jump to navigation


British Big Brother: He Knows When You’ve Been Good Or Bad November 5, 2006

So be good for goodness sake… The year 1984 was a symbolic date that had everything to do with George Orwell’s 1949 novel of the same name. But Big Brother surveillance societies already are here, have been here, and will continue to be here. We’ve let it happen.

And it’s not just China, a country that actually wants all of their bloggers to register with the government, as if they were some sort of diseased creature harmful to the populace. (Websites there already have to be registered, legally speaking.) Privacy International, a civil liberties watchdog group, …

Schwarzenegger Terminates California RFID Bill October 6, 2006

Everybody’s writing about Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoing the RFID safety legislation tabled by California State senate, who called it premature and potentially hampering later technology that would lead to improved RFID secure technology. Maybe this is my gut reaction for another fake Hollywood politician that I have little respect for, but it really sounds like inverted logic. Of the kind where, if you cover your eyes, then no one can see you.

Are you surprised? I’m not. Not one bit. What does this tell you about him, who purportedly represents the interests of the largest state in …

Unwired - News About GPS, Wi-Fi, RFID, Bluetooth - Jun-01-2006 June 1, 2006

Here are some summaries related to wireless technologies (GPS, Wi-Fi, RFID, Bluetooth) for Jun 1, 2006:

Unwired - News About GPS, Wi-Fi, RFID, Bluetooth - May-27-2006 May 26, 2006

Here are some summaries related to wireless technologies (GPS, Wi-Fi, RFID, Bluetooth) for May 27, 2006:

Are Smartcards Becoming Too Niche-Focused? May 16, 2006

CardTechnology reported recently that Switzerland is trying out a new contactless payment card aimed at moviegoers. While this seems incredibly unusual, it seems to be one of the big problems with RFID and touchless payment systems. There are numerous RFID projects afoot all over the world, and no standards.

I’m not a big fan of digital money to begin with, but to aim cards at such a small niche seems a waste of effort. What’s worse, these cards will only work at Europlex cinemas. You have to open an account, deposit funds, then use your card to buy tickets and …

More RFID Technology Purchases May 10, 2006

In my last post, I talked about how a number of technology companies are buying up their suppliers. Given that RFID and NFC technology is behind most of the new digital touchless payment systems being tested in many parts of the world, it’s not suprising, then, that a company like NCR Corp (National Cash Register Corporation) recently purchased IDVelocity LLC, an RFID provider.

NCR has long been a producer of ATMs (automated teller machines), sometimes called ABMs (automated banking machines). Their technology is often branded with the logos of banks, credit unions, and other financial institutions, …

Some Interesting Technology Purchases May 7, 2006

It seems that some companies are being proactive and purchasing companies who are their suppliers or even software vendors. Now this isn’t exactly a new idea, but the actual technologies that are being gained haven’t typically been the subject of takeovers.

For example, Lockheed Martin is generally considered a defense contractor, but was often involved in NASA’s aeronautics projects as a supplier. Recently, they announced that they’ll be purchasing Savi Technology, a company that builds RFID solutions for defense and transportation. Apparently, it’s a huge purchase, in the 9-figures range.

Another similar recent purchase happened when John Deere, a …

Legitimate Global Village RFID Applications April 28, 2006

After scouring a few RFID weblogs and websites recently, I came to the realization that there are actually numerous RFID applications that do not fall into the “tracking human beings” category. Such example applications including the teaching of English and preventing incorrect usage of prescribed medicines. Certainly these are legitimate, even noble applications of RFID.

Other non-privacy-invading applications include supply chain systems, preventing lost baggage at airports, animal/ pet tracking, and even validating/ authenticating poker chips at casinos. Or imagine forklifts that can operate on their own, and know what flats they have to pick up and move. Of …

Quantizing Humans And Tracking Supermen - RFID Chips Go Cyborg April 11, 2006

In a recent episode of Smallville, the TV show about young Clark Kent before he becomes Superman, Chloe and Clark are trying to find Lana Lang, who’s developed a deadly addiction to a drug made from Kryptonite. Chloe goes on about how she can find Lana if Lana is carrying her student id card. According to her, new college student id cards have tracking enabled.

I’m assuming that they’re talking RFID chips, and the show is of course fiction, but this is the first I’ve heard of such use of student id cards. Imagine, if you’re a parent, you could keep …