What is Digg?170 Comments
- OS2Guy, on 10/10/2007, -19/+172Once again we're back to the whining claiming it is Apple's "duty" to track stolen iPods. It is ridiculous, of course. Why doesn't Nike police their stolen tennis shoes? Why doesn't SanDisk police their stolen MP3 players? Each of these items have serial or bar coded numbers on them. The reason is simple: we have and we pay a police department to handle thefts of all kinds, from a few bucks to hundreds of thousands of dollars. It is THEIR job as well as the CONSUMER's job to find stolen property and to take care of property to ensure it is not stolen.
Asking Apple to do what no other company does and what the consumer fails to do is ridiculous. - NoOneButMe, on 10/10/2007, -1/+42Because _everyone_ buys stuff from the iTunes Music Store?
And as of April 2007, 100 million iPod's were sold(According to Wikipedia). According to the article, 50% of them were stolen. Anyone else think that's just a bit high? - celeb, on 10/10/2007, -3/+41A few months ago my roommate came home with an ipod nano he found at the top of the escalator at our local grocery store. When he asked what he should do I suggested we put it on craigslist asking a few questions about the unique case (custom made) and also thought we should try to call apple. I called Apple and told them about the situation and provided them with the serial number and my number and where I found it. The next day I received a call from Apple saying they left a voicemail with the owner and left my number so I should be expecting a call. Shortly thereafter I received a call from the owner, and coordinated a time to meet and return her ipod.
Maybe more people just need to respect the fact that these things cost hard earned money and can ruin someones day if they lose them. I was suprised Apple could put us in touch with the owner but am definitely happy they could. Apple also thanked us for our honesty.
Go apple! - drouk1556, on 10/10/2007, -1/+37I expect my phone company to disable a stolen phone because I subscribe to a service. If I'm not using the service (or if someone else is using my service against my will), I should hardly be expected to pay for it.
- WiseWeasel, on 10/10/2007, -2/+15This is not going to happen (thank goodness). Apple is not in the business of policing their users; they sell consumer electronics and computers, and typically try to avoid entangling themselves in painful enforcement efforts... I, for one, don't want my MP3 player vendor to have the ability to disable my unit remotely, and to have it's ability to function toggled by a remote user. I want my electronics to be as reliable as possible, without any stupid points of failure like this.
- chubbybubba, on 10/10/2007, -1/+14Everybody, just keep an eye on your ipod for godsakes. Its not too difficult. Leave it on your desk when you go to lunch, don't be surprised its not there. Lets just let apple do all the work and forget common sense. Grow up guys. We arent all 3rd graders. (my apologies to any 3rd graders.)
- geminitojanus, on 10/10/2007, -5/+17Couldn't agree more. Seriously people, how hard is it to write down a serial number? How hard is it to call the police and report it stolen? One of the reasons we created the police department as a social service was to track down stolen goods and to find those responsible for stealing them; it's not Apple's job to be a vigilante and hunt them down.
If you care about the things you own, the least you can do is write down the serial number right when you get them. - alucinante, on 10/10/2007, -1/+11I actually had a dream about this not to long ago, I stole an Ipod and somehow when I played it the owner came knocking on my door, good thing the owner was rachel mcadams, so we did it.
- davidrools, on 10/10/2007, -2/+11I think you're missing the point. Unlike Nike and Samsung, Apple already has a system in place which makes it so simple to provide this service to its customers. Since they've already taken steps to actively gather user information (and requiring it for ITMS purchases), there's no more privacy to be breached. They have no ethical motive _not_ to provide this service.
Making stolen ipods unable to recharge when connected to a computer, as the patent application states, is retarded since you can plug it into a wall adapter (which will earn apple an extra $50 for adapter+cable which probably didn't get stolen along with the player) - Typhoon2009, on 10/10/2007, -3/+12How about the following
1) Pimp my Ride('s security system)... in addition to the alarm, the car also gives a sharp electric jolt to anyone who tries to break in
2) Pimp my Pod... a small C4 explosive is inside the iPod. After 10 unsuccessful attempts to crack the password, the ipod detonates
3) Blinded by the ligh, er... hydrochloric acid... same principle as above, only biometrics detect an unauthorized user and spritz HCl into the thief's eyes - judicar, on 10/10/2007, -0/+7How about not turning your back on $400 music play that's the size of pack of cigarettes when you're in a public place? What does Apple gain from this? Nothing, except for being responsible when someone's iPod gets stolen.
buried. - Puppetfunk, on 10/10/2007, -2/+9police don't do jack *****. my iPod was stolen from my locker one day. A Security camera looks directly at my locker. I reported it stolen, and never heard anything else.
- mattacular, on 10/10/2007, -0/+6Tracking device embedded in every ipod? No thanks. Since when are people anxious to sell their privacy for ~$300?
