Blocking stolen gadgets. Free Technical Library News

NEWS OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, NOVELTY IN ELECTRONICS
Free technical library / timeline

Blocking stolen gadgets

11.02.2014

California state senators have filed a bill requiring manufacturers to add a "kill-switch" option to their smartphones and tablet computers. The move is being touted as a forced response to the rise in mobile device theft in the US. The submitted bill, the initial ideas of which we have already talked about on our website, requires the implementation of a technological solution that will make the device absolutely useless if it is stolen, blocking access to the main functions of the device. The technology, despite the regional peculiarity of the bill under consideration, should ensure the functioning of the "kill-switch" system both in California itself and beyond its borders. The feature lock will apply to absolutely anywhere in the United States.

Under Act No. 962, the California Senate requires manufacturers to implement a technology solution to block stolen devices. All mobile devices that went on sale from January 1, 2015 fall under the bill. True, the regulations do not at all describe the principle of the "kill-switch" technology and the methodology for its implementation. It is up to manufacturers to find the right solution privately. Its integration is possible both with the help of the software component of the device, and using the hardware approach.

A combined solution to this problem is also possible, which also provides for the interaction of mobile operators and manufacturers. But a prerequisite, according to California senators, is the absolute reliability of the chosen method, which must be resistant to attempts to reinstall the operating system, the intervention of third-party software to crack the "firmware" and other methods that involve resetting the existing protection on smartphones. The bill also defined a mandatory functional component that is subject to blocking: making phone calls, accessing the Internet and the ability to launch applications. True, whether this applies to all applications installed in the device or the list will have a certain list of programs is not specified.

The bill also provided for penalties for those who decide not to heed the demands of the Senate. For each device sold that does not contain the described technological solution, a fine of $500 to $2500 is due. However, individuals and used devices do not fall under the "punitive" measures of California officials. Users will be able to disable the option at their discretion, but retailers will be strictly prohibited from offering such a service on their own.

Given the explosive growth in sales of mobile electronics, especially in the United States, half of the robberies in San Francisco and 75% of such crimes in Oakland were committed because the victim had a mobile device that the robber decided to profit from. The statistics of such criminal atrocities in Los Angeles is also growing every year, along with smartphone sales, according to local police reports.

The described problem has approximately the same scale character for all states of America. Therefore, if the submitted bill is approved, then with a high degree of probability there will be a "chain reaction" in all administrative units of the United States. Ultimately, according to experts, this will lead to the introduction of "kill-switch" everywhere, and not just at the local level. Then manufacturers will not need to focus on the peculiarities of California legislation, since the US commercial market will not be able to offer the buyer "unprotected" mobile devices.

Samsung, Google, Microsoft and Apple have already heeded the demands to secure their products. In turn, the Cupertians introduced the lock activation function in the new iOS 7 operating system, and the South Korean manufacturer used the "Lojack for Mobile Devices" software in some of its smartphones.

<< Back: Samsung Galaxy Tab Lite 3 12.02.2014

>> Forward: Proton hydrogen batteries 11.02.2014

Latest news of science and technology, new electronics:

The existence of an entropy rule for quantum entanglement has been proven 09.05.2024

Quantum mechanics continues to amaze us with its mysterious phenomena and unexpected discoveries. Recently, Bartosz Regula from the RIKEN Center for Quantum Computing and Ludovico Lamy from the University of Amsterdam presented a new discovery that concerns quantum entanglement and its relation to entropy. Quantum entanglement plays an important role in modern quantum information science and technology. However, the complexity of its structure makes understanding and managing it challenging. Regulus and Lamy's discovery shows that quantum entanglement follows an entropy rule similar to that for classical systems. This discovery opens new perspectives in the field of quantum information science and technology, deepening our understanding of quantum entanglement and its connection to thermodynamics. The results of the study indicate the possibility of reversibility of entanglement transformations, which could greatly simplify their use in various quantum technologies. Opening a new rule ... >>

