Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

The Timex Speedpass Watch

Posted by chrisd on from the i-prefer-speed-cash dept.

RedWolves2 writes "Timex Corporation is developing a watch which incorporates Speedpass technology embedded into it. McDonalds has also partnered with Speedpass with 400 stores in the Chicago area that accept speedpass. Now you can order a value meal like this "You will serve me a Big Mac Meal with a Coke!" (While waving your hand like a Jedi Knight using the Jedi Mind trick)."

4 of 321 comments (clear)

  1. Free gas!! by itsnotme · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Heh, user puts on speedpass watch and forgets he/she's wearing it and at a visit to a speedpass supported gas station, walks a wee bit too close to the pumps...

    FREE GASOLINE! just not for YOU!

    Cant imagine the MULTIPLE ways this watch could get abused.. it hooks up to your creditcard so hell, I'd rather have my speedpass on a seperate thing to make SURE nothing gets charged to it by accident!

  2. Cool except... by kwishot · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Wouldn't these things be pretty prone to EMI?
    Also.... I'm not sure if this is an issue, but what if it runs out of batteries?
    Or... even better yet... what if someone makes a "speedpass scanner" and walks around a mall for an afternoon, leeching from everyone closeby.

    Seems pretty exploitable...anyone have experience with these? I would imagine that having these more widespread would open them up to more problems.

    -kwishot

  3. This system has existed for 15 years in Norway by nordicfrost · · Score: 4, Interesting
    Yup, 15 years. We have used the "Køfri" (English: No Line) system for paying road toll. The difference lies in the size of the transponder, since the Køfri system is designed to be placed on the front view window of your car. As mentioned earlier, the SkiPass system from SkiData (Switzerland) have also used this system. Now, almost all sking hills use cards with inductive radio systems. The Køfri system was developed in the University of Trondheim.


    Actually, that system was very advanced for its time. If you passed the toll station on the Køfri area without a chip in your window, two cameras digitally photograhped your license plate in normal and infrared light. Pictures were stored on MO media for evidence, and the system could react on cars passing as fast as 490 km/h.

  4. Re:If this is stolen.... by Lumpy · · Score: 4, Interesting

    and the Dallas Semiconductor iButton solves all these troubles. holding 64K of internal storage plus a unique serial number can hold your photo and signature, and whatever other info you want. Plus it's more durable than the speedpass, cannot be read without direct contact and you can get them on fossil watches or any other watch on the planet with the watch-band holder. (I prefer my ring)

    The coolest part of the iButton is that the reader costs $15.00 at the most expensive and $1.00 in bulk for OEM's. a speedpass reader is more expensive than a smartcard reader.

    if Dallas Semiconductors would just push the iButton as hard as their competition pushes the junk products like the speedpass it would take off fast.

    --
    Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.