Apple drops apps for DUI checkpoints.

[woo me with science]

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2011-06-09-apple-DUI-checkpoints-app_n.htm

It's getting harder for tech-savvy drivers to pinpoint the locations of police drunken-driving checkpoints: Apple will ban from its online store future applications that inform users of checkpoint locations not publicized by police.

The move comes three months after four Democratic U.S. senators — Charles Schumer of New York, Harry Reid of Nevada, Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey and Tom Udall of New Mexico — asked three smartphone manufacturers to quit selling such downloadable apps or to remove the DUI checkpoint function.

Canada-based Research in Motion, maker of Blackberry smartphones, pulled the apps immediately. Apple, manufacturer of the iPhone, and Google, which makes the Android, did not. Last month at a hearing before the Senate subcommittee on privacy, technology and the law, Schumer pressed top executives from Apple and Google to restrict sales of such apps.

...
The senators applauded Apple's move to restrict future such apps but said the company also should remove current ones.

(more at link)

[hlthe2b]

1. Would someone that drunk ....

really have the presence of mind to call up an app to plan their route home (and be able to interpret it?)

I think those using it might be more likely to be paranoid "single drink after work" types. But, who knows....:shrug:

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

2. Buy an Android phone.

Google doesn't have the power to prevent you from installing an app in your phone.

Even if they pull it from their market, you can still install it from a download site.

You know, like a PC.

[Rex]

3. Good to see Apple bowing down to Big Brother, guess they lost the war

in 1984...whatthefuckever Apple. You chumps lick bootstrap ballsacks and ask for more!

[Hutzpa]

4. +1000

I'm disappointed in Apple.

Thought Steve Jobs was a radical, what happened to that?

[Rex]

5. People of a certain age remember the supposed counter-culture

Apple\Mac was supposedly to bring to the Big Brother Microsoft masses...yeah disappointment at the sellout too.

[lapislzi]

6. Now if only Apple could offer a "don't send that naked pic" app

I would buy it, and gift to others.