Comments on: Apple granted patent for location-based camera phone disabling http://boingboing.net/2012/08/30/apple-granted-patent-for-locat.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Sat, 25 May 2013 19:20:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: $16781674 http://boingboing.net/2012/08/30/apple-granted-patent-for-locat.html#comment-1524181 $16781674 Mon, 03 Sep 2012 20:52:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=178841#comment-1524181 Yeah...and someone, somewhere will find a way to do it on Android too. Apple may be a big corporation, but guess what? So is google.  Yeah…and someone, somewhere will find a way to do it on Android too. Apple may be a big corporation, but guess what? So is google. 

]]> By: fjpoblam http://boingboing.net/2012/08/30/apple-granted-patent-for-locat.html#comment-1523690 fjpoblam Sun, 02 Sep 2012 13:23:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=178841#comment-1523690 I would think, this. There are *lots* of superb hackers in the world! Once it is determined (if it ever happens) that Apple has placed this patented mechanism into iPhones, I'm sure hackers will be hot on a way to break it. Right? If it can't be broke, Apple may *quickly* lose a lot of market share. Right? Else, if *all* phone makers are doing it, we're living in a totalarian state and it won't make a hill of beans difference. Right? I would think, this. There are *lots* of superb hackers in the world! Once it is determined (if it ever happens) that Apple has placed this patented mechanism into iPhones, I’m sure hackers will be hot on a way to break it. Right? If it can’t be broke, Apple may *quickly* lose a lot of market share. Right? Else, if *all* phone makers are doing it, we’re living in a totalarian state and it won’t make a hill of beans difference. Right?

]]> By: steveo67 http://boingboing.net/2012/08/30/apple-granted-patent-for-locat.html#comment-1523682 steveo67 Sun, 02 Sep 2012 10:42:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=178841#comment-1523682 So Apple (and Microsoft) appear to have patented Locales idea of many years back. I bet the Champagne flowed in their office when this came out. Can't help but think Apple have become the polar opposite their first advert and are laying the foundation of a 'Demolition Man' style society. Joy-joy. So Apple (and Microsoft) appear to have patented Locales idea of many years back. I bet the Champagne flowed in their office when this came out. Can’t help but think Apple have become the polar opposite their first advert and are laying the foundation of a ‘Demolition Man’ style society. Joy-joy.

]]> By: Sirkowski http://boingboing.net/2012/08/30/apple-granted-patent-for-locat.html#comment-1523298 Sirkowski Sat, 01 Sep 2012 04:38:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=178841#comment-1523298 Another reason not to own anything by Apple. Another reason not to own anything by Apple.

]]> By: John Napsterista http://boingboing.net/2012/08/30/apple-granted-patent-for-locat.html#comment-1523016 John Napsterista Fri, 31 Aug 2012 20:43:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=178841#comment-1523016 Hey, remember when Apple used to rage against the machine and was all about don’t be evil and shit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYecfV3ubP8 Hey, remember when Apple used to rage against the machine and was all about don’t be evil and shit:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYecfV3ubP8

]]> By: oasisob1 http://boingboing.net/2012/08/30/apple-granted-patent-for-locat.html#comment-1522759 oasisob1 Fri, 31 Aug 2012 18:16:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=178841#comment-1522759  Perhaps they are patenting the idea, intending never to use it, and to prevent anyone else from ever using it? Maybe Apple is going to save us all?  Perhaps they are patenting the idea, intending never to use it, and to prevent anyone else from ever using it? Maybe Apple is going to save us all?

]]> By: stuck411 http://boingboing.net/2012/08/30/apple-granted-patent-for-locat.html#comment-1522635 stuck411 Fri, 31 Aug 2012 17:11:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=178841#comment-1522635 True. Android is open source, like Linux. You can already get odd little distros for your rooted European phones. True. Android is open source, like Linux. You can already get odd little distros for your rooted European phones.

