Microsoft Research Showcase Explored

prostoalex writes "Every year Microsoft Research scientists show their achievements and developments at Redmond campus. Seattle Post-Intelligencer reports from Techfest, a number of other news resources and blogs are covering it. Read about network-enabled bear that allows parents to communicate with the kids, a mobile phone applications that not only checks, but predicts traffic conditions, and surface computing for digital homes." From the article: "The project isn't fully developed, but the ultimate vision is to have the stuffed animal interact with a child, doing such things as playing games and reading stories. Because the bear is on a network, a parent could also use it to interact with a child remotely -- communicating or even taking snapshots through an embedded camera."

Comments

Proposed product name

[TimmyDee]

Creepy Ruxpin.

Re:Why would I trust a Microsoft fridge?

[bergwitz]

No, you should probably go for the Fridgefox instead! No more spyfood and annoying pop-up vegetables.

In the not-too-distant future

[93 Escort Wagon]

"Because the bear is on a network, a parent could also use it to interact with a child remotely -- communicating or even taking snapshots through an embedded camera."

June 18, 2007
Threat Advisory from McAfee AVERT

Virus/Worm Identifier: W32/Bear.A

Threat Level: Critical

Threat Pathology
After being infected, MS-Snoogums(TM) performs one of the following four tasks, chosen apparently at random.

1) MS-Snoogums will attempt to strangle the nearest child.
2) MS-Snoogums will begin swearing and berating any child in the room.
3) If the child is identifiably female (using simple pattern-matching algorithms against three jpegs embedded in the code), MS-Snoogums will make choose lewd comments from a catalog of 47 built into its codebase.
4) MS-Snoogums will attempt to persuade the child to transport him to the nearest Wells Fargo branch. If successful, MS-Snoogums will use built-in IrDA port to hack Diebold Windows XP Embedded cash machines. Records are altered to show withdrawal from account of one "I. P. Nightly".

System Protection and Cure
McAfee AVERT is currently tracking the vendor response. Vendor recommends all children be provided with MS-My-First-Shotgun immediately as a protective measure.