Have you ever lost something that you treasured and for a moment you felt like your world had stood still? You weren't able to imagine your world without it because it really mattered to you. Have you ever lost your phone and you knew there was no way of getting it back because it didn't have a tracking feature and you didn't even know the phone's IMEI code? It can be really frustrating but for iPhone users and those who plan to buy the phone, there is a plan underway to enable you track the phone even when it's switched off!
Apple was awarded with a patent at the end of January that will allow it to protect the iPhone from theft through the use of a wireless data processing device that will allow the phone to go to an unpowered state and still be able to transmit location data.
The users will be required to enter a security code before switching the phone off. If the wrong code is entered, after a few attempts, the phone shuts down immediately. However, while it seems to be completely switched off, it can still send messages and connect to the internet.
The device is designed in a way that the camera can also be activated before shutting down. When activated, the camera can capture the images of the alleged robber and send them to another device. This is a great move but may give some users privacy concerns especially with the rise in spying over the recent years.
Apple has been known to file many patents at all times of the year. Many of them don't bear fruit and some don't get integrated to the phones even after the patent is awarded. If this is integrated, the tracking feature will be an added security measure for future iPhone users.
It's notable that smartphone theft has been on the decline over the past few years due to the introduction of the "kill switch'' technology and this move by Apple may help to reduce further the number of iPhone theft cases.
