Comments on: Another charging opportunity?

By: Terran Rei

Terran Rei — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 16:15:47 +0000

This theft protection proposal appears to be another attempt by Apple to gain greater control over the iPod accessories industry. It really is an attempt to prevent non-Apple authorized companies from supporting the needs of iPod owners. For example, there are hundreds of speaker dock products on the market that allow you to listen to your iPod without headphones. Many of these devices also charge the iPod while docked. This proposal would make those devices obsolete. There are also hundreds of portable charging devices on the market that provide energy for your iPod on the go. Again, Apple wants to lock them out of the loop as well. You see, what Apple really wants to do is control the market for iPod accessories. The Ipod accessory market is now a billion $ industry and Apple wants a bigger share of the pie. So their proposal is an attempt to eliminate free market competition under the guise of protecting consumers. Do you really want to sell your freedom of choice for a security proposal that is not likely to have much impact on preventing theft in the digital age. Unfortunately, this is just another attempt by Apple to manipulate and fleece its flock.

By: None of 2

None of 2 — Sat, 28 Jul 2007 00:33:40 +0000

It’s also been covered by Techdirt recently.

By: None of 2

None of 2 — Sat, 28 Jul 2007 00:32:47 +0000

It’s also been mentioned on Techdirt…

By: Dan

Dan — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 20:41:46 +0000

Cheers Michael, I think you’re right that “an inline charging emulator” would come on the market fairly quickly if this system were implemented in a way which made it worthwhile.

And the buyers would probably be evenly split between genuine users and thieves, or people who’d bought the iPods or whatever at second-hand markets or car boot sales.

Equally, if the ’security’ is entirely in the software, someone will crack it within a few months, and the crack will be available online for anyone (genuine user, thief, whatever). The car stereo code comparison is very apt.

As Crosbie says, a user-programmable charger+key would allow people the choice to do what they want (hence probably unlikely that Apple would do this), but then you might as well just have a user-programmable password on the device and forget the whole “charger-as-security-method” thing.

By: Michael O'Donnell

Michael O'Donnell — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 21:43:47 +0000

I’m not surprised by this, nor am I angered.
For many years car stereo manufacturers have been implementing a similair system (although I believe this was genuinely driven by anti theft) The 4 digit code system was intrdoced in the mid to late 80’s and was very successfull beacuse the code could only be regenerated by visiting the vehicle dealer and supplying a copy of the registration document (and a small fee, administration - obviously!)
These were replaced with the removable fascias. The face is coded to the stereo, no other face can operate the stereo. While this is true, blank faces can be’obtained’ and re-programmed to match the code of any stereo. It’s also not uncommon for theives to keep an eye out for fascias hanging out of peoples pockets in public areas like pubs/clubs, stealing that first, along with the car keys and the stereo.
The point I’m making is that in most cases preventative design is a reaction to opertunistic design (or behaviour) and is unlikely to stop it, merely curb it until a new method is perfected.
I suspect that if Apple pursue this charging option, then, the same companies that are supplying the low cost chargers will be suppling an inline ‘charging emulator’ I can think of a number of ways this could be resolvedand I’m sure there are many more!

By: Media On the GO ! » Blog Archive » Apple patents DRM for electricity

Media On the GO ! » Blog Archive » Apple patents DRM for electricity — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 14:13:34 +0000

[...] According to New Scientist, Apple’s patented a DRM system that would prevent you from charging your device with anything except a licensed charger. The charger would be locked to your device. Yes, that’d keep a thief from charging your stolen laptop, but it would also keep you from plugging your gasping laptop into a friend’s power supply, and would give Apple yet more control over the aftermarket for its products. Because if there’s one thing users are demanding, it’s that Apple have yet more control over its products. (See Dan Lockton’s post. Thanks to Hanan for the link.) [Tags: drm apple] var rm_host = “http://ad.globalinteractive.com”; var rm_section_id = 124232; rmShowAd(”300×250″); Share and Enjoy: These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages. [...]

By: Breaking News ! » Blog Archive » Apple patents DRM for electricity

Breaking News ! » Blog Archive » Apple patents DRM for electricity — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 14:03:42 +0000

By: Crosbie Fitch

Crosbie Fitch — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 12:55:58 +0000

Sorry, I meant if the charger+key was lost, such that the key was also forgotten and so couldn’t be set into an additional/replacement charger…

By: Crosbie Fitch

Crosbie Fitch — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 09:44:07 +0000

Yup, the charger as private key, providing the sole means of obtaining administrative (as opposed to user) access (and also the sole means of recharging).

It’s a reasonable idea, but there’s no reason why Apple should be in control of the key - or know what it is. Just bung a 5 digit user selectable PIN number on the underside of the charger, that can be changed at any time (the charger can remember the last known key, and amend it upon reconnection). Moreover, Apple should make this an open standard.

If the charger was lost, the unit would have to be returned.

By: Dan

Dan — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 07:11:19 +0000

Did you read the article? The system is not about replacement batteries: it is about a system that prevents the device being charged if the device appears to have been stolen. Completely different.

By: Ian Kemmish

Ian Kemmish — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 06:45:02 +0000

Well, if a $50 counterfeit replacement battery can catch fire and take out a entire $2000 laptop, then I’m all for it….

By: University Update - DRM - Another charging opportunity?

University Update - DRM - Another charging opportunity? — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 01:46:32 +0000

[...] YouTube Link to Article drm Another charging opportunity? » Posted at fulminate // Architectures of Control on Monday, July 23, 2007 [ A knife blade cutting the cable of a generic charger/adaptor] Last month, an Apple patent application was published describing a method of “Protecting electronic devices from extended unauthorized use” - effectively a ‘charging rights management’ system View Entire Article » [...]

By: University Update - Apple iPod - Another charging opportunity?

University Update - Apple iPod - Another charging opportunity? — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 00:46:37 +0000

[...] YouTube Link to Article apple ipod Another charging opportunity? » Posted at fulminate // Architectures of Control on Monday, July 23, 2007 [ A knife blade cutting the cable of a generic charger/adaptor] Last month, an Apple patent application was published describing a method of “Protecting … is implemented, it could also prevent the owner of a device from buying a non-Apple-authorised View Entire Article » [...]