Apple might be looking to block phones from taking photos at gigs

Instagrammers of the world, to your panic stations - Apple have just been granted a new patent that might prevent gig-goers from taking photos of the bands they’re seeing.

As 9to5Mac reports, “The patent describes the camera detecting an infrared signal and interpreting the data. One signal could be used to disable both still photography and video recording.”

Essentially, venues and other such places could transmit a beam of infrared light that would shut down your camera’s ability to get snap happy. Absolute nightmare for social media presence, absolute godsend for those who like to watch the show through their actual eyes. “The same approach could be used to prevent video recording in movie theatres, and to block photography in sensitive locations,” say 9to5Mac.

There’s no indication that Apple are looking to implement the technology into their next round of iPhones, expected this Autumn, but it’s an interesting development in the ongoing war between phone-lovers and gig-goers.