Iworld

iPods Behind 'iCrime Wave'

Researchers assert that users should be given the possibility to render iPods useless, once stolen

By Filip Truta, Apple News Editor

5th of March 2008, 14:07 GMT

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The second released iPod nano (2006), probably the most popular among iPod thieves

Could it just be that Apple's releasing two new models of its iPod player three years ago has somehow triggered an increase in the U.S. crime rate? Even though Apple is just one of the companies rolling out new goods during that period, researchers believe the iPod alone is responsible for a 50 percent (or higher) increase in robberies.

Well, not the iPod itself of course, but the favorable approach

victim - steal goods - getaway situation that robbers usually keep an eye out for. Wired points out to one widely accepted theory which asserts that "crime happens when three things come together: A motivated offender encounters a suitable victim and perceives a high chance of getting away with it." Geeks/women with iPods pretty much fit the profile, wouldn't you say?

Researchers at a public policy institute claim that the sexy Apple player is the main reason U.S. violent crime has risen between 2005 and 2006. The kicker...? Violent crime had been declining by the passing of each year since 1991 (this is one hypothesis and even it has holes, according to the Wired piece).

The Washington think tank (The Urban Institute), however, doesn't blame Apple for the crime. Oh, they didn't, huh...? Jeez...! I mean, what would they charge them with, too much sexiness implemented in its gadgets? Anyway, what the researchers suggest is that manufacturers such as the Cupertino folks should however implement their systems with technologies that would render a stolen device useless. That I agree with! It's a bit difficult though, with players that don't require career registration, such as mobile phones.

It is well known that the white earbuds are a symbol for the iPod. That's why in 2005, New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority placed ads on the subways warning passengers: "Earphones are a giveaway. Protect your device," following an iPod theft increase on the subway from zero in 2004 to 50 in the first three months of 2005.

TAGS:

iPod | crime | robbery | US | gadget

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