An iPhone feature sure to please the ladies

Here is one from the creep-ware department. Japanese tech reporter Nobuyuki Hayashi reports that Apple is equipping the new iPhone 3G models for the Japan market with a country-specific feature to stop local perverts from snapping so-called "up-skirt" or "down-blouse" photos of unsuspecting women.

Evidently, this form of "gotcha!" amateur photography is becoming an increasing problem in some public places in Japan, like on the escalators of Tokyo subway stops, Cult of Mac reports. As a result, camera phone manufacturers have been selling handsets that make a distinctive shutter sound to warn women (or, anyone nearby for that matter) that someone is taking a photo with their mobile. The first generation iPhones, however, had a silence mode that disabled this warning function. The new models, now on sale in Japan, however, "do make a sound if you take picture even when it is set to silent mode," Hayashi writes.

Ladies, you've been warned.

Comments

[Chris Allison]

Mine doesnt make the shutter noise when its on silent, but I have the UK version. Prob best not to point out that creeps travel to the UK too!!

[Geedavey]

Great, now when you take a picture of police brutality, the cops know exactly who should get the next beat-down.

[koos]

Ahh So now I can sell my 3G iphone thru ebay to a Japanese pervert for top dollar!

[Jeff]

The perverts across the world (bar Japan) collectively breathe a huge sigh of relief.

[jack]

Yet again, another foolproof technology solution to a social problem. It will work perfectly, because no-one would ever think to cover the speaker port with a piece of adhesive tape, or simply ones thumb.

[jimmy]

i dont think they have that many problems with bad police in japan.