Maybe Apple is patenting this in order to ensure it <i>does not get invented</i> (for awhile). Some companies patent something to ensure nobody else can do it either, with the idea that the invention will just die after that.<p>Maybe. But ... I'm to cynical to put my faith in "maybe".
Once again: If you read the actual patent ( <a href="http://www.google.com/patents/US8254902" rel="nofollow">http://www.google.com/patents/US8254902</a> ), the quote about some police activity requiring <i>complete blackout conditions</i> is actually in reference to the <i>screen brightness</i>, not the cameras. One aspect of the idea seems to be that the phones OF THE COPS would be able to go dark in response to a central command. It has nothing to do with turning off the cameras of citizen-journalists.<p>(jwz nails it here: <a href="http://www.jwz.org/blog/2013/08/oh-noes-apple-has-patented-b.." rel="nofollow">http://www.jwz.org/blog/2013/08/oh-noes-apple-has-patented-b...</a>. )<p>Here is the full paragraph from which the misleading quote was yanked:<p>> <i>Excessive lighting emanating from wireless devices can also create disruption in dark environments. While it is well known that excessive or bright lighting in a movie theater can spoil the mood of certain movies, excessive lighting can also become a more serious issue in other contexts. For example, darkrooms used to develop film can only tolerate very low amounts of ambient lighting. Some biological labs also require low levels of lighting in certain instances (for example, as in the growth of light-sensitive bacteria). Covert police or government operations may require complete “blackout” conditions. A person's sleep can even be interrupted by a bright flashing or modulating display (such as to indicate an incoming call).</i>
Per the FCC, "Federal law prohibits the operation, marketing, or sale of any type of jamming equipment, including devices that interfere with cellular and Personal Communication Services, police radar, Global Positioning Systems, and wireless networking services (Wi-Fi)."<p>Although, I'm sure an exception would be made for law enforcement on the grounds of national security.
On the other hand. Apple users can already determine the location of their phone and remotely lock or wipe out the iPhone using Apple's iCloud website. Thus apple has technical ability to do just the same - just a matter of sending few command by the server administrator.
Not just for police... I'd imagine event organizers would like to have just such a technology at their venues to prevent "unauthorized recording." Seems pretty useless in practice though. Couldn't you just put your phone into airplane mode?
I think they are talking about the patent that is 3 years old and allows them to turn functions off, no mention of the camera. Like the rest of the media they have immediately jumped to the worst case scenario.