Posted by
Hemos
on from the cram-it-into-small-places dept.
prplhaze writes "Casio has done it again. Not only do they have a wristwatch that plays MP3's, they also have a watch that has an intergrated camera. It retails for around $200USD. It features a 120x120 dot monochrome display, and can store about 100 black and white images. "
If you want to get those 120x120 pics out of the watch you gots to have a Windoze boxen.
"Data Communication Specifications: Infrared Protocol: Casio original"
And to top it off it's not standard IR hardware either, they supply (read: you buy) a serial cable that has an IR port on the other end.
"Use only the separately available infrared adapter for the infrared data communication with a computer.
Data communication with an infrared port built into a computer is not supported." "Computer System Requirements
The following are the computer systems requirements for running the PC Link Software.
Computer: IBM PC/AT compatible
Operating System: Windows 95/87, Windows NT 4.0 (Mac OS not supported)
Port: 9-pin communication port only
Keyboard
Display: Resolution 800 x 600, 16-bit color or greater (recommended)
CD-ROM drive
Mouse or other equivalent pointing device"
I like how they require a mouse...
My review: Nothing more than a $200 conversation starter, and a cool toy.
I wonder how this will affect standardized tests (SATs), or even regular school tests. Cheating is already prevalent in high school (at least my school) but it's risky. Now that students will be able to sit down with their test and take snapshots of the questions and then pass them off to their friends will surely be a cause for action. Will schools now ban watches on test days?
Hm... Now let's try to think of a single device that does all of these things... Yeah, I think I'd rather have one of those. It's easier to press the buttons at the very least.
Casio: The Unexpected^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^Hwanted Extra.
Serious security concerns
by
MousePotato
·
· Score: 4
Geez. A wristwatch camera. I'm almost speechless. I would be if pinhole cameras hadn't already been made in watchsize versions in the 60's with real film for espionage and fun. I saw a how to article on this in a do it yourself mag when I was a kid.This camera poses some real security issues though:1. Casinos will be lloking for thier clients wearing them as photos in gaming establishments are taboo. I could foresee teaming this up with a HUD of some sorts and this would lead to a real problem of people cheating in games like poker (standard player/helper scenario but now no signals to be communicated to the player by the helper as the image of the cards is now in the players HUD). 2. Court rooms will also be a problem. Photos of jurors make them awfully easy to identify and then tamper/extort. 3. Cabaret clubs will also have thier security looking out for these devices (taking a pic of that stripper is a no no as a cabaret is a private club NOT a public place). 4. The world of kidnappers and pedophiles is notorious for photographic surveys of thier targets. This will only make it much easier for them to do so. 5. Imagine going to a nightclub with your friends and they dance up on the podiums... viola... the next day your lady friends are all pictured on an up-skirt site. The list potentially goes on ad nauseum... I can't really see any redeeming quality for the development of a device like this as the uses for it will be for the most part subversive/intrusive. The potential for abuse here is very high. I don't want to take all the fun out of it as the technology is cool in and of itself but this type of thing will help all of us put big brother on our wrists in various flavors.
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If you want to get those 120x120 pics out of the watch you gots to have a Windoze boxen.
"Data Communication Specifications: Infrared Protocol: Casio original"
And to top it off it's not standard IR hardware either, they supply (read: you buy) a serial cable that has an IR port on the other end.
"Use only the separately available infrared adapter for the infrared data communication with a computer.
Data communication with an infrared port built into a computer is not supported."
"Computer System Requirements
The following are the computer systems requirements for running the PC Link Software.
Computer: IBM PC/AT compatible
Operating System: Windows 95/87, Windows NT 4.0 (Mac OS not supported)
Port: 9-pin communication port only
Keyboard
Display: Resolution 800 x 600, 16-bit color or greater (recommended)
CD-ROM drive
Mouse or other equivalent pointing device"
I like how they require a mouse...
My review: Nothing more than a $200 conversation starter, and a cool toy.
I wonder how this will affect standardized tests (SATs), or even regular school tests. Cheating is already prevalent in high school (at least my school) but it's risky. Now that students will be able to sit down with their test and take snapshots of the questions and then pass them off to their friends will surely be a cause for action. Will schools now ban watches on test days?
Personally, I don't want all this stuff on my wrist. Normal watches are too clunky for my tastes, as is...
...
Can't we make things that hang from belts or something? I dunno...
And what if you want the MS Outlook - linked watch, the mp3-watch, the camera-watch, the gps-watch (which is quite a beast), the TV/Cable-remote-watch, and the audio-recording-watch all at once? You'll look pretty damn silly, that's what! Oh, and you won't be able to lift your arms to *use* them
Geeze... It all seems pretty gimicky to me...
Hm... Now let's try to think of a single device that does all of these things... Yeah, I think I'd rather have one of those. It's easier to press the buttons at the very least.
Casio: The Unexpected^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^Hwanted Extra.
Geez. A wristwatch camera. I'm almost speechless. I would be if pinhole cameras hadn't already been made in watchsize versions in the 60's with real film for espionage and fun. I saw a how to article on this in a do it yourself mag when I was a kid.This camera poses some real security issues though:1. Casinos will be lloking for thier clients wearing them as photos in gaming establishments are taboo. I could foresee teaming this up with a HUD of some sorts and this would lead to a real problem of people cheating in games like poker (standard player/helper scenario but now no signals to be communicated to the player by the helper as the image of the cards is now in the players HUD).
2. Court rooms will also be a problem. Photos of jurors make them awfully easy to identify and then tamper/extort.
3. Cabaret clubs will also have thier security looking out for these devices (taking a pic of that stripper is a no no as a cabaret is a private club NOT a public place).
4. The world of kidnappers and pedophiles is notorious for photographic surveys of thier targets. This will only make it much easier for them to do so.
5. Imagine going to a nightclub with your friends and they dance up on the podiums... viola... the next day your lady friends are all pictured on an up-skirt site. The list potentially goes on ad nauseum... I can't really see any redeeming quality for the development of a device like this as the uses for it will be for the most part subversive/intrusive. The potential for abuse here is very high. I don't want to take all the fun out of it as the technology is cool in and of itself but this type of thing will help all of us put big brother on our wrists in various flavors.
Prospecting Stinks. Stop Wasting Time on Cold Calling.