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Give iPod Thieves an Unchargeable Brick

Posted by Zonk on from the this-ones-for-the-guy-that-stole-mine dept.

Svippy writes "Apple has patented a technology for new generations of iPods that would detect when a user tries to operate the iPod on an unauthorised machine ... and will refuse to charge. Indefinitely. From the article: 'Every portable gadget with a rechargeable battery has a charging circuit that recognises when the external mains charger has been plugged in. It then manages the transfer of current to the battery. Apple's patent suggests that by attaching a "guardian circuit" to the charging circuit, it would be possible to block the charging process. When a device is plugged into an unauthorised computer, software would compare a security code in the device to a code buried in the software in the computer. Apple already employs a similar technology to "pair" iPods to iTunes running on a specific Mac or PC. If the codes do not match, then the guardian circuit could be triggered to prevent any further charging.'"

14 of 338 comments (clear)

  1. False positives by sleekware · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I can imagine this will raise a lot of false positives. It reminds me of Windows Genuine Advantage, only nastier...

    1. Re:False positives by arth1 · · Score: 5, Interesting

      This isn't about preventing stolen iPods from being able to charge. That's an incredibly fat lie.

      This is about making sure that people who buy a second charger have to buy it from Apple, at inflated prices.

    2. Re:False positives by Hijacked+Public · · Score: 5, Insightful

      You might want to update your conspiracy theory: Apple doesn't include the first charger either.

      --
      "Sacrifice for the good of The State" - The State
  2. Bricks anyone? by Applekid · · Score: 5, Funny

    Give iPod Thieves an Unchargeable Brick Can't I just keep the ipod and give them a brick painted as an iPod like the P-P-P-Powerbook instead?
    --
    More Twoson than Cupertino
    1. Re:Bricks anyone? by DF5JT · · Score: 5, Interesting

      > Can't I just keep the ipod and give them a brick painted as an iPod like the P-P-P-Powerbook instead?

      Very funny indeed. You did follow that link, didn't you?

      Quote:

      ***
      3) Finally, and most disturbingly, Jeff was not heard from again. I personally e-mailed him for permission to run his story on ZUG, but after an initial response, I never heard from him again. All of his Web sites have come down, and he is nowhere to be found.
      ***

  3. It would be unfortunate by Paxton · · Score: 5, Insightful

    ... if car chargers won't work.

  4. another idea by notoriousE · · Score: 5, Funny

    An ipod is plugged into an unauthorized computer and all of a sudden dozens of crappy songs are downloaded to it... songs that no one wants to hear like

    Freeze Frame by J Geils Band

    or wannabe by the spice girls

    or wake me up before you go go by wham

    mmmbop by hanson

    you know, horrible stuff like that --- i know if i were a thief the idea of horrible music would deter me

    --


    And then there was E
  5. Not the only use by Dan+East · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I'm sure the usefulness of this technology in other areas has been considered as well. Specifically, things like bricking a device because a subscription has run out, or disabling it because DRM rights have been violated. After all, once the hardware is in place, it can be used for other purposes by simple software "upgrades".

    Dan East

    --
    Better known as 318230.
  6. Better to not get it stolen in the first place. by Filter · · Score: 5, Funny

    Hide it in a Zune.

    --

    "better ways of doing things eventually just replace the inferior things" - Linus Torvalds 09-08-07

  7. Re:weeee by balamw · · Score: 5, Informative

    You can use any iPod with multiple computers. Just set it to manually manage music and it'll work fine with any machine you throw at it.

    B

  8. Re:possible solutions by TheMeuge · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I suppose it would be relatively easy to implement a password system, where you generate a password when you first plug in a new iPod, and then have to use it when you sync or charge. That would let you use the iPod on as many computers as you want, as long as you enter the password. If you forget the password, you can go back to the Apple store with your credit card or receipt, and since all iPods have unique identification, they could reset it for you, once you provide proof that it's your property. ... wouldn't work too well if you bought it on ebay though... ... but I suppose Apple would enjoy it if their products weren't able to be resold.

  9. Re:weeee by Cahrin · · Score: 5, Informative

    Rockbox is a good open source solution that allows you to manage your iPod on any machine without using iTunes.

  10. I can see it now... by BigCanOfTuna · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...the thief only wanted my $250 iPod, but took my $3000 MacBook Pro to make it work.

  11. False patent by pegr · · Score: 5, Informative

    Patent? Prior art. Heck, my Verizon Razr has been doing this since day one. I have to load a special driver to get it to charge from my laptop's USB port. Without it, the screen just says "Unauthorized Charger"... It rejects any charger it didn't come with, even other Motorola chargers. Forget 3rd party devices. Bastards...

    Oh, yeah, Apple, um, good luck with that...