Lost Packets
While most wireless devices get smaller as they evolve, the latest mobile gadget to hit the scene at Bell Mobility’s Wireless Internet Conference (WIC) last month in Toronto was about the size of an elephant. The Baka Trak-IT Wireless Freedom Smart Car – a Daimler Chrysler vehicle imported from Europe – features a plethora of wireless wide area and wireless local area networking capabilities in addition to wireless Internet and secured VPN access and an 802.11 hotspot, GPS tracking system and a wireless video camera. According to Baka, the car, specifically equipped for WIC, demonstrated the benefits of networks working together and served as an example of how companies can apply wireless technology to allow field workers to have access to information and applications while, literally, on the road. For more information, visit www.baka.ca.
Tommy Chong’s Web dealings go up in smoke
Canadian-born actor Tommy Chong, one half of the drug-induced ’70s duo, Cheech & Chong, was last month sentenced to a nine-month prison stay and US$20,000 for selling drug paraphernalia online. U.S. prosecutors alleged that Chong raised nearly US$1.6 million selling marijuana pipes online before federal agents raided his Gardena, Calif.-based company, Nice Dreams Enterprises, in February. Chong admitted to selling pipes and bongs online four months ago, via two Web sites. As a part of his sentence, Chong has been ordered to abandon the Web sites and forfeit US$103,000 in sales proceeds.
‘Safe’ zones to disable picture phones
If you have ever been photographed somewhere you weren’t supposed to be, with someone you weren’t supposed to be with or doing something you weren’t supposed to be doing, a British company has your best interest in mind. Sensaura Ltd., together with Iceberg Systems, is in the process of developing what it calls ‘Safe Haven’ – a technology that would disable picture phones by sending a signal notifying the phone it is in a privacy zone. Simply put, areas such as a school, office or warehouse facility could be designated as a localized environment in which imaging systems in mobile phones would automatically be switched off. However, the technology is still far from ready. Iceberg said it is in talks with leading handset manufacturers to develop phones that understand the signals and know what to do about them. Sensaura is an audio IP licensing firm; Iceberg develops mobile technology. For more information, visit www.sensaura.com.
