Apple developing program to turn off all camera use!

[Travis Munroe]

This is innovative on their end and I am sure they can make some big $ selling it.
I think I am on the fence ... with that being said, i guess rules are rules and if I am not to take pictures then I shouldn't take pictures???

http://rt.com/usa/news/apple-patent-phone-cell/

Apple has been working on a plan that will allow concert halls, sporting arenas and other venues to install infrared sensors that will detect iPhones going into camera mode and promptly disable the device’s ability to snap a shot or film a video. Explicitly, the patent states that it will use new technology to "capture a second image that includes an infrared signal with encoded data" and from there could shut-down a phone's recording capability or else introduce a compulsory watermark.

[KTrain]

It's a patent and Apple has thousands of them. I wouldn't get up in arms about it just yet. I'd love to see the parents going mental trying to record their kids recital only to have the camera continually shut off.

[dissentowner]

Apple does that and they will kill sales of the iphone.

[FanIn80]

I think y'all need to relax. It's just part of a patent that someone dug up. There's a million things like this in every patent.

[Hemi-Cuda]

Apple would be digging their own grave for the iPhone if they ever attempted this, since Android is already starting to win the smartphone war with a platform that is getting even more open, not restricted

[SebC]

This is why I hate Apple. Want to take music off your iPod? Sorry not allowed. Keep your device but get a new battery? Nope. Play a video without converting it to Apple's format? Nope. Flash? Nope.

I want to control my devices, not for them to control me.

[3 Justin 3]

The hell is this? You'd think they wouldn't be stupid enough ever to implement something like this so we shouldn't fret.

But honestly, I think when my contract is done in 2 years I am going Android. Unless the iPhone 13 is cool enough for me to stay.

[llama64]

It's not "Apple itself can shut off your phone whenever they feel like it". It's "This area is fitted with a transmitter the designates that no device (that follows the protocol) can record in it's vicinity" - ie: concerts, locker rooms, etc.

In a few years EVERY phone is going to have this technology. Think about it - why the hell would Apple do this voluntarily themselves unless there was pressure from content producers or law makers? To deliberately invest R&D into sabotaging their devices and creating ill will makes zero sense - but grabbing a piece of the licensing pie of something that seems like an obvious legislative future... that makes sense to me at least.

It's not Apple trying to restrict your freedom - it's content producers/bureaucrats that create this pressure. Just my read on it - nothing to get upset about really. There are other bigger reasons to have a hate on for Apple this this patent...

[Coys1882]

Your post would make sense if apple didn't have a track record of doing whatever it wants.

[Rathji]

Originally Posted by Coys1882

Your post would make sense if apple didn't have a track record of doing whatever it wants that puts tons of money in its pockets

The only reason this makes sense as a patent, is because if there is pressure, as llama suggests, from lawmakers/lobby groups to restrict the ability of ALL phones to record in certain venues that results in laws being passed forcing this type of tech to be put in phones, then it gives Apple an advantage.

If I was a company like Apple, I would have 2 dozen guys whose sole job it was to come up with patentable ideas that relate, or could eventually relate, to my product. I have no doubt that this is what that is.

GO through the lists of patents held by any major electronics company and I would bet you would find many odd patents like this one.

[WilsonFourTwo]

I'd be more impressed if the technology stopped the phones from ringing......

[sclitheroe]

Originally Posted by Rathji

The only reason this makes sense as a patent, is because if there is pressure, as llama suggests, from lawmakers/lobby groups to restrict the ability of ALL phones to record in certain venues that results in laws being passed forcing this type of tech to be put in phones, then it gives Apple an advantage.

If I was a company like Apple, I would have 2 dozen guys whose sole job it was to come up with patentable ideas that relate, or could eventually relate, to my product. I have no doubt that this is what that is.

GO through the lists of patents held by any major electronics company and I would bet you would find many odd patents like this one.

It could also be a defensive patent - Apple is in the business of selling phones, which they do well because they appeal to consumers. By patenting a tech like this, they can block efforts in the industry to use this tech to make their phones less appealing, by refusing to license it.