(Updated to reflect win) A newly-granted Apple patent suggests the company's interest in deterring theft of its devices. Titled Acceleration-based theft detection system for portable electronic devices, the filing describes a hardware/software system in which a motion sensor could be used to trigger an alarm if a device is suddenly taken. The system could, critically, be set to ignore motions which are uncharacteristic of stealing. Users could also tweak its behavior, by adjusting sensitivity or leaving it off completely.
