Wednesday, July 6, 2016

New device would shut off cell phone cameras at concerts

RICHMOND, VA (WWBT) -

For people who like taking pictures and videos at concerts, they might not be happy about a new device just patented by Apple that would actually disable the camera on cell phones.

"If I can look back and see myself and what's happening in the background, its exciting," said Richmond musician, Luke Booth. For him, capturing a moment at a concert on camera is all part of the fun.

But concert-goer, Lauren Pettera, says it takes away from the experience. "I never really have out. I'm too busy dancing," she said.

With a new device patented by Apple and approved by U.S. Patent and Trademark Office last week, you won't have a choice.

The technology involves an infrared device that an artist would set up on stage to beam out encoded signals. Your phone would decode the data, rendering the screen incapable of recording.

It's an idea Innsbrook After Hours executive producer Larry Creeger says could hurt his business.

"Some of our best marketing is by our patrons taking pictures and posting it on Facebook and then re-posting it and sharing it."

But many performers who are tired of looking out into a sea of cell phones and seeing their shows posted online would welcome the change, like Adele who called out a fan for filming her at a recent concert in Italy.

"Can you stop filming me with a video camera, because I'm really here in real life," she says in the YouTube video. "You can enjoy it in real life, rather than through your camera."

As a musician himself, Booth can get on board with the idea.

"At the end of the day, you're going to have a better time if you're really in the moment rather than trying to capture the moment," he said. But as a local artist, he admits the exposure is key to being known.

"It spreads around and builds a rapport for the band," Booth continued.

"We're trying to entertain and have our patrons enjoy the concert, and part of their enjoyment is taking pictures," said Creeger.

"I wouldn't be upset because I'd still be there and experiencing it, that's what it's all about," said Pettera.

If and when Apple will create the technology is still unknown.

Copyright 2016 WWBT NBC12. All rights reserved

Report an Error or Submit a Tip to NBC12


Source: New device would shut off cell phone cameras at concerts

No comments:

Post a Comment