You may soon have no other choice but to watch a concert with your own two eyes instead of through a phone.

Apple has patented a new technology that disables an iPhone’s ability to take photos and videos via an infrared signal.

The technology would stop people from taking footage at concert venues, cinemas, and theatres.

An infrared signal could be sent out in places where recording video or taking photos is prohibited; the iPhone would detect the signal and immediately shut down its recording capabilities.

The technology could bring concerts back to what they are actually about: watching live music and living in the moment.

A sea full of cell phones at a packed concert venue not only means that hundreds or thousands of people aren’t experiencing the artist and the music for themselves, but they also get in the way of the view (and experience) of other concertgoers.

The only thing worse than watching a live concert from your phone is watching someone else’s phone during a concert because it’s all up in your face.

Let’s not forget that it’s disrespectful to the artists too, as they stare out into the crowd to see smartphones instead of faces. Not to mention, when they know they’re being videotaped, they may not take risks or try new stuff. In a video that quickly made its way around the internet, Adele recently singled out a fan for videotaping a show, saying “this isn’t a DVD, this is a real show.”

The same can be said for live comedy; it’s the reason Kevin Hart has such a strict no phone policy (if you’re seen with a phone in your hand, you’re immediately escorted out).

According to Patently Apple, Apple’s iPhone-disabling plan was met with backlash from the video loving tech set and others who fear that camera-blocking tech will be used for the wrong reasons, especially if it becomes portable.

According to Apple, the signal could also be used to act as a retail assistant or a tour guide in museums, whereby users could point their phone at a piece of artwork and the phone could provide additional details about the piece.

Back to the concert experience: What’s the point in paying for a ticket if you’re going to watch a concert through a lens? And are you really going to play back that 15-minute video? Probably not.

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