Apple recently obtained a new patent “Systems and methods for receiving infrared data with a camera designed to detect images based on visible light”, which allows iPhone cameras to be disabled via special infrared sensors. In this case, concert venues will be able to use the technology to make sure no one makes bootleg videos of a touring band. The same technology could also be used to beam information to many people’s phones at the same time when they’re in the same location.
Industry observers admit that filming of concerts is not just an annoyance to musicians who normally ask their fans to put their devices away at concerts. It is also a big problem for artists willing to play unreleased songs live and facing the prospect of them appearing on YouTube prior the official release.
When Apple first filed for this patent 7 years ago, freedom of expression advocates were concerned about the idea: if the manufacturer creates a way for 3rd parties to control when certain iPhone features work, how can it also control who has access to that technology? The suggestion is that some dictatorship governments can use it to blackout social media coverage of a protest.
Sourced from torrentfreak
Industry observers admit that filming of concerts is not just an annoyance to musicians who normally ask their fans to put their devices away at concerts. It is also a big problem for artists willing to play unreleased songs live and facing the prospect of them appearing on YouTube prior the official release.
When Apple first filed for this patent 7 years ago, freedom of expression advocates were concerned about the idea: if the manufacturer creates a way for 3rd parties to control when certain iPhone features work, how can it also control who has access to that technology? The suggestion is that some dictatorship governments can use it to blackout social media coverage of a protest.
Sourced from torrentfreak