Stolen iPod Touch Commercial

Comments on "Stolen iPod Touch Commercial": 2 Comments

1. Joe H wrote,

   My 16GB iPod touch went missing from my desk at work. Regarding security for the iPod touch, how difficult would it be to have the center button also function as a fingerprint reader? It could be called “Mytouch” or SafeTouch. The biometric reader could be supplemented (in case the reader fails) by an attachment to your desktop PC. I bet people would gladly pay an extra $50 to $100 for such a feature.

   Another option would be to use the wireless or USB cable to allow the iTouch to “check in” every so often. The base PC would have a USB “beacon” which comunicates with the iTouch via wireless. If the iTouch goes too long without checking in, the unit shuts down.

   Finally, there could be a “proximity” solution which would include an iTouch case paired with a small battery powered unit (attached to the owner) which would check the “proximity” marked case every few seconds or so. If the 2 devices get too far apart an audible or vibrating signal is given from the battery powered unit. A super cool way to do this would have the case use bluetooth to communicate with your cell phone and ring or text if the phone and the ipod get too far apart.

   The proximity solution has 3 benefits; first it can guard against misplacing your iPod, second, it can work with any iPod; finally it work without the need to shut down the iPod as the security is immediate.

   While I am currently bummed about losing my iTouch at work, I would like to get another one but not until I have found a security solution.

   Any thoughts?

   Link | February 8th, 2008 at 9:35 pm

2. Scott wrote,

   You know, I hate to call Steve Jobs a money-grubbing f*ck, but the fact of the matter is that Apple could very easily identify the IP of the last computer that connected to iTunes with your iPod attached via the serial number. They just won’t. And why? Well the lawyers will tell you there’s a bunch of privacy considerations, but really if the RIAA can, once they’ve targeted your IP for doing illegal downloads, get a court order to make your ISP give up your name and address to sue you there’s no way the geniuses at Apple can’t find a secure channel to advise your local police of the IP and ISP to get a likely location of property that’s been reported stolen (a slightly more compelling legal argument than the RIAA’s because it’s actual property as opposed to copyright violation). Obviously there would need to be some sort of control (original box, or something) to confirm you legitimately own the iPod you’re reporting stolen and your local DA would need to determine if he wants to expend police resources on this effort or just set up another speed trap on the freeway, but if the NYPD starts knocking on people’s door to ask about the iPod you bought off some scumbag mugger on ebay and that happens in enough cities and towns, the market for stolen iPods would rapidly dry up unless you WANTED to listen to the same library of songs forever and never connect it to a computer (yes, I know some hacker will find out how to change the serial number eventually, but frankly most people aren’t that smart). Right now, to the buyer, it’s a victimless crime and to the mugger it’s an easy mark.

   Now, you may ask why this makes Steve Jobs a money-grubbing f*ck. The reason is simple if you ask yourself WHY Apple isn’t defending it’s customers in this situation. Those of us who have the means to buy an iPod will almost certainly go out and buy another (my 30GB video was stolen from a coat check on Christmas night and I just bought a 32GB touch to replace it). Those who don’t have the means to buy one will either steal one or buy one that’s been stolen. Now Steve-O has TWO customers at iTunes instead of just one; me and the son-of-a-b!tch who stole my iPod (or the guy who he sold it to). Yet another reason iTunes is the number one digital music store on the web…

   Thanks Apple. I miss “think different” but I guess once you own a massive share of a new consumer electronics market it’s in your best interests to stop that kind of subversive thinking.

   Steve W. wouldn’t put up with this, I’ll tell you that.

   My 2 cents,

   Scott

   Link | February 22nd, 2008 at 1:27 pm

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