Walk down the wrong street wearing your shiny white headphones and there's every chance you could end up losing your favourite music player. But all that could change if a stolen iPod became useless in hours.
According to a report in New Scientist, Apple has filed a patent titled "Protecting electronic devices from extended unauthorized use," which would effectively mean it wouldn't charge if certain conditions are in place. It could be (for example) a specific charger required or use outside a specified area could be prohibited. Whatever condition is put in place, if it is not met, the iPod doesn't work until things are put right and the iPod is reset.
Sounds admirable in some ways, sounds a nightmare in others (accidental blocking and lost passwords spring to mind). But anything to cut down theft is certainly worthy of considering.
Via Ars Technica
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