Apple to patent way to remotely disable jailbroken iPhones?

[admin]

Apple is applying for a patent which allows it to remotely erase the data on an iPhone and to get the connection for the phone shut down.

While Apple says that this is an anti-theft function that helps users to protect their sensitive data if a phone is stolen, the patent also describes it's purpose in shutting down unauthorized usage of the iPhone, including jailbreaking.

The recent changes to the US DCMA made jailbreaking effectively legal, but Apple have already taken steps to clamp down on the practice. For example, jailbroken iPhones will automatically void the warranty.

Jailbroken iPhones can be used to download pirated apps, but more importantly, it offers free alternative apps and functionalities that Apple prefer to charge for, and this hurts Apple's bottom line. But the question consumer groups will ask is whether a company should be allowed to prevent users from using competing products and service in this way.

More:

http://mashable.com/2010/08/22/apple-jailbreaking-patent/

[drfsupercenter]

I'm happy with my rooted Droid. iPhone users get what they deserve from buying Apple, IMO...

[Budreaux]

I'm happy with my rooted Droid. iPhone users get what they deserve from buying Apple, IMO...

HOLY HELL..we finally agree on something..I have a rooted Droid as well.

[drfsupercenter]

Another thing that the Android market has over iPhone... there are tons of apps in there "For root users only", such as the Wi-Fi tethering which I use quite a bit... if someone made an app for iPhone that required it to be jailbroken, you bet Apple would remove that faster than you can blink your eyes!

[dr_ml422]

Steve Jobs is a creature of habit 100%! Guy just hasn't changed that much as depicted in Pirates Of Silicon Valley. Really a piece of work. I just silently laughed at my cousin the other day when he mentioned having to take his iMAC Laptop in just to do something w/all his music/iTunes. I told him get a spare Windows LT, or even PC. Each OS has it's followers.

[blutach]

Maybe people wouldn't jailbreak if they allowed tethering! My ipad and iphone won't even recognise each other. And Mr Jobs just says "No".

This latest news is just another bash at consumer rights.

Regards

[Budreaux]

Maybe people wouldn't jailbreak if they allowed tethering! My ipad and iphone won't even recognise each other. And Mr Jobs just says "No".

This latest news is just another bash at consumer rights.

Regards

Exactly my point....Apple was the original opensource players...look at them now.

[admin]

Apple just wants a nice, tightly controlled environment where they have the final say on everything. They say it's to ensure a consistent product, and yes, a tightly regulated eco-system does that, but really, it's all about the money.

So the battle continues between consumers wanting to use the things they've purchased in their own way and manufacturers/publishers wanting to control how their products can be used. Whether it's DVDs and copy protection, or iPhones and jailbreaking. It's all now a much bigger issue than before because devices are not so versatile these days, that you can basically use them for anything. Same with movies going digital, making it a lot easier to manipulate on the computer.

If Apple wants to void the warranty of jailbroken phones, then okay, that's maybe acceptable, although I don't know how statutory warranties come into this. But to "seek and destroy" jailbroken phones is a bit over the top.

[dr_ml422]

Money. Never forget money the bottom line. Never had Apple of anything, though just found out that if you call anyone from your iPhone to another iPhone, they can track you down on the spot. Now you posted that the ipad and iphone won't recognise each other. Makes no sense really.

Otn, since I haven't bothered w/a cell phone over a year now, I really not into the whole jist of what's happening concerning apps. etc... I only asked and was told by a friend last night that he pays almost $200.00 a month for his i3 cell service. I asked if the apps. were a side charge and he said yes and no, that basically you're paying for their use through the monthly charge. So the only thing I can see happening is a higher monthly service charge by the cell provider if they get in sync w/what manufacturers like Apple are trying to deny. This all is even more nuts as the carrier you choose w/the hacked iphone or Android actively hooks you up w/their service knowing your cell is hacked etc... At least that's what it looks like. If I'm wrong correct me as I stated I use no cell for a year now. I only knew from before that certain carriers were in charge of specific cell phones for use w/them, like AT&T was/has been w/Apple's iphone.

[drfsupercenter]

Aren't there are iPhone apps that let you do tethering?

I always used to use a program called EasyTether on my Droid, it was only $10 and let you connect it via USB and use it as a modem on your computer. Now, Android 2.2 has it built in for free! The more I hear about Apple, the more I want them to go out of business and stop selling people crappy products...