- mklopez, on 10/10/2007, -24/+30well, in that case, why do we expect phone companies to disable stolen cell phones? granted, you can get charged for their use after the theft (same as a credit card), and I cannot think of a way that a stolen ipod can be used to screw you or steal your identity, but the question is: if there is tech available to make it harder or unappealing to thieves to grab your ipod, why dont use it? not as a DUTY, but as a SERVICE
- TremorX, on 10/10/2007, -2/+8Whoa, I had the same dream... only I was Rachel McAdams, and it wasn't an iPod, it was a Zune. And we didn't do it, you just tried to squirt on me.
Also, you were a chick. And we DID do it. - TypeEE, on 10/10/2007, -2/+7MS did a good anti theft job on zunes by making them really ugly
- qualish, on 10/10/2007, -0/+5Wrong statistic there, cowboy.
- jmpeagle, on 10/10/2007, -0/+5Sentence fragment is a sentence fragment.
- gregthebunny, on 10/10/2007, -1/+6a thief has no intention of buying an ipod. the victim is likely to replace it with a new ipod. apple has just sold 2 ipods.
- wernst, on 10/10/2007, -0/+4This idea comes up every year or so, and yet the reason apple doesn't do it is the same. They don't wanna play cop for iPods. Suppose you buy a used iPod on eBay. Seller ships it to you. Then they call Apple and say it is stolen. You call Apple and say you bought it, and please unlock it. What's Apple supposed to do? It's easier for them to stay out of the theft prevention businesses, and they make money selling you a replacement iPod to boot.
- ChromaVita, on 10/10/2007, -1/+5Sentence fragment.
- aaronm67, on 10/10/2007, -0/+4A lot of people make it even easier then that to return them. I used to monitor several computer labs, and every week or two I would find an iPod. A lot of people use the free engraving to engrave their name + phone number on them.
The only problem with doing this is it will be impossible to sell if you want to upgrade/switch to a different player. - Tenoq, on 10/10/2007, -2/+6You would, most wouldn't. Thus, it doesn't make business sense for Apple to implement such a system (that probably would be easy for thieves to work around anyway!).
- xphilter, on 10/10/2007, -1/+5so let me get this straight, Digg has a huuuuge problem with software companies trying to prevent theft, but they have nooooooooo problem with Apple doing the same? If apple did do something, everyone would bitch and moan "oh i have to call anytime I want to sell it? its none of apples business" or "I have to have a police report and fax it to apple, thats too much work!" this is ridiculous.
- roebeet, on 10/10/2007, -0/+4This was the case in NYC, years ago - I remember people being seriously injured over these things. Some people started changing the white headphones, just to keep a low profile. Now, iPods are everywhere....
- r3zonance, on 10/10/2007, -0/+4The phone company also knows the exact details of the handset (it's IMEI number). They just issue a kill signal to a SIM-Phone pair and both pieces become useless.
This however is only enforcible because the mobile has to be connected to a phone network to be useful, and therefore has to be in constant communication with "home" as it were.
It's a different story with the iPod, which is only connected to "your PC" (not Apple) for the purposes of syncing songs and charging. No information is sent to Apple when you attach the iPod to your machine. The iPod is registered to the iTunes library it connected to (not Apple). Apple knowing where an iPod is (which they don't) would require information to be sent back to Apple, which would have everyone crying about privacy. - HonoredMule, on 10/10/2007, -0/+4That's assuming your local police actually DO their job...or anything.
It really sucks when that assumption is false, but also, even dutiful police aren't going to put manpower on recovery of low cost goods and/or items that are unlikely to be found anyway. - cleverboy, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3The perp didn't turn the wireless off, and the owner walked around his school looking for his original Zune to identify itself to his friend's Zune. It's a nice thought, but somehow, unless it got stolen by someone in your high school, I doubt you're going to find any form of iPod like that, whether or not they even HAD that feature.
- cleverboy, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3No, I think you're missing the point. Apple does NOT "already" have a system that "makes it so simple". How do YOU know this? Are you saying that because you know they have the information that it is therefore "simple" to make it available? Here's the deal. WHO has access to this information about your iPod? And, you're suggesting that the act of USING iTunes, gives Apple the right to desseminate this information to anyone with your access information?
You're on crack, friend. Let's look at that first part. #1.) You think Apple already HAS this info. Depends on how you mean that. doesn't it? What info? Are they recording each successive IP address you use and logging it indefinitely? How about when you register your iPod (or maybe give it away), when does the new owner/user account get to re-assign their serial number to protect their privacy? How about NEVER? If re-assigning was as simple as "restoring" the iPod, that would certainly defeat the purpose wouldn't it? I don't think they marry the two. #2.) Furthermore... is exposing this information to the user as simple as pressing a button? Sounds to me like you want Apple to ADD significantly complex and well-considered features. For instance, Google knows you're browsing the web, and made the "feature" available by allowing users to index their own search habits as "Web History". Storm of protests, but they see this as a huge win. It's your account after all (unlike an iPod which isn't necessarily tied "permanently" to anything). Moreover, people need to "opt in" to this service, or else its an invasion of privacy that many would delete their Google accounts over. There is a recent case that came up in the news over divorce courts using tollbooth pass data from spouses to corroborate adultery. Should all of our devices start to become "trackable" without our consent? Not everyone conscious of this is even doing something "wrong". Sometimes it really IS just the principle. #3.) Like triangulating a call on a cellphone device, should Apple to forced to actively and interactively cooperate with state and local officials of every country regarding each $79 - $500 purchase? Can police look up whether criminal X has an iPod, and find out where they last used it? Why not? "I'm no crook, but I'd like a music player that doesn't talk with the police." You can hear it already, can't you?
