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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)."

13 of 321 comments (clear)

  1. I do that anyway.. :) by minus23 · · Score: 5, Funny

    "You will serve me a Big Mac Meal with a Coke!" (While waving your hand like a Jedi Knight using the Jedi Mind trick)."
    How is this different than what I do already?

    --
    I am Jack's HTTP Server
  2. 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!

  3. how embaressing by spookysuicide · · Score: 5, Funny

    when your watch gets "declined" at the line at mcdonalds. sad, staring at those fries, quietly asking the 15 year old in the yelow visor if you can just wave it one more time.

    --
    yes i run a goth/punk/emo porn site.
  4. 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

  5. So? by CaptainZapp · · Score: 4, Informative
    Maybe I'm a tad dim tody, but what else is new? Swatch released the Swatch Access about 5 years ago.

    It is a little larger then a normal Swatch and you can load it at umpteen or so ski resorts, where it can be used instead of a normal ski pass.

    --
    ich bin der musikant

    mit taschenrechner in der hand

    kraftwerk

  6. *wave* by ZaneMcAuley · · Score: 4, Funny

    "These are not the fries you are looking for"

    --
    ----- Whats wrong with this picture? http://www.revoh.org:1234/whatswrong
  7. If this is stolen.... by kwishot · · Score: 4, Insightful

    If one of these things ever gets stolen, there is literally no way to trace where it is.
    No signatures... nothing.
    With a credit card there are a few more layers of security.

    First, it needs to be swiped (can't be read from a distance...which can be potentially bad)
    Second, you need to sign for it
    Third, many credit cards have the option of a picture...

    Pretty scary.

    -kwishot

    1. 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.
    2. Re:If this is stolen.... by Darkstar9969 · · Score: 5, Informative

      I am a Speedpass user in the Chicago area.

      Firstly, the Speedpass needs to be pretty close to the speedpass readers to get your "secret speedpass code". (within a foot or so)

      Secondly, McDonalds and Walgreens don't turn their readers on until you tell them you are using Speedpass. You can't just walk past one and have it ring up someone's happy meal.
      (The readers are also in Mobil gas stations but are too high up on the pump to be read accidentally)

      As to the stolen point kwishot makes, yes it would suck if my speedpass got stolen, but it's attached to my car keys. If it got stolen I'd notice. They'd have to take half of my keychain to get it. I agree it IS a bit less secure than a credit card but somebody could smash my car window and get my Ipass and cruise the tollway free and clear until I noticed the gaping hole in my windshield...

      modmemodmemodmemodme-thankyoupleasedrivethrough

      --
      MMMmmmmmm....erotic cakes!!! Homer J. Simpson - Treehouse of Horror VI
  8. 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.

  9. The new wave of Drive Thru by Elflord1999 · · Score: 4, Funny

    'This is not the Happy Meal I ordered'
    'This is not the Happy Meal you ordered!'
    'You will make me a Cheeseburger Happy Meal'
    'We will make you a Cheeseburger Happy Meal!'
    'You will not forget the toy'
    'We will not forget the toy!'

    The Jedi Mind Trick surely could work wonders at McDonalds...unfortunately, at Wendy's they employ mainly Hutts.

  10. They don't have batteries... by weave · · Score: 4, Informative
    I have had a Speedpass for a few years now, before Exxon bought Mobil and it was just in the rare Mobil station. They are great and can also be used to buy crap inside the store. No "minimum charge" hassles either.

    They do not have batteries. I'm not exactly sure HOW they work but I haven't seen anyone else explain it either and, you know, this is the net. The answer can't be that difficult.

    A web google search didn't turn up much besides this. The Mobil Speedpass is based on Texas Instruments' Registration and Identification System (TIRIS), the first radio-frequency identification (RFID) device used for retail transactions. The system is similar to a remote control but different in that RFIDs transmit a user-specific signal, almost like a wireless PIN number.

    But a usenet search turned up a lot, like this post. Ok, a typical device of this type is quite simple in concept. The coil with rod, acts to recieve 100Khz or so RF, which is then rectified to charge a capacitor, to power the rest. There is a small chip in there, which talks to the reader, usually by shorting out the coil for short periods of time, this causes the RF field to change, which can be read by the reader. Another way is for the chip to connect a diode to the coil, this causes the transmitter/reciever to generate a harmonic, at 2* the frequency of the exciting field, this can also be picked up.

  11. mmm, speedpass by 0x20 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Great! Now I'll be able to buy speed faster than ever! I may not even have to stop the car - just lower the window and my man can toss it in as I roll by.

    I can't wait until weedpass comes out next year!