Apple Patents Sponge Dock, Tamper-proof Labels

All Apple needs to see if an Apple product has been tampered with is the serial number: If the device is over a year old and the thing still turns on, it must have had a user-replaced battery, and therefore the item has been tampered with...

That dock looks awesome. I can't wait to see technology like that on a large scale.

Do Apple tamper seal comes with "warranty void if broken" or something more revolutionary?

Those labels sound suspiciously like the COA labels that Microsoft has been using for years now which are easily damaged if one tries to remove one or such as the ones which seal the Windows software packages, tear when you open the package.

Umm the tamper proof label's and seals have been around sincethe 1960's. I seriously doubt they will get that patent.

Oh apple you just love alienating the few users who actually like you enough to still buy your overpriced products.

Soon spongebob squarepants will be sued by apple because of its similarity in name.

This just shows that Apple has nothing better to do.

How can they patent technology which checks if the device has been opened? They've used labels like this for years on multiple electronics. If that patent is granted it will be another fail for our patent industry.

more lame and stupid greedy patents

The dock seems interesting, but is little better and an adjustable dock.

If they get the tamper label I'm storming the patent office. That has been used for decades.

lol @ spongebob user

When I first read

I had the same thought as Zak...how would they check if the foil is broken without breaking the foil? I highly doubt they would sacrifice aesthetics by putting in a window. I know there's a simple solution so someone please provide one.

a sponge dock has already been made apple.
http://www.ubergizmo.com/photos/20 [...] b-ipod.jpg

Oh, apple's trying to patent stickers now? Great.

Look there is already a web page for it!!!

http://www.spongedocks.net/

lol I live kinda close by and thought the name was funny...

how about a switch that when the case is opened stores a bit to signal that the case is breached, and has some sort of way to prevent that bit from being changed again. This way they could check by simply plugging in the ipod via cable and the ipod can report the state of the security chip. To prevent mix ups, apple would have to log the serial numbers of ipods fixed by official repair centers.

wish I had an edit button!

As a refinement to my previously mentioned idea,I propose that this chip can store the date(s) of case breaches in a permanent fashion. If the chip reports dates that are not logged, then it is likely that the case was opened outside of apple's control. this is prone to mistake and failure, but not to the extent that a sticker would be!

The Cupertino-based company described these labels as U-shaped or zigzagged pieces of paper, plastic, or a metallic foil that tears or otherwise becomes damaged if the case of the device is opened.

Hmmmmm.......that sounds rather familiar. Isn't there something similar but for other products?

Honestly A STICKER.. APples has to be losing it somewhere. Vermonts Inspection stickers have done that for something like 30 years. The new ones even leave a lovly void in the torn sticker if you try and razorblade them off.
I would also like to point out that they could always have put in a switch or sensor that would detect the item was tampered with thus bricking the device. That way you cant send it back since you know they know you mucked with it and adding that most people would just buy another ICRAP thing could add more to the bottom line.

hmm, this "mystery material" may be a Changling.. the truth is out! Apple has sided with the Dominion..

HAHA Rambo Watching that now... Poor Odo sick with that virus.

I reckon this seal will break in the event of an iPod exploding.

Rambo? Whats that got to do with this story? Oh wait, you are 9 and play with legos, nevermind. Relevant.

I think the new dock is interesting. As far as the tamper sticker, another good idea. Apple is not trying to give money away. Some people think it is their right of passage to poke and prod on the devices they own and yet still be covered under warranty. In fact, it is your right as a consumer. Just don't expect Apple to have your back if you screw it up. But with this, problem solved. But I think the simplest solution for those that have an issue with it is to just not buy the product in the first place.

My comment wasn't aimed toward you Rambo117. It was toward the other childish remarks. But being a kid isn't an insult. Just a sign of immaturity.