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TPM Security Chip For Your Cell Phone
pete314 writes "The Trusted Computing Group has unveiled that it is working on a mobile version of its TPM security chip. It should prevent the phone world from being hit by the same virus and hacking issues that face computers. However, the EFF is not amused, stating that the chip will be used for DRM, and could even limit which software the owner installs on his cell phone."
These systems are a two edged sword. The more open a system is the easier it is for malicious developers to exploit them. We could easily end up in a situation where in the name of securing systems the big players will lock out smaller players from the market by digitally controlling what applications are allowed to run on these systems. We may be on the dawn of an age where real monopoly's in computing are about to develop, where start-ups face real physical barriers that stop them from entering a market.
The scariest part about this is, consumers will probably go for these systems as they will be hassle free, safe and free of worry. The only worry consumers will have is that the content of these systems is not only controlled for their own protection but also controlled to limit what they can and can't do, for alot of people I think the costs will be outwayed by the benefits.
It depends on what you have. From what you say above, it sounds like you have a device running Windows Mobile. The code signing feature is fantastic inasmuch as it lets *you* decide whether or not you trust an app, and how much you want to trust it, essentially. I have an Audiovox SMT 5600 (aka HTC Typhoon) which exhibits the same behavior. Heck, I can even write apps for it in Visual Studio 2005 and dump them onto the phone. No fuss, no muss. My old Sidekick (well, actually the fourth Sidekick I had; I got unlucky in terms of catastrophic hardware failures) would only run extra apps that were on Danger and T-Mobile's pre-approved list. Not my idea of fun.
No, but I used to work for Microsoft.
Well you certainly have a resonable point about being "joe consumer" and wanting to just get something that works. But the the rights of joe comsumer are exacty what is at stake. When the corporations (I am not making a political statement) create a device under the TCP they WILL contend that it is illegal to create software for the device. The DMCA has a provision that allows for the reverse engineering of a device for the process of creating software. However it is the process of creating software/development and its inherent nature that will come under scrutiny. On the bright side the TCP is not legislation. It is a consortium (I guess a kind way of saying colusion) of companies. If the TCP is fully realized the consumer will be morbidly limited to what they can actually do with the device. Ergo over time you will pay much more money for functionality because essentially the open source community will be unable to legally create, distribute and refine software.
The death of DRM is imminent. It might take some time... but it'll come for sure.
Picture this - all mobile manufacturers will start shipping DRM enabled phones. Manufacturers will tie-up with content providers, and most of the content being provided will be DRMed.
After a sizeable number of consumers are stuck with DRMed schmuck which makes them pay $$$ for every time they press a button on the phone... there'll be a HUGE demand for a non-DRMed phone.
At that point of time if any company comes up with a non-DRMed phone with enough non-DRMed content to make the consumer moderately happy - it will strike gold!
For this to work - consumers need to unhappy about DRM... that's almost like a social revolution - and revolutions take time!
Nandz.
I posted this already, many times. But regardless, I am going to repeat myself.
I simply do not accept to pay when buying something with DRM as if I were buying it but am in reality RENTING IT.
By that I mean that if I BUY an apartment, then I am allowed to paint the walls the color that pleases me because it is MINE, I own it and can do as I please with MY apartment. However, if I RENT an apartment, then I must ASK the OWNER of the apartment for his/her permission to paint the walls. If I own it I do not need to ask, it is mine to do as I please. If I rent, then it is NOT mine and I must ask the REAL owner.
Now, with DRM, I am paying like I am buying, I am told I am buying, but the reality remains I still have to get someone else to give me permission to do as I please with my device. And if I have to do that, then I do not feel like I am the real owner.
9/11: Never forget it was a false-flag operation