I think Apple has thought this out a wee bit more than you. You're just whining from the looks of it. If you really had to work out the details with a group of smart people and privacy consultants, you'd be having a series of extended arguments that tell you you're not considering a whole lot of things. Trust me. - Gooie, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3In a world where iPod thieves run ramped. One company... has... the answer...*Huge Action Scene*
- NoOneButMe, on 10/10/2007, -1/+4How's it the wrong statistic? Article says 50 million iPod's stolen. I say only 100 million iPod's sold and 1 out of every 2 iPod's stolen is hard to believe. I quote wikipedia. Person question's source. I quote Apple instead.
- mzwaterski, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3I'm happy to report that my stolen iPod (along with a few other items) were located by the Chicago Police and returned to me. Thanks CPD! They didn't locate me by the iPod, however, they had other items with my name and they matched the name to the stolen property report.
- mushroom, on 10/10/2007, -1/+4What do you think cops would carry a notebook around with serial numbers of stolen ipods and stop everybody that has a ipod to check serial numbers?
Not saying that Apple should do anything, Hell i would think the RIAA would do something about it since they don't like when people listen to music that they didn't pay for - MacParrot, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3Save the iPod...save the world
- ncaauwe, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3Maybe Apple could encourage people to keep their iPods in their pockets? Some sort of..."in your pocket" campaign..."1,000 songs in your pocket." It's got an Apple-y ring to it, wouldn't you say?
- ThirdPrize, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3He stole it, I sold it to him. Same difference to Apple. Unless you have some sort of log book how could you safely buy a 2nd hand iPod and not have the same rights as a thief?
- AriaStar, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3If I sold an iPod on eBay or Craigslist, it'd be a pain in the ass to switch over th registration.
- jtcalhoun, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3Recall that a few months ago, back when Apple rolled out iTunes Plus and it was revealed that the tracks, while DRM free, still contained even the tiniest amount of identifiable user data which could possibly have been used to help reduce illegal filesharing, there was a huge uproar over how Apple was evil and continuing to "track" its users' usage of property they rightfully own.
Well, now that the consumer is the victim, and not some record company looking to protect its property, it's perfectly fine for Apple to use identifiable information to prevent theft. Apparently, Digg has negotiable convictions.
I can think of a few better solutions: police, insurance, being less absent-minded - KingAdrock, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3I agree and I also bet you this same douchebag would be posting a "OMG ITUNES PHONES HOME!" digg if they did try to attempt this.
- schappim, on 10/10/2007, -2/+5Not only this is inaccurate, but who wants their iPod sending data to Big Brother all the time?
~ Marcus - roland, on 10/10/2007, -1/+4Dont think of me just digging you up. Think of it as a true thumbs up and a pat on the back.
- sannm, on 10/10/2007, -2/+5And I would be more than willing to pay a small extra "theft tracking" fee when I buy the ipod, in much the same way you can purchase tracking software in the event your laptop is stolen.
- bemenaker, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2So I use linux or something other than itunes to reload it. I just shot your whole apple can save your ipod argument to hell. End of story.
- psykiv, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2Either way, Apple has sold two iPods.
- Tenoq, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2And in Aus, like handing out speeding fines for 3% over? :-p
- theprototype, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2What happens when an idiot loses his ipod, reports it stolen, and 2 days later finds it under all his old pizza boxes...
- Neil, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2Because you were stupid enough to leave it just sitting there, not in your pocket.
- awhiteflame, on 10/10/2007, -1/+3Hey, my best friend's son is a 3rd grader you insensitive clod!
/slashdot
/I'm tired, I had to - Charlotte_Web, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2Apple's solution (not allowing the iPod to charge on an unauthorized charger) doesn't benefit anyone but Apple in the "stolen iPod" scenario. It doesn't get you your iPod back, so you still have to buy a new one. And now the thief doesn't have a working one, either, so if he really wants one, he's going to have to actually buy one, too.
A Theft Tracking service by Apple is an ok idea. Sure, once someone connects it to their iTMS account and starts loading commercial music on it, you have a name and a physical address of the person who has your iPod. However, 999 times out of 1,000, that person won't be the thief but will be someone who bought it off of eBay. So, now you've got to get eBay involved in the pursuit of the criminal. And while $300 may be a lot of coin to you or I, it's an amount that's hardly worth eBay's time to get involved; I suspect you'd get a lot of resistance from them to get involved. (I'm dealing with eBay right now over a noob thief who tried to scam me with a camcorder listing, and eBay seems indifferent to the whole situation).
Frankly, it would be a whole lot less hassle for you to just buy iPod insurance (which is already available -- just google it). - Ocelot13, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2you mean like ephpod?
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