Apple patent will block your iPhone at concerts
Seas of smartphones recording live performances could soon become a thing of the past
A newly-granted Apple patent could have big implications for concert-goers keen to record live acts on their phones.
Filed by Apple in 2011 and granted this week, the document - snappily-titled "Systems and methods for receiving infrared data with a camera designed to detect images based on visible light" - sets out a system for remotely disabling iPhone cameras, using a live concert as a prime example of where it could work.
It uses as infrafred beam placed on stage to block any iPhone pointed towards the performers. Users would merely get a "recording disabled" message.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The technology could be used almost anywhere, including cinemas, theatres and locations where photography is banned.
Fans recording live performances on smartphones is becoming a nuisance for both concert-goers and performers alike, reports The Guardian. Alicia Keys and Guns n' Roses are among several artists who require audiences to put their mobile devices into lockable pouches that can only be opened when they move out of a designated phone-free zone.
However, Apple's tech wouldn't completely lock fans out, reports the Daily Mail. The phones would not be disabled when pointing away from the infrared sensor so users would still be able to take selfies or photos of their friends. Alternatively, videos could get automatic watermarks, encouraging fans who do record to keep the footage to themselves.
9to5Mac picks up another aspect of the patent – a much more positive application.
It says the sensor could be positioned at a museum exhibit, for example, and pointing a camera at it could automatically throw up extra information about the piece.
The site also adds that the infrared aspect is now slightly outdated and that more modern forms of transmission, such as iBeacons, would make more sense.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
5 highly educational cartoons about student protests
Cartoons Artists take on apolitical camping, the National Guard, and more
By The Week US Published
-
French schools and the scourge of teenage violence
Talking Point Gabriel Attal announces 'bold' intervention to tackle rise in violent incidents
By The Week UK Published
-
On the trail of India’s wild lions at Sasan Gir National Park
The Week Recommends The sanctuary is a 'roaring' conservation success
By The Week UK Published
-
Justice Department bites Apple with iPhone suit
Speed Read The lawsuit alleges that the tech company monopolized the smartphone industry
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Apple kills its secret electric car project
Speed Read Many of the people from Project Titan are being reassigned to work on generative AI
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The pros and cons of virtual reality
Pros and cons The digital world is expanding, for better and for worse
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
The Apple Vision Pro's dystopian debut
Why everyone's talking about Is "spatial computing" the next big thing?
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
Why Apple's carbon-neutral claims may be misleading
Speed Read The company isn't disclosing all the information, a new report alleges
By Devika Rao Published
-
The advent of the AI iPhone: does new tech show promise or peril?
Talking Point Apple design guru Jony Ive and OpenAI founder Sam Altman believed to be in talks to create new device
By The Week Staff Published
-
China steals the spotlight at Apple's iPhone 15 launch
How will a directive from the Chinese government affect the tech giant?
By The Week Staff Published
-
Why is a tiny change to the iPhone's charger such a big deal?
Today's Big Question A change to comply with EU regulations could have global ramifications
By Justin Klawans Published