Now For Sale Nike+iPod Serial + USB Adapter = Tracker Device
02.28.07 - 01:25pm
You know that whole Nike+iPod security flaw which recently had bloggers everywhere sending out warnings of how easy it
would be for a stalker to track a runners movements through the device, perhaps making it much easier to do them harm, even if you change your route daily? Well they no longer have to create the device they can instead simply buy it from Spark Fun - their new USB Adapter.
The USB adapter will not only track the ID Nike+iPod you’re looking for, it will show you all the runners out running within range of your little tracking device. The website specifies, however that this is not what it is designed for, except of course to “allow easy creation of proximity based projects and running/workout research.” Since, naturally you need to know others workouts to make your own better - of course - rather than ask Candice how she stays so thin I will secretly monitor her workouts. Spark Fun also says they want it to be used for cat ID’s saying “We really want to attach these to our cats and make an ID controlled cat-door-lock system. ‘Are you Carlos? No? You can’t come in.”
Now stay with me for a sec, there could possibly be some good applications here - after all if you have say a four-year old child playing out in your back yard, it would be nice to put a Nike+iPod on them, connect it to the just released Spark Fun USB Adapter - and be able to know they are still in the yard playing, while you’re getting the dishes done. This way should someone snatch them or should they wander across the street out of range - your iPod would sound an alarm and you could hopefully rush out and save them. You could also use it to monitor your Grandpa who has Alzheimers or as the now famous “cat-door-lock system”.
The thing is, although the website says they “want to attach it to cat and make an ID controlled cat-door-lock system” they haven’t yet made the cat-door-lock system,and while it could monitor a child, without an alarm system of some sort set up, it’s only just as good as looking out your window. Perhaps it could even turn on your lights as it says in the tutorial, yet there is no system set up for that either - the only thing it is set up for at the moment is to monitor others.
Now, there are still a few things someone would really need to track a victim - that would be a few dozen of the devices as it only tracks within 40 to 60 feet. That said however, is really all that is needed. The USB adapter will then send the receiver information on every Nike+iPod that comes within range and display the raw data including foot pod IDs. As it says on the website “any receiver can hear any foot pod - they don’t have to be mated in any way.”
It’s just hard to get rid of the sick feeling that it just became as easy as about $500 for a serial killer, ex-boyfriend, or stalker to pick, monitor and hunt their next victim, not that there aren’t a thousand ways out there already set up for them, for example, as posted in The Guardian, it is extremely easy for someone to track your every step through your cell phone - all they need is five minutes with your gadget and they can monitor your every move as long as the cell phone is on you. This is accomplished through a simple web service that sends them GPS tracking info on your whereabouts completely unbeknownst to you. They you don’t even need to pay 24.95 a piece for dozens of gadgets, just a simple monthly $30 service fee! A little easier than buying and placing dozens of USB adapters.
Hopefully some of the good applications Spark Fun talks about will actually be put into application for the device and sold in that form. For the moment, all we can do is be careful, be glad we have the technology for the good uses. That plus learn and practice some really good self defense moves. Jackie Chan baby!
A final side note; the site does offer discounts for bulk buys: 10-99 is $22.46 each or (10% off), 100 or more is $19.96 each or (20% off). Now why would someone need a 100 of these things for their cat?
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