Earlier this morning, I posted about Apple removing security tethers from devices in the Apple Stores.
One question I had was how this would impact shoplifting, how Apple was able to keep an eye on things.
From this 9to5mac post by Ben Lovejoy:
A source tells us that the current special OS images on demo devices include a software ‘kill switch’ which disables them when they go out of range of the store Wi-Fi. This means that Apple no longer has to use Find My iPhone to disable them manually.
Read the rest. Pretty interesting.
I’m still curious how Apple telegraphs this concept to dumb criminals before they steal. Do they simply they take the loss while word gets out?
Btw, I would so love it if the devices also screamed like a goat when out of range.
Or “Help me!! I AM BEING STOLEN!!!!” continuously until a certain range, say to a parking lot range. Each device could be configured for whatever particular distance that may be.
I have a feeling people would drop the phone and run.
Or run in general. At least then there would be a chance of recovery.
Some people may steal them anyway, for parts that can’t be protected with security features.
Idiots in NYC won’t understand this.
Curious what happens if there was a power outage? Wifi would be off so all devices would think they’re out-of-range? If they come back into range does the process then reverse?