Patent trolling is not a new profession, but as patent records are public domain, there are individuals that just wait for new patents to be awarded to Apple and then speculate on what the behemoth is up to. Being so far ahead of the curve, Apple has to try and ingeniously cloak it's patent's wording to foil those looking for the golden ticket.
Apparently, a patent awarded to Apple at the tail end of 2012 titled "Apparatus and methods for enforcement of policies upon a wireless device," were detected by the rumor mills and the widespread tsunamis of controversy have followed.
You can see this patent at the US Patent and Trademark Office online.
Debates on whether this technology will be used in Apple's new iPhone 5S, with it's operating system IOS 7 to be launched in June with it's glassless redesign is uncertain, but the new "Big Brother" technology is disturbing those that are concerned with Apple controlling their device.
Some possible uses for this technology could be used by movie theaters to globally reduce the volume, or even switch an iPhone into vibrate mode while inside the walls of a theater; It could theoretically limit the use of the phone within a radius of the driver to prevent driving and texting; it could prevent the use of text or calls when in a classroom, library or hospital, or even prevent you from taking pictures in a classified area.
Is this too much control? Many people are outraged by this, but just like in any controversy, there are always two sides and Apple as usual, thrives on both sides of this argument.
Comments