The software displays warnings regarding unauthorized hardware use

Jul 22, 2013 20:01 GMT  ·  By

In light of a reported accident involving an Apple iPhone electrocuting its owner, I’d like to highlight one feature in iOS 7 that might just end up saving lives.

I stumbled across this press release that laments over iOS 7’s ability to detect unauthorized Lightning cables or accessories when they are plugged into an iDevice.

“This news may be a tragedy for unauthorized Lightning product manufacturers. It's only a warning for now, but Apple has shown it may take stronger action later,” reads the text.

You won’t see Apple boasting about it in the WWDC 2013 keynote video, but it’s true – when faced with unauthorized hardware, iOS 7 displays a message that states, “This cable or accessory is not certified and may not work reliably with this iPhone.”

A tragedy for iAccessory makers? Maybe. But it's also a leg up for public safety. That girl who died electrocuted by her iPhone was reportedly using a knockoff charger.

Not that iOS 7 will prevent users from employing counterfeit hardware, but at least they’ll get the proper warning.