3M Mobile ID Reader Helps Big Brother Take Your Identity More Efficiently
0 comments Posted by Bunny at 7:07 AM
3M's new Mobile ID Reader scans MRZ and RF chip data from passports and visas and immediately checks them against local or international watch lists by using wifi or GSM/GPRS EDGE networks. It seems like a great tool to further make you feel like you're living in some scary dystopian sci-fi novel, especially when you hear that dastardly monopolist Bill Gates got his little-loved Windows Mobile 6 OS onto the device.
The Mobile ID Reader boasts an 8GB capacity, so when hackers crack the “encrypted formats feature,” they'll have access to tons of personal and privileged data. Other features include a sunlight-safe touchscreen and a capacitive fingerprint sensor. The device is meant to be used by authorities at event checkpoints, like its first tryout at the Euro Cup 2008 soccer tournament, but it shouldn't be long before you see it at your local Trader Joe's, checking up on the hippies. [Wired]
Like the Batman system, the more phones on the ground, the better, since it would be able to triangulate the source of radiation more accurately. Phones closest to the deadly stuff as they pass by would give off stronger signals, pinpointing where it's at, or how it's moving in real time. Also, the larger the scale of the project, the less the system would cost per phone—right now it's around $50-$100 a phone. Blown up to a hundred million phones, the price would plummet.
Obviously, there are some major civil rights issues here, especially if you're legally required to be a constantly lo-jacked, walking bomb detector for the Man. Newsweek suggests a more diplomatic and less creepy solution, where government agencies would pay you to opt-in. I think that's one paycheck I'd have to pass on. [Newsweek]
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According to LG, the future of HD video, mobile phone cameras, and the point-and-shoot varietals couldn't be more, well, the same. At a round table event in London this past week, the company hyped up convergence between the industries, and used its camera-happy KC-910 to show why there is no reason why mobiles should not overtake or absorb digital cameras in the near future. When one looks at what the KC-910 (aka Renoir) will bring to the cell phone market, it's hard not to agree. As we've detailed here before, this "phone" comes equipped with an 8-megapixel cam with a Schneider-Kreuznach lens and xenon flash. ISO is rated up to 1600, and it also does VGA video at 30fps as well as high-speed 120fps filming (at QVGA resolution).
LG also touted its new relationship with DivX as fodder for future change in the industry (the Renoir contains software for converting files into DivX files, for viewing on the phone). DivX's Andy Glasson said HD recording in mobile phones is also something to watch next year. Glasson explained that his company is already working on H264 encoding and decoding technology that would make this kind of recoding possible.
Now, if they could just slap a Red 3K Scarlet or 5K Epic digital camera in a cell phone, I think we could officially label this development "progress." Until then, we wait. [Cell Phone Feeds]
We've seen plenty of gear co-branded by high-end automakers, but only Ducati's really putting out bike-themed gear, and the latest gadget to get dressed up in cycle gear is the Sony Ericsson Z770 flip phone. Due out in Italy this June, the Ducati Z770 isn't anything particularly special apart from that paint job and a special Ducati-themed HBH DS-220 headset, but if you're into tri-band GSM non-smartphones with slightly better browsers, it's not a bad piece of kit. Just remember to take your keys out of your bike when you wander off chatting away, alright?
[Via UnwiredView]
I guess the rich keep getting richer! This piece of ultimate "Bling Bling" might be the only cellphone on earth that can get you laid. Aloisson is the mad mind behind this project and they expect it to sell well at only $1.3 million dollars a pop. This cell phone features a diamond-encrusted case and a 5-carat blue diamond in place of the center navigation button. This ritzy phone isn't all looks either! It comes complete with intense encryption and all the regular goodies such as SMS/MMS, WAP, JAVA, Email and 29 built in ringtones.
Mobile handset major Nokia today launched the premium multimedia sub-brand, 'Nokia N78', under its Nokia N series in India.
The handset, which is the slimmest of Nseries devices, has 2.4 inch screen, high-speed connectivity via WLAN and HSPDA 3.5G, and a 3.2 megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss optics for great image quality.
The highlight of the N78 is the ‘Location Tagger" application, which automatically tags location data to the picture -- allowing users to save pictures by date as well as by geographical coordinates.
Additionally, N78 enables consumers to take full advantage of a suite of Nokia services, including the Nokia Maps and integrated A-GPS. It is expected to retail for approximately Rs 19,999, a company release said here.
It also features location-tagging, which merges camera functionality and A-GPS to not only share pictures but also the places where they were taken. Users can now store all information about locations they visit using an image and share it online with the world. It also allows the fusion of music, camera and internet, enabling users to generate content right from the palms of their hands.
N78 is the first Nokia device to come with widgets enabled by Web Runtime technology. Combining the power of mobile with the power of the Internet, widgets, such as Weatherbug and RSS feed reader. It allows consumers to get quick and easy access to their favorite web content.
Today, widgets can be downloaded through Download! and MOSH, a mobile content distribution platform, the release added.
MultiEyeVision, a technology group based in Pune, announced the release of their "MultiEyeVision Observer", which is a mobile phone that is also capable of functioning as a remote monitoring camera. The product is motivated by a desire to offer an easy-to-use, inexpensive and hassle-free monitoring solution to consumers as well as businesses.
The "Observer" is a preconfigured and preloaded mobile phone, and is available in several models of established brands. The Observer mobile uses its inbuilt camera to capture images, and its inbuilt data connection to transmit the images continuously for secure viewing from anywhere over the internet.
The obvious advantages of the Observer over other solutions are that you don't need cabling, a broadband connection or a computer and is therefore very easy to operate.
The second advantage is the mobility - it can be moved and placed anywhere at any time. The best aspect about the Observer is that it also functions as a phone, which means you can call the location that you are observing, whenever you feel like.
The MultiEyeVision Observer can be used by individuals as well as by businesses. For example, the Observer can be placed at home to monitor the house / kids, or view elderly or sick relatives when you have to go to work. There are also many senior citizens whose children are away or abroad. The Observer allows the children abroad to "see" their parents in India whenever they feel like.
There are many business applications too - the Observer can be placed in an office, business and workshop to monitor smooth functioning while the owner is not in. Other potential applications of the Observer include monitoring of warehouses, outdoor locations, construction sites, franchises / dealer networks, hospitals / recovery rooms, restaurants and shops.
Milind Pandit of MultiEyeVision said, "This is a product for people who wish to be in two places at once. Placing the Observer allows you to monitor / observe a remote place without being there physically. Not only does the Observer enhance security, but it also saves time and costs associated with travel between places."
MultiEyeVision also builds custom solutions for enterprises that have specific requirements for remote monitoring or data collection.
