It’s not the first method we’ve seen for blinding security cameras, but this new DIY / art project from the folks at Oberwelt e.V. looks to be one of the simplest, and one of the few that could conceivably be used on an everyday basis. Dubbed the I-R.A.S.C. (for “infra-redlight against surveillance camera”), the device apparently consists simply of a series of infrared lights connected to a battery, which combine to blot out your face with a slightly unnerving glow. Needless to say, while it appears to hide your identity quite effectively, it doesn’t exactly scream subtlety, so you’d best think of some excuses to explain yourself if you actually plan on trying this thing out in public.

[Via Coolest Gadgets]
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There’s no shortage of “world’s smallest camcorders,” but Spy Gadget’s Micro Camcorder is definitely one of the most diminutive that we’ve seen. Designed to actually slip inside an empty pack of gum, this device features a “one touch record button,” captures video at a less-than-stellar 15fps, holds footage on a microSD card, and can be recharged via USB. Reportedly, users can capture up to 33-hours of low-res video on a 1GB card, and two hours of that can be captured on a single charge. ‘Course, whether or not this all is worth the stiff $295 asking price is certainly debatable.

[Via The Raw Feed]
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Face detection on your average digicam may not seem that special, but strapping the feature atop your steering column can certainly make for a more enjoyable (and safer) driving experience. Lexus‘ new LS600hL sports a Driver Monitoring System, which places a detection device in front of the driver’s seat that keeps a close eye on the orientation of the his / her face, and if it sees that you’re peering off at the continually changing MINI billboard or checking out the overhead wind energy producer, it kicks into action. The system will send audible and visual alerts at first in an attempt to get your attention back, and can eventually “apply the brakes on its own” if the previous warnings prove futile. Moreover, it can reportedly “reprogram the steering ratio and amplify the intensity and quickness of the steering response” to keep motorists safe, but there’s no word on whether or not a retinal scanner add-on will be available to automatically adjust user preferences depending on which driver hops in the seat.

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For $1082, you could own a real shocking suitcase — 80,000 volts to be exact. The electric shock alarm is activated at the push of a button via remote control. A built-in secondary 107db alarm keeps would be thieves away. Available in brown or black colors, this suitcase comes packaged with 16 batteries and two remotes.

“Nobody will be able to grab or take the suitcase. So your valuables are safe.”

[Source]
from techeblog

This shows why everyone should use stronger Windows passwords for security reasons. You know what they say: “It’s better to be safe than sorry.” Click Video link for more info. Short disclaimer from the video’s creator:

Why should you use strong passwords? This video shows how to crack windows passwords. It is only intended for educational purposes, to show you why it is important to use stronger passwords. Don’t use this information illegally

Video here
From techeblog

Our mother always used to tell us, “you’d lose your head if wasn’t screwed on,” but we’re sure that had she grown up in this decade she’d say, “you’d lose a USB key carrying sensitive data if Microsoft didn’t patent a technology to counteract the problem.” Or something like that. As you might’ve guessed, Microsoft has a new patent, and this one is to help that hapless soul charged with setting up a wireless home network, who, Microsoft admits, “faces a daunting task” at such a prospect. See, Windows can load network set-up details onto a CD or other form of removable storage, but if the user loses the item, they also compromise their network security. We figured this could be solved by some sort of “don’t be an airhead” message on the box, but Microsoft put its brain to the task and came up with self-destructing USB memory keys, with enough juice in them to power the key for one hour, after which the data disappears fuhevah. The keys are brightly colored so the user doesn’t slap anything important on them, but it seems like an interesting solution to a completely ridiculous interesting problem.

[Via New Scientist]
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For just $259, you could own the “World’s Smallest Color Wireless Camera” — measuring just 1″ x 1″, it can be concealed just about anywhere. It’s powered by a single 9V battery and runs for approx. 10 hours — transmitting all video to TV channel 59.

