Apple Patents Power Adapter That Recovers Lost Passwords

Sparrowvsrevolution writes "Apple has patented a power charger that also serves as a password recovery backup. If a user forgets his Macbook's password, for instance, he simply plugs in the cord, and it would provide a unique ID number stored in a memory chip in the adapter that acts as a decryption key, unscrambling an encrypted copy of the password stored on the machine. The technique, according to the patent, incentivizes better password use by avoiding traditional password recovery techniques that annoy users and lead to disabled or easily-guessed passwords. The new technique is only secure, the patent admits, in cases where the user leaves a mobile device's charger at home. So the idea may make the most sense for long-battery-life devices like iPods, iPads and iPhones rather than laptops, at least until laptop batteries last long enough that users don't take their power adapters with them and expose them to theft."

Comments

Reasonably stupid

[Anrego]

Well that's a reasonably stupid idea. Store the password with something many users are going to carry around with their laptop...

And even if you didn't.. you forget your password on the road, then what? And this is less annoying than having to answer a previously entered question?

Re:Reasonably stupid

[Lumpy]

"And even if you didn't.. you forget your password on the road, then what? "

you suffer the consequences. You know life has those.

Re:Reasonably stupid

[RingDev]

I would admit that there are too many people who fail to acknowledge their responsibilities, but I would venture that there are even more people who make a living by convincing/tricking people into failing to acknowledge their responsibility.

-Rick

And in one move

[Kazymyr]

Kills the 3rd party accessory market. Because you won't be able to get "crypto" power blocks from anyone else. Wanna bet?

Re:And in one move

[TheGatesofBill]

Can you get Magsafe power adapters from anyone else anyways? I've never seen any, and a quick Googling says no.

Re:And in one move

[IVI V K]

Apples magsafe power supply uses as patented magnetic connector.
As far as i know there is no 3rd party power block available for mac laptops due to this connector.

They have already "killed" this accessory market.

Re:And in one move

[djsmiley]

Not to mention the extra sale this can add to a mac book sale

Sir, you also want our "mobile adapter" - it allows you to charge your mac book anywhere, and if someone was to steal it, they wouldn't be able to reset your password using it! Brilliant isn't it? We do it in black, or white.

Re:And in one move

[slartibartfastatp]

Can you get Magsafe power adapters from anyone else anyways? I've never seen any, and a quick Googling says no.

Our friends from China say "yes, you can". I burned two original magsafe PA, then bought this one by U$ 30 (w/ shipping) two years ago. Still working.

Re:And in one move

[Speare]

I'll repeat a post I wrote on this previously.

I really liked the MagSafe(tm) concept when Apple first came out with it, but Apple has been such a fucking prick about the damned things. They don't offer any significant range of options to use the plug, and they actively stymie all attempts of the marketplace to fill that void. Want a piggy-back battery to supply power to the laptop? Apple doesn't make one. Want to tie in with a docking station? Apple doesn't make one. At first, when asked about third party adoption of the plugs, they were "oh, well, I guess they'll start coming out any time now." Then it was "oh, well, guess nobody's trying to license them." Then when manufacturers tried to license them, they were refused. So one manufacturer decided to eat the waste and rely on the doctrine of First Sale. They BOUGHT Apple(tm) adapters, chopped off the white wallwart transformer, and soldered the MagSafe(tm) pigtail to their own battery packs, and they were still attacked by Apple's lawyers. WTF, Apple. People have varying needs to make use of your products. Step up to offer the solution, or get out of the way.

So, Apple think all their users are single...

[PSVMOrnot]

Security is only as strong as it's weakest password recovery method.

This whole idea completely forgets that the whole purpose of your password might be to stop you little-brother/offspring/tech-illiterate-housemate (ie: anyone who lives with you) from screwing up your device.

Cool, just added it to my charger

[iamacat]

All it took is sticking a PostIt note on the side. Can I now patent moving the sticky to the inside of my closet, where it will be more secure from friends and allow me to take the charger for travel?

Re:good idea

[TheGratefulNet]

wrong. at least this time ;)

lots of good reasons for apple to do this. they want you to continue to use apple hardware and they have a lock-in effect going on. other than that mag-lock stuff, a power brick was a power brick. batteries are starting to be chipped/locked, but so far, I've not seen power sources be locked.

I bet we'll see that soon, though.

also, apple did this because they could, not because its a strikingly good idea for the world. you *can* send data comms along a power path and double-up on it. you *can*. but is there a good reason to? there sure is value in keeping power sources somewhat dumb. they push power (current) at you at a fixed voltage or voltage set. no need to crypto-up that path!

I bet there is also a patent defense plan here. anyone who wants to 'talk' along that path will probably get hit with an apple patent threat-suit, legit or not.

it does seem like a dumb idea, overall; but apple is getting a few things from this. its not about users. heh - lately, nothing is ever about the users (benefit).