]]> By: stuck411 http://boingboing.net/2012/08/30/apple-granted-patent-for-locat.html#comment-1522632 stuck411 Fri, 31 Aug 2012 17:09:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=178841#comment-1522632 Was going to say that there's services/apps that take your photos or video instantly and post them for you. If your phone is seized it no longer matters. It has helped several in the Middle East when it came to issues as well as people here in the States. Was going to say that there’s services/apps that take your photos or video instantly and post them for you. If your phone is seized it no longer matters. It has helped several in the Middle East when it came to issues as well as people here in the States.

]]> By: GrumpySteen http://boingboing.net/2012/08/30/apple-granted-patent-for-locat.html#comment-1522561 GrumpySteen Fri, 31 Aug 2012 16:03:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=178841#comment-1522561 Automatic uploads prevent the police/security/military/mugger/rapist from forcing you to delete the only copy of a photo or video at gunpoint. Automatic uploads prevent the police/security/military/mugger/rapist from forcing you to delete the only copy of a photo or video at gunpoint.

]]> By: edthehippie http://boingboing.net/2012/08/30/apple-granted-patent-for-locat.html#comment-1522523 edthehippie Fri, 31 Aug 2012 15:35:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=178841#comment-1522523 surely this patent is invalid due to obviousness ?? although , i suppose , that evil is patentable !!  surely this patent is invalid due to obviousness ?? although , i suppose , that evil is patentable !! 

]]> By: Roger Frutiger http://boingboing.net/2012/08/30/apple-granted-patent-for-locat.html#comment-1522503 Roger Frutiger Fri, 31 Aug 2012 15:23:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=178841#comment-1522503  iOS already lets an admin disable the camera on the phone entirely. This patent mentions that this feature would be a policy enforced on a phone. With iOS policy is purely opt-in, I don't think this has anything to do with the MPAA or RIAA, but would be very useful for a company trying to protect products that are still in development. I think the scenario goes like this work assigns you a phone or BYOD to get on the network you have to agree to this policy set that sets up your email and wireless networks, but will also disable the camera while you are on premise. Once you go home go ahead and take as many pictures of your cat as you want.  iOS already lets an admin disable the camera on the phone entirely. This patent mentions that this feature would be a policy enforced on a phone. With iOS policy is purely opt-in, I don’t think this has anything to do with the MPAA or RIAA, but would be very useful for a company trying to protect products that are still in development. I think the scenario goes like this work assigns you a phone or BYOD to get on the network you have to agree to this policy set that sets up your email and wireless networks, but will also disable the camera while you are on premise. Once you go home go ahead and take as many pictures of your cat as you want.

]]> By: Zig Rivers http://boingboing.net/2012/08/30/apple-granted-patent-for-locat.html#comment-1522497 Zig Rivers Fri, 31 Aug 2012 15:18:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=178841#comment-1522497 Nick, sad to say, but the journalists are already restricted.  No pics from two wars, for instance....only the ones where it generates either sympathy or support for the wars. Nick, sad to say, but the journalists are already restricted.  No pics from two wars, for instance….only the ones where it generates either sympathy or support for the wars.

]]> By: Sasha@librtee http://boingboing.net/2012/08/30/apple-granted-patent-for-locat.html#comment-1522454 Sasha@librtee Fri, 31 Aug 2012 14:39:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=178841#comment-1522454 Only Apple would patent something that is specifically anti-consumer. Oops, Android would infringe if they used this, I guess Android can't have this obnoxious 'feature.' Too bad, right? Only Apple would patent something that is specifically anti-consumer.

Oops, Android would infringe if they used this, I guess Android can’t have this obnoxious ‘feature.’ Too bad, right?

]]> By: Ryan Lenethen http://boingboing.net/2012/08/30/apple-granted-patent-for-locat.html#comment-1522412 Ryan Lenethen Fri, 31 Aug 2012 13:27:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=178841#comment-1522412 MPAA, first thing to go would be disabled in threatres for sure. RIAA, first thing to go would be disabled during concerts  for sure. MPAA, first thing to go would be disabled in threatres for sure.