Mini air conditioner Sony Reon Pocket 5 09.05.2024

Summer is a time for relaxation and travel, but often the heat can turn this time into an unbearable torment. Meet a new product from Sony - the Reon Pocket 5 mini-air conditioner, which promises to make summer more comfortable for its users. Sony has introduced a unique device - the Reon Pocket 5 mini-conditioner, which provides body cooling on hot days. With it, users can enjoy coolness anytime, anywhere by simply wearing it around their neck. This mini air conditioner is equipped with automatic adjustment of operating modes, as well as temperature and humidity sensors. Thanks to innovative technologies, Reon Pocket 5 adjusts its operation depending on the user's activity and environmental conditions. Users can easily adjust the temperature using a dedicated mobile app connected via Bluetooth. Additionally, specially designed T-shirts and shorts are available for convenience, to which a mini air conditioner can be attached. The device can oh ... >>

Energy from space for Starship 08.05.2024

Producing solar energy in space is becoming more feasible with the advent of new technologies and the development of space programs. The head of the startup Virtus Solis shared his vision of using SpaceX's Starship to create orbital power plants capable of powering the Earth. Startup Virtus Solis has unveiled an ambitious project to create orbital power plants using SpaceX's Starship. This idea could significantly change the field of solar energy production, making it more accessible and cheaper. The core of the startup's plan is to reduce the cost of launching satellites into space using Starship. This technological breakthrough is expected to make solar energy production in space more competitive with traditional energy sources. Virtual Solis plans to build large photovoltaic panels in orbit, using Starship to deliver the necessary equipment. However, one of the key challenges ... >>

New method for creating powerful batteries 08.05.2024

With the development of technology and the expanding use of electronics, the issue of creating efficient and safe energy sources is becoming increasingly urgent. Researchers at the University of Queensland have unveiled a new approach to creating high-power zinc-based batteries that could change the landscape of the energy industry. One of the main problems with traditional water-based rechargeable batteries was their low voltage, which limited their use in modern devices. But thanks to a new method developed by scientists, this drawback has been successfully overcome. As part of their research, scientists turned to a special organic compound - catechol. It turned out to be an important component that can improve battery stability and increase its efficiency. This approach has led to a significant increase in the voltage of zinc-ion batteries, making them more competitive. According to scientists, such batteries have several advantages. They have b ... >>

Alcohol content of warm beer 07.05.2024

Beer, as one of the most common alcoholic drinks, has its own unique taste, which can change depending on the temperature of consumption. A new study by an international team of scientists has found that beer temperature has a significant impact on the perception of alcoholic taste. The study, led by materials scientist Lei Jiang, found that at different temperatures, ethanol and water molecules form different types of clusters, which affects the perception of alcoholic taste. At low temperatures, more pyramid-like clusters form, which reduces the pungency of the "ethanol" taste and makes the drink taste less alcoholic. On the contrary, as the temperature increases, the clusters become more chain-like, resulting in a more pronounced alcoholic taste. This explains why the taste of some alcoholic drinks, such as baijiu, can change depending on temperature. The data obtained opens up new prospects for beverage manufacturers, ... >>

Random news from the Archive

iPhone SDH Released 16.04.2008

What was initially presented as an innovative mobile phone is gradually turning into something more, namely, into a serious competitor to smartphones and communicators, not only in the consumer sector, but also in the corporate one.

The first sign of a new stage in the development of the iPhone was the release of the corresponding tools for software developers, which took place on March 6, 2008 at a special press conference by Apple. During this event, the potential that the American manufacturer laid in its offspring was demonstrated, and it is considerable.

For corporate users, this is full support for Microsoft Exchange, and communication with the Exchange server is carried out directly, and not through additional firewalls and servers. The consumer, on the other hand, expects a significant expansion of the functionality of the device thanks to high-quality software and serious games (for example, Spore and Super Monkey Ball) from third-party manufacturers.

Apps can be downloaded to iPhone directly via Wi-Fi or EDGE, or via iTunes.

See full Archive of science and technology news, new electronics

All languages of this page

Home page | Library | Articles | Website map | Site Reviews