Ramblings of an old Doc

 

 

(photo credit Neowin altered by me)

“Apple picking” no longer refers to going to an orchard with the kids, at least not in the Big Apple.

It now refers to the phone being snatched out of peoples’ hands while they’re talking!

The iPhone’s pretty popular in the Big Apple: So popular that a special police unit to prevent iPhone thieves has been created to deal with this as well as tablet theft.

The way the unit works is as soon as a theft is reported, the unit contacts Apple and asks to be notified as soon as the unit is activated. Apple is apparently cooperating with the effort although they haven’t stated so directly.

According to CNN (quoting police sources), about 75% stay in New York City. Apparently, the unit is pretty successful in reuniting owners with their property. No direct statistics were supplied, though. Sometimes they catch the thieves and others people who thought they were just buying a used unit.

Another good note: The phone industry is creating a database which when up and running will bar devices being activated or provided service on an LTE network in the USA. The database, as well as the police unit are pursuing all theft, not just of Apple products. The majority of their work is with Apple’s products because of their general popularity, the police stated.

In fact, NYC theft statistics rose by 3% last year. They would actually have fallen if mobile device theft wasn’t so severe.

So… be aware… and don’t flaunt your gear!

Sources:

http://www.cnn.com/2013/02/22/tech/mobile/nypd-iphone-squad/index.html

http://www.neowin.net/news/nypd-has-a-group-dedicated-to-recovering-stolen-iphones


Comments
on Feb 24, 2013

IF I were going to steal a phone, it woudn't be an Apple one... no fecking way.   For mine, a Nokia Lumia with Windows 8 on it is the better choice, not that I have a need to steal one, give I already have a Lumia 820... and if that's stolen I have the 'ring my phone' feature to locate it, and my carrier disables it the instant it's reported missing.

don’t flaunt your gear!

Never.... don't wanna embarrass myself.

on Feb 26, 2013

starkers
IF I were going to steal a phone, it woudn't be an Apple one.

You do not steal phones.

I saw the same article as Dr JBHL - and the story goes that they can get up to $300 for one!  I find that hard to believe, but I guess they know where there is a sucker that will buy a used HOT phone for that amount.

on Feb 26, 2013

"You do not steal phones."

No, I don't steal anything.  I was taught at a very young age not to steal.

I was about 4 when I took a plastic toy chicken from a Woolworths store in the UK.  My mother discovered it and frog-marched me back to the store to own up to what I'd done.  I can still remember the fear and embarrassment... the feeling of heaviness in my bowel as the manager said he was calling the police.  I recall the moments of agony as he called in a copper from off the street and proceeded to tell him what I had done... and the bollocking I got off the copper.

I know now that the threats of being locked up were just a fear tactic to make me think twice, but it worked.  Throughout the rest of my childhood, my adult life too, taking what didn't/doesn't belong to me is not on the agenda... period.

on Feb 26, 2013

starkers
taking what didn't/doesn't belong to me is not on the agenda... period.

C.C.N.I.  [Curried Cabbage Not Included]

on Feb 26, 2013

DrJBHL


Quoting starkers, reply 3taking what didn't/doesn't belong to me is not on the agenda... period.

C.C.N.I.  [Curried Cabbage Not Included]

Ah, but curried cabbage is ALWAYS mine.

Not that I eat a lot of it.  No, really! 

It's more of a treat these days, and I have to be extra special good to qualify.

on Feb 26, 2013

Pirate Captain starkers says,

starkers
Ah, but curried cabbage is ALWAYS mine.

meaning, "Curried cabbage wot's mine is mine and curried cabbage wot's yers is mine."

 

on Feb 27, 2013

Including the toxic fallout. Maybe that's why San Fran has so much brown goo floating around the bridge. Too much CC imports.

The guy to the left of the apple.....he looks like Curly from the Three Stooges.