce evidence and no rational arguments. What would that be like?

Re: Apple patents system for iOS devices to prevent image and video capturing

#35
post #25

The patent was filed December 2, 2009 when the 3gs was the latest and greatest iPhone. I'd be surprised if you see this on an iPhone near you anytime soon. And if the powers that be try to use it to repress Apple users, there are tons of other devices out there. No need to get alarmed.

Unfortunately there aren't any other smart phones that I could recommend for my mom in good conscience. I haven't tried WP7 yet which actually looks like it's made for humans. Unlike my Nexus One which is no good for mom yet for a number of reasons.

Re: Apple patents system for iOS devices to prevent image and video capturing

#36
post #30
post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Is it really worth getting worked up over things that haven't happened and may never happen? A guy enters your office with a machine gun. He doesn't fire, but keeps holding it and looking around like he's looking for someone. What do you do? Ask him "how may I help you, sir?" > there's a very easy solution: a filter. You will see cases that cover the lens with an IR filter. This works until someone passes legislati…

Oh.. I get it... I was criticizing Apple... It's even worse than when I criticize Microsoft between 9 and 18 PST...

You really think sheets of visible light transparent but IR opaque plastic are going to be outlawed? Do you think your favorite band is really going to allow such a device to be enabled during one of their shows, thus pissing off their fans? Do you really think some company is going to bring a DMCA circumvention device suit against iPhone case manufacturers?

Are you willing to wager? I'm feeling lucky: I'll bet you $100 that ten years from now you'll be able to real-time stream 3D holographic recordings of the Rolling Stones directly to your Facebook friends.

Re: Apple patents system for iOS devices to prevent image and video capturing

#37
post #2

Now just imagine it being used at political events or to suppress collection of evidence of abuse at demonstrations. Edit: Probably worth noting that were this to take off it would probably also be embedded in every TV out there.

Probably worth noting that were this to take off it would probably also be embedded in every TV out there.

If it's infrared, you can always find and cover the emitter.

Re: Apple patents system for iOS devices to prevent image and video capturing

#38
post #18

I want this to go into the iPhone 5. If it does, I can think of about a million ways to troll the general public with it. Imagine, little solar-powered IR LEDs that you could ninja-drop in places (like...an Apple store) that would broadcast "Hello, you are photographing a copy of The Hurt Locker". This would make the best hidden-camera show ever (though you'd have to record it with a non-iPhone).

Combining the IR LEDs with throwies ( http://graffitiresearchlab.com/projects/led-throwies/ ) would be ideal.

Re: Apple patents system for iOS devices to prevent image and video capturing

#39
post #37
post #2

Now just imagine it being used at political events or to suppress collection of evidence of abuse at demonstrations. Edit: Probably worth noting that were this to take off it would probably also be embedded in every TV out there.

Probably worth noting that were this to take off it would probably also be embedded in every TV out there. If it's infrared, you can always find and cover the emitter.

Good point. In your home yes, but not everywhere.

Re: Apple patents system for iOS devices to prevent image and video capturing

#40
Different take: this would allow people to carry iPhones into company buildings (eg. service centres belonging to banks, government offices) and areas where camera-phones are banned for security reasons. The bank I used to work for banned camera phones from their offices, I imagine many other companies do the same. I would think twice about buying a phone I can't take to work. Or, corporations might rule out iPhones when choosing a model for the company phone. This would let Apple back into that (fairly large) market. Possibly.
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