New Apple Product Would ‘Enforce’ Advertisements

CUPERTINO, Calif. — If Apple implements a new technology it’s trying to patent, consumers may be forced to read advertisements — and prove it.

Steve Jobs’ empire is working on a patent for what the company called an “enforcement routine” that could interact with virtually any device with a screen. The enforcement routine would freeze the device and present the user with an advertisement. In order to unfreeze the device the user would have to answer a question.

According to the patent application, this functionality would be woven into the device’s core code. That would not only make it more difficult to disable, but it would also give advertisers the power to deliver ads at any time, no matter what the user was doing.

In addition, the patent also specifies that the ads can increase in number and intensity if a user ignores them. For example, if a user repeatedly ignores ads, they will shrink and demand the user enter in more and more complicated keystrokes, including strings of random characters, the current date or the name of the advertiser.

What’s the upside? The tech’s inventors said that Apple could potentially offer various products for free if users agreed to watch the ads. Hardware could then become its own upsell, because users could later pay a fee to deactivate the ads.

The patent application, which bears Steve Jobs' name and approval, has received mixed reaction from the tech community. Randall Stross of the New York Times bemoaned the involvement of the normally user-friendly Jobs in the project.

“How Mr. Jobs reconciles this advertising technology with Apple’s culture is not known,” he said.

But ZDNet’s Adrian Kingsley-Hughes suggested that the technology could be used to sell content, not hardware.

“Compared to the price of the hardware, content is pennies, and it’s easy to see a mechanism that allows owners to collect content credits in exchange for watching or listening to a few ads,” he said. Later, he added, “A certain number of credits buys you a song, a higher level allows you to rent a movie, and more credits would allow you to buy a movie. You’d have to watch a heck of a lot of ads to make up for a $100 reduction in the price of a device.”

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Ofcom: Age Assurance Going Live Across 'Thousands' of Porn Sites

U.K. communications regulator Ofcom said in a statement Thursday that providers of online pornography are implementing age assurance across “thousands of sites” accessible in the U.K., in response to Ofcom’s Online Safety Act (OSA) enforcement program.

ASGMax Debuts 'Roleplay' AI Chat Feature

Alpha Studio Group (ASG) has introduced the ASGmax Roleplay AI chat feature.

XBIZ Miami's Host Hotel Sold Out, General Registration Now Open

Guest rooms at XBIZ Miami’s exclusive conference venue, Nautilus Sonesta Miami Beach hotel in South Beach, are now completely sold out.

Adult Industry Educational, Networking Platform 'Imperfectly You' Launches

Imperfectly You, an educational and networking platform for adult industry workers, has officially launched.

Segpay to Launch News Network for High-Risk Merchants

Segpay has announced that it will launch the Segpay News Network (SNN) on April 15.

Age Verification Watch: Patching the Holes

This roundup provides an update on the latest news and developments on the age verification front as it impacts the adult industry.

Pineapple Support to Host Autism Spectrum Support Group

Pineapple Support is hosting a free online support group for performers and creators who are, or suspect they may be, on the autism spectrum.

ImLive Launches Revamped Member Loyalty Program

Cam platform ImLive has revamped its member loyalty program.

GoFundMe Set Up for Danny Ferretti's Medical Expenses

A GoFundMe campaign has been set up for Fangear founder Danny Ferretti, who requires extensive lung surgery.

Byborg Acquires Cuties AI

Byborg Enterprises has acquired adult artificial intelligence startup Cuties AI.

Show More