I’m sure the FBI the NSA or even MI6 have even smaller versions. However this is most likely the smallest color wireless camera readily available to consumers

[Source]
from techeblog

[Via eHomeUpgrade]
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from engadget ]]> http://www.orgismo.com/2006/11/09/check-point-intros-zonealarm-z100g-wireless-router/feed/ 0 http://www.orgismo.com/2006/10/18/fujitsu-ten-unveils-drec1000-in-car-accident-recorder/ http://www.orgismo.com/2006/10/18/fujitsu-ten-unveils-drec1000-in-car-accident-recorder/#comments Wed, 18 Oct 2006 09:43:34 +0000 admin http://www.orgismo.com/?p=1959

If you’ve got a svelte new in-dash LCD with reverse assist, or even the VideoMirror aiding your less-than-admirable backing skills, neither of those will do you much good if your precious bumper gets marred by someone else. Assisting lawyers and victims alike in making accident cases an exercise in simplicity, Fujitsu Ten (more commonly referred to as Eclipse) is unveiling the DREC1000 Consumer Drive Recorder. Similar in function to TruScene’s TS-1L, this in-car sentry keeps a keen eye on your vehicle’s surroundings, and if sudden braking / acceleration is detected, a 20 second video clip (complete with the bevy of expletives you’re likely to spew) is recorded onto a 128MB CF card for YouTube insurance purposes. The sensor box also reacts to jolts and sudden changes in driving patterns, activating the wide-angle CCD camera to capture the moments before and after a presumed incident; clips can be manually captured as well, and the device can hold up to 15 segments before the CF card reaches capacity or your vehicle is completely demolished. While Â¥59,850 ($501) may seem a tad steep for continuous monitoring of your Volkswagen minivan, the gifted few sporting a Rolls Royce or Tesla Roadster may see things a bit differently.

[Via Far East Gizmos]
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File this under: “Useful USB Accessories” In addition to being a “cute” furry creature, this accessory is also a fully-functional 1.3-megapixel webcam. Best of all, the Puppy Dog Webcam is priced at just $29.

The aptly-named Puppy Dog Webcam ditches the typical monitor mounted approach and provides a more playful alternative to broadcasting yourself. Nevertheless, we assume the canine can pull double duty as a child’s toy, and while the dangling USB cable may become a minor hazard, it’s unlikely to be as dangerous as the exploding Helly Kitty

[via engadget]
from techeblog ]]> http://www.orgismo.com/2006/10/06/puppy-dog-webcam/feed/ 0 http://www.orgismo.com/2006/09/25/ibm-rfid-clipped-tag/ http://www.orgismo.com/2006/09/25/ibm-rfid-clipped-tag/#comments Mon, 25 Sep 2006 15:00:26 +0000 admin http://www.orgismo.com/?p=1853

IBM’s innvovative new RFID “Clipped Tag” allows “consumers to tear off the antenna of an RFID tag, thereby significantly reducing the tag’s read range to just a few inches.”

The clipped tag gives consumers the ability to simply “opt out” and protect their privacy. The chip, however, retains full functionality otherwise. This enhances consumer privacy while maintaining the benefits of the technology, such as product authentication or recalls

[via FreshCreation]
from techeblog

From Ubergizmo
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Here at Engadget, we love to bring you news about one of our favorite low-tech gadgets — the key. No, not key as in keyboard, but rather as in, “Dude, where’s my (bump) keys?” or more accurately, “Holy crap, I just dropped my keys into the ocean.” Fear not, because for the low price of $7 you can now buy a new keychain fob that promises to save your keychain from maritime disaster. When your keys hit the water, the Davis Key Buoy will open up and inflate a 14-inch long bright orange cylinder for easy spotting within 30 seconds and will hold them there for up to 40 minutes. Of course, if you carry a warden-sized set of keys with you then this won’t work, as it only supports up to 4.2 oz (120 g) of weight. Now if some company could team up with Davis to make an inexpensive waterproof 2GB flash drive that would inflate to the surface in the event of a water landing, then they’d have a product we’d surely buy.

[Via OhGizmo]
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