A patent application from Apple was recently discovered and publicized by patentlyapple.com in a blog post. Some iPad and iPhone owners fear this is an attempt by Apple to detect and deactivate jailbroken devices. However, the majority of the patent description details new features regarding remote security, so they should rest a bit easier.

The patentlyapple.com blog post stated that the new powerful technology includes additional security features like taking a picture or recording the voice of a thief. The patent summary also reported that additional methods and systems for “detecting an unauthorized user, gathering information related to the electronic device, the unauthorized user, or both, and transmitting an alert notification to a responsible party for the electric device are provided.” It even went on to joke that the iOS security is so intelligent that the type of vehicle the device is being used within will soon be able to be identified.

Before the conspiracy theorists get too comfortable, the application does mention the ability to remotely assess whether an iPad or iPhone is jailbroken. It also details ways to restrict the capabilities of said device. However, this should not lead one to conclude that this is what Apple plans to do. The Digital Millennium Copyright Act declares that it is legal to jailbreak these devices.

The main content of the patent application pertains to ways to determine whether a device is stolen or lost and how to alert the party responsible. It also covers ways to prevent unauthorized parties from getting access to sensitive information contained on the device. Ways to gather details to track down the device are also covered.

Adopting some of the methods described in the patent application could make significant progress in improving the security of tablet computers and smartphones. As a result, more companies may feel comfortable with condoning business use of the devices. IT administrators will embrace the abilities to monitor the devices remotely and take steps to retrieved lost or stolen iPads.