RIAA, first thing to go would be disabled during concerts  for sure.

]]> By: Nathan Hornby http://boingboing.net/2012/08/30/apple-granted-patent-for-locat.html#comment-1522368 Nathan Hornby Fri, 31 Aug 2012 08:51:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=178841#comment-1522368 Because of patents that represent features that no ones using, or even talking about using? Whatever keeps you asleep at night. Because of patents that represent features that no ones using, or even talking about using? Whatever keeps you asleep at night.

]]> By: retepslluerb http://boingboing.net/2012/08/30/apple-granted-patent-for-locat.html#comment-1522367 retepslluerb Fri, 31 Aug 2012 08:46:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=178841#comment-1522367 Actually, every cell-phone carrier tracks you to an astonishing degree and with uncanny accuracy anyway. Actually, every cell-phone carrier tracks you to an astonishing degree and with uncanny accuracy anyway.

]]> By: retepslluerb http://boingboing.net/2012/08/30/apple-granted-patent-for-locat.html#comment-1522365 retepslluerb Fri, 31 Aug 2012 08:44:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=178841#comment-1522365 Open hardware? Where? n  Open hardware? Where?
n 

]]> By: retepslluerb http://boingboing.net/2012/08/30/apple-granted-patent-for-locat.html#comment-1522363 retepslluerb Fri, 31 Aug 2012 08:41:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=178841#comment-1522363 If you really wanted to implement this limitation, they make having GPS on a prerequisite for taking photos.  If you really wanted to implement this limitation, they make having GPS on a prerequisite for taking photos. 

]]> By: Nathan Hornby http://boingboing.net/2012/08/30/apple-granted-patent-for-locat.html#comment-1522362 Nathan Hornby Fri, 31 Aug 2012 08:40:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=178841#comment-1522362 You know you can jailbreak iPhones, right? Also worth noting that Apple has a million patents they don't use. Wake me up when this is a feature and not just an idea. Then I might consider an inferior alternative. You know you can jailbreak iPhones, right?

Also worth noting that Apple has a million patents they don’t use. Wake me up when this is a feature and not just an idea. Then I might consider an inferior alternative.

]]> By: retepslluerb http://boingboing.net/2012/08/30/apple-granted-patent-for-locat.html#comment-1522361 retepslluerb Fri, 31 Aug 2012 08:39:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=178841#comment-1522361 It disables the GPS, too. One some models, at least. Depends on the chip and the implementation. It disables the GPS, too. One some models, at least. Depends on the chip and the implementation.

]]> By: retepslluerb http://boingboing.net/2012/08/30/apple-granted-patent-for-locat.html#comment-1522360 retepslluerb Fri, 31 Aug 2012 08:37:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=178841#comment-1522360 Well the best camera is the one that's there. What's inexcusable is people holding a camera at arm's length when it has a perfectly usable viewfinder.  Well the best camera is the one that’s there.

What’s inexcusable is people holding a camera at arm’s length when it has a perfectly usable viewfinder. 

]]> By: retepslluerb http://boingboing.net/2012/08/30/apple-granted-patent-for-locat.html#comment-1522359 retepslluerb Fri, 31 Aug 2012 08:35:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=178841#comment-1522359 Not necessarily a complete refutation.  At least for some time, it would    be sensible o install a non-German driver with some printers because those limited the pages per minute.  Faster printers paid higher dues to VG Wort. Not necessarily a complete refutation. 

At least for some time, it would    be sensible o install a non-German driver with some printers because those limited the pages per minute.  Faster printers paid higher dues to VG Wort.

]]> By: retepslluerb http://boingboing.net/2012/08/30/apple-granted-patent-for-locat.html#comment-1522358 retepslluerb Fri, 31 Aug 2012 08:31:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=178841#comment-1522358 It is an unjustifiable concept.  But it's kind of employed in real life, already. Some countries limit their cars to slow speeds  (111 mph, for example)      - electronically. At least in Japan some cars can void that limit when the car determines that it is on a race track. It is an unjustifiable concept. 

