Nothing is worse at concerts than having some dude block your view of the band for 45 minutes to take crappy iPhone pics. But those days may be coming to an end soon thanks to Apple.
The company was recently granted a patent that would allow concerts and other private events to block iPhone users from taking photos and videos of the event by using infrared signals.
Photo: USPTO
Blocking video photography could also be a draw for comedy clubs, sports stadiums and other exclusive events. Instead of completely blocking all photography, Apple’s patent filed in 2011 could also allow companies to do something more useful, like adding an automatic watermark to photos and videos as a way to promote the event.
“In some embodiments, a device may apply a watermark to detected images as an alternative to completely disabling a recording function. For example, a device may receive infrared signals with encoded data that includes a command to apply a watermark to detected images. In such an example, the device may then apply the watermark to all detected images that are displayed or stored (e.g., single pictures or frames of a video).
The patent for beaming data to iPhones en masse with infrared beams could also be used at museums to provide useful information on individual items like audio commentary, historical information and videos.
The major drawback of the patent though is that it would require every smartphone to come equipped with an infrared sensor for it to work on the entire crowd. And once concert venues start blocking video, people will just switch to a device that can’t be blocked.
Buster Hein is a freelance writer who lives in Phoenix, Arizona. Twitter: @bst3r.
20 responses to “Apple camera system could fix the most annoying thing about concerts”
Wouldn’t this be used to keep protestors from photographing when they’re being beaten up and thrown in paddy wagons?
if my favorite band invite me to go up to the stage i can’t take a picture to register that moment either?
haha what are the chances of that?
i hope it will happen one day! but now thanks to apple anybody will never believe it.
That is really, really wrong…and I really, really want it used at concerts!
I’m so old I remember when taking photos or video was actually prohibited at concerts…Never thought I’d see the day when the complaint would be about ‘no longer being able to’. I think the ability for venues to add watermarks could be sorta cool, actually. Kinda like how people used to keep ticket stubs from certain events, might be nice to have photos with official stamps on them?
Or political descent and cops beating up civillians. I mean really, the person who wrote this article is either an idiot or, a person lacking in any kind of critical thinking skills. This “feature” is a dangerous a form of supression that if implemented, would force me to immediately stop using the iPhone for good. I’m just shocked that the person who posted this views this as a net positive.
seriously!
What if I just want to take a picture during some downtime to show my seats or the stage?
That…would actually be the number one thing to make people switch away from Apple, probably. I would buy a different product in a heartbeat, and I don’t even take photos that much at shows…that’s super dystopian.
Agreed. I love my iPhone and am a die hard apple user but if they actually did this I would switch. Police could carry around mobile disabler. There are just so many ways in which this could be abused. Hopefully, they have patented it to shelve it.
I remember when a single flash from the audience would cause a rush of bouncers to take away a camera. You could smoke dope but not take pictures. Now it’s the opposite, they’ll rush past 20 guys taking vids to crush the one guy smoking a joint. Seems to me the best way to handle this is allow the video or picture to be taken, but not shared.
Or just google it… and find out how to avoid being blocked. Probably by just putting a small piece of tape on the infrared sensor of your phone.
right.
This is a great idea… I’ve been to a gig where I had to look at someone’s screen right in front of me for almost the whole show. Shocking.
It’s great until you can’t record a police officer and you go to jail because it’s his word against yours.
Unfortunately I can’t relate to that but you’re probably right. If it could be limited to concerts somehow then that would be ideal.
Who want a phone with a camera that can be remotely shut down?
I’m cool with it because I go to concerts to watch what is happening with my eyes, but in this social media lead world, no promoter, venue or band would be into this. All those FB posts and tweets are just free advertising for them. People see their friend in LA seeing whatever cool band and decide to pick up tickets for the Miami show in 2 weeks. and on and on.
Just put tape over the infrared sensor. Or jailbreak the device and disable it.