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Apple's infrared 'camera kill switch' patent application hits a nerve

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Re: Apple's infrared 'camera kill switch' patent application hits a nerve

#4
post #3
post #2

Maybe they patented it to stop anyone from implementing it, did you think of that?

After all, Apple does have a strong tradition of altruism!

Well, it would be bonkers for them to have this "feature" when no other handset manufacturer did.

Re: Apple's infrared 'camera kill switch' patent application hits a nerve

#5
post #2

Maybe they patented it to stop anyone from implementing it, did you think of that?

Yes you are right and the new bill won't be used against bloggers who embed a video. I'm afraid i've heard that song. I think Apple wants the content providers on its side (which is legit) so this can be another brick on its side against the rest. For that being valid i think they will have to enforce it.

Re: Apple's infrared 'camera kill switch' patent application hits a nerve

#6
post #4
post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

After all, Apple does have a strong tradition of altruism!

Well, it would be bonkers for them to have this "feature" when no other handset manufacturer did.

Other handset manufacturers could license the patent to use it, if Apple allowed it.

Re: Apple's infrared 'camera kill switch' patent application hits a nerve

#7
I could see police lobbying to have this kind of technology required in all mobile devices. Just look at the DMCA and how it is used to enforce anti-consumer technologies like region coding.

However, the IR technology described in the patent is so easily circumvented that it's hardly worth anything. So, that's good news if our country takes another (probably unsurprising) huge step in the dystopian direction.

Re: Apple's infrared 'camera kill switch' patent application hits a nerve

#8
It seems to me like you could use the "oppressive government" argument against most technological innovations, period:

- centralized postal system - "now the government can read your correspondence to other people"

- telephones invented - "now the government can listen to you talking to other people"

- invention of the Web - "now the government can track what you read, watch, etc"

- e-commerce takes off - "now the government can keep records on what you buy"

- GPS becomes popular in cars - "now the government can track where you drive"

- GPS becomes ubiquitous in cell phones - "now the government can track where you walk"

Perhaps we should consider more than just the worse possible way to use a technology when the idea of it is broached.

Re: Apple's infrared 'camera kill switch' patent application hits a nerve

#9
post #2

Maybe they patented it to stop anyone from implementing it, did you think of that?

They can make it expensive for somebody to implement the feature but they cannot stop anyone. Google for "United States vs Besser".

Re: Apple's infrared 'camera kill switch' patent application hits a nerve

#10

I could see police lobbying to have this kind of technology required in all mobile devices. Just look at the DMCA and how it is used to enforce anti-consumer technologies like region coding. However, the IR technology described in the patent is so easily circumvented that it's hardly worth anything. So, that's good news if our country takes another (probably unsurprising) huge step in the dystopian direction.

Yup...the radio (wi-fi, 4G, LTE etc) version of this patent might be just around the corner.
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