But it’s kind of employed in real life, already. Some countries limit their cars to slow speeds  (111 mph, for example)      - electronically. At least in Japan some cars can void that limit when the car determines that it is on a race track.

]]> By: retepslluerb http://boingboing.net/2012/08/30/apple-granted-patent-for-locat.html#comment-1522357 retepslluerb Fri, 31 Aug 2012 08:27:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=178841#comment-1522357 Yep. Old old (pre Mac OS X) DVD player on Macs simply drew a rectangle of a specific gren color for that reason - the rest happened in the graphics card.  IIRC  one could mess with that by choosing the same colour as a background image. Yep. Old old (pre Mac OS X) DVD player on Macs simply drew a rectangle of a specific gren color for that reason – the rest happened in the graphics card. 

IIRC  one could mess with that by choosing the same colour as a background image.

]]> By: retepslluerb http://boingboing.net/2012/08/30/apple-granted-patent-for-locat.html#comment-1522356 retepslluerb Fri, 31 Aug 2012 08:22:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=178841#comment-1522356 And how do you distinguish a jailbroken iPhone from a normal one?  And how do you distinguish a jailbroken iPhone from a normal one? 

]]> By: Michael Smith http://boingboing.net/2012/08/30/apple-granted-patent-for-locat.html#comment-1522349 Michael Smith Fri, 31 Aug 2012 07:47:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=178841#comment-1522349 A version of this general idea uses a simple optical signal which will be detected by the camera firmware. A version of this general idea uses a simple optical signal which will be detected by the camera firmware.

]]> By: Michael Smith http://boingboing.net/2012/08/30/apple-granted-patent-for-locat.html#comment-1522348 Michael Smith Fri, 31 Aug 2012 07:44:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=178841#comment-1522348 The only people who do that are nasty virus spreading hackers who insist on using "insecure" software. The only people who do that are nasty virus spreading hackers who insist on using “insecure” software.

]]> By: Wiki-Truths http://boingboing.net/2012/08/30/apple-granted-patent-for-locat.html#comment-1522338 Wiki-Truths Fri, 31 Aug 2012 07:02:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=178841#comment-1522338 Fuck this. I stopped updating my iphone so I'll still be able to jailbreak it at some point. I paid $500 for this thing - don't tell me how or when I can use it. You're already tracking me - that's not enough?  Fuck this. I stopped updating my iphone so I’ll still be able to jailbreak it at some point. I paid $500 for this thing – don’t tell me how or when I can use it. You’re already tracking me – that’s not enough? 

]]> By: teapot http://boingboing.net/2012/08/30/apple-granted-patent-for-locat.html#comment-1522334 teapot Fri, 31 Aug 2012 06:56:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=178841#comment-1522334 >Scan on Canoscan photocopier >Crop and print in Photoshop >Print on Xerox printer Seems to work OK for Australian currency: http://img855.imageshack.us/img855/1852/fake10s.jpg >Scan on Canoscan photocopier
>Crop and print in Photoshop
>Print on Xerox printer

Seems to work OK for Australian currency:
http://img855.imageshack.us/img855/1852/fake10s.jpg

]]> By: teapot http://boingboing.net/2012/08/30/apple-granted-patent-for-locat.html#comment-1522331 teapot Fri, 31 Aug 2012 06:31:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=178841#comment-1522331 Even now the only phones that the US govt. can buy are BlackBerry devices as they are the only ones with comprehensive enough security. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BlackBerry#Use_by_government_forces "The high encryption standard of BlackBerry smartphones and the PlayBook tablet allow them to be the only consumer handheld devices certified for use by US Government agencies." Even now the only phones that the US govt. can buy are BlackBerry devices as they are the only ones with comprehensive enough security.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BlackBerry#Use_by_government_forces

“The high encryption standard of BlackBerry smartphones and the PlayBook tablet allow them to be the only consumer handheld devices certified for use by US Government agencies.”

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