Apple invention could put an end to recording at gigs

Apple has been awarded a patent for a system that could disable your phone's camera or make the resulting video or image unviewable.

A sea of smartphones and lit up screens at gigs is pretty much an inevitability. This has riled up plenty of performers in recent years, but they may soon be able to rest easy as Apple has an invention in mind that would disable the camera on your phone.

It has been awarded a patent for a system that could be installed in concert venues. This system uses an infrared beam to temporarily disable the camera on your phone, according to NME. It might disable the camera completely, or it could render it pointless by displaying a watermark or blur.

As with all patents, just because it has been awarded doesn't mean that it will be used - and even if it is, it could take some time.

In the meantime, we could have more high profile rants to look forward to.