Not content with having surveillance cameras on every street corner, the UK is now about to fit police officers with head mounted video cameras. These 'head-cams' will be able to store up to 400 hours of footage with soundtrack on their hard drive.
The ‘head cams’ have already been tested in Plymouth which showed that these "body worn video devices" led to an increase in the proportion of crimes where the offender was brought to justice compared with incidents where the cameras were not used.
Before they can be used in an area the local police have to advertise the fact that they will be using this new type of surveillance gear with posters such as: "Glass head", "Police, camera, action!", "Handcuffed" and "Video Screen". When an officer is using the ‘head cam’ they will also have to display a sign informing the public that they will be using the device. Maybe a bid arrow on their head stating ‘You are being filmed, be careful what you do’….
Source: Thisislondon
Friday, July 13, 2007
UK Police Get Head Mounted Video Cameras
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Lexus Supercar Spied Testing
Here are some of the first pictures of the up and coming Lexus Supercar without its usual testing disguise. The car looks very similar to the LF-A showcar that Lexu unveiled at eth Detroit Motor Show in 2005. 
This rear-wheel-drive supercar will be powered by a front-mounted V10 and should develop around 500bhp. Lexus has still to confirm this as a new production car, but they would not be out and about testing undisguised if it was not going to reach a showroom near you soon.
The car certainly looks a cool ride.
Source: msn.co.uk
Belkin Sport Armband for the iPhone
The Belkin Sport Armband for the Apple iPhone provides a convenient and versatile solution for protecting and carrying your iPhone as part of your active lifestyle. The ultra-comfortable Sport Armband is hand-washable and water-resistant. It gives you easy navigation access to your iPhone and minimizes bulk on your arm.
Features:
Features super-lightweight and flexible neoprene material
Features screen and navigation protector
Volume-control easily accessible
Includes key pocket to hold your key
Features Velcro closure
The Belkin Sport Armband for the iPhone should be available from Amazon soon.
Source: Belkin
Talking Toilet To Invade The UK
It’s coming to a bathroom (restroom) near you; if you are in the UK, that is.
The Clean Seat Matic comes from Holland and is a 'talking toilet' which tells users when to press the flush. It contains a three-minute speech chip with a recorded set of instructions. Check out the video below
The system automatically places a paper cover seat and on flushing washes away everything including the paper seat. According to Hans van Reenen of manufacturer Clean Seat Holland said: 'The Clean Seat Matic is the first profit-making toilet that also provides a better experience for the customer. Customers appreciate this service and pay full attention to the messages.'
Features:
Offers a new standard in hygiene for toilets;
Was developed on the principal that every user is entitled to an absolutely clean, dry, sanitary, paper lined seat;
Provides comfort, simplicity;
Offers every user a safe and sanitary seat;
Functions without touching the system;
Is at the head of technological advances that provide comfort, simplicity and sanitary safety for each user;
Is controlled by the user by activating the infra-red sensor. Simply pass your hand over the sensor. The toilet seat automatically lowers and the toilet seat is completely lined with paper
Is equipped with a speech chip that requests the toilet user to flush the toilet after getting up from the toilet seat. Each required language can be recorded. Also a speech chip can be used with a capacity of 3 minutes. This option could be used for commercial or any other required information;
Is very easy to install. Just remove the toilet seat and install the device on the same place by 2 bolts.
It will be marketed at restaurants, stores and public buildings in the UK and is priced at £600 per unit.
No word on when or if it will appear in the States
Source: Clean Seat Holland via Which
Wii Taking Market Share
It would appear that Sony’s PlayStation 3 is taking a beating from Nintendo’s Wii console in Japan. Figures for the month of June show that 270,974 Wii’s were sold compared to only 41,628 PS3’s and even less Xbox 360’s at 17,616. That’s a 6 to 1 market share for Nintendo versus Sony.
Nintendo has sold about 2.76m Wii consoles in Japan since the launch last December, while Sony has sold 970,270 PS3s since it debuted last November
Which do you prefer and why?
Source: BBC News
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Irikon Flash Drive Uses Iris Recognition
Do you need your flash drives to be secure and are you tired of remembering 10’s of passwords. Then Irikon’s flash memory might be for you. It is the world’s first flash memory that utilizes iris authentication.
The iris authentication process ensures that no one other that the pre-registered user can access the data on the flash memory. Just simply look into the iris camera on the flash memory to activate.
Key Features:
Luxurious design and excellent portability
Fast and accurate operation by iris authentication
User registration for up to 20 Iris templates (256-bit iris template encryption)
Easy to use: Plug and Play via USB port
Available flash memory capacity: 1GB / 2GB / 4GB
Power recharged via USB port
Specs:
Recognition Time 2 sec. or less
Max Registration data 20 irises
Eye image capturing range 6Cm
USB interface USB v 1.1 and above
Input power Rechargeable battery & USB power
Operating temperature -5 ~ 40'C
Operating humidity 20 ~ 95%
False Reject Rate(FRR) 0.1% (1/1000)
False Acceptance Rate(FAR) 0.000083% (1/12000)
Source: Rehobothtech via Gizmodo
Cell Phone Projectors Whatever Next
OK, so originally we had cell phones to make phone calls, then they added cameras, then they added music (aka the iPhone and Sony Walkman to name just two). Well now those clever people in Korea have decided that we also need a video projector with our cell phones.
SK Telecom will be selling phones equipped with a ‘Nano Projector’. The ‘Nano Projector’ can throw a 20 inch image onto a screen or wall and still fit inside existing cell phones. The first editions of these video projector phones should be out in September. No date on when or if we will see them here in the States.
Source: Digital World Tokyo
