One Time Password DisplayCard heightens transaction security

One Time Password DisplayCard heightens transaction security: "Filed under: Displays, Misc. Gadgets
While we were a bit skeptical when Chase sent us one of their questionably-secure RFID-equipped 'Blink' cards last year, we're gonna be all over a new technology from several companies that actually gives credit cards a heigtened level of security by generating a one-time passcode for each transaction, viewable on an embedded e-ink display. The OTP DisplayCard, as it's being called, was developed by InCard Technologies in conjunction with security firm nCryptone using technology from SiPix Imaging and SmartDisplayer, and is being targeted at financial institutions or at other companies as a replacement for the password-generating key fobs used to enable VPN access to their intranets. While the added security feature would come into play for both online and in-person transactions, it will probably be most useful for Internet purchases, making your credit card info almost worthless to identity thieves who can't get their hands on the card itself. Oh, and to answer the inevitable question: no, these cards w"

T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless not supplying data to NSA

T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless not supplying data to NSA: "Filed under: Cingular, Sprint-Nextel, T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless
If you make most of your calls via cellphone, there's a good chance your call records aren't being provided to the National Security Agency -- if, that is, you're using Verizon Wireless or T-Mobile and most of your calls are between you and other cellphone users. Both companies say they haven't supplied data to the government, with T-Mob specifically stating that it was not involved 'in any NSA program for warrant-less surveillance and acquisition of call records, and T-Mobile has not provided any such access to communications or customer records.' If you're a Cingular or Sprint Nextel customer, well, it looks like you're in the same boat as the vast majority of landline users: those companies refused to deny participation in the NSA program.

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Napster Sort Of Kind Of But Not Really Free Again

Napster Sort Of Kind Of But Not Really Free Again: "

Napster announced yet another iteration today, allowing users to stream over two million tracks on their ad-supported website and to share links to artists, albums and even specific songs through email or on other websites. Sounds good, but in practice it's not so wonderful.

Catch #1: you can only play each track a maximum of five times before you have to buy it for $0.99. You can pay Napster $9.95 a month to listen to unlimited music both offline and off, except that you can't listen to the music you download after you stop paying, or join Napster To Go for $14.95, which lets you transfer your music to compatible mp3 players. How does this suck?

Letting you play a track all the way through (albeit not in the greatest sound quality) five times + the 99 cent price is a nice touch as it makes you more likely to get addicted to a song they have on offer than the short clips the iTunes store provides.

Google Accuses Microsoft on IE7 Search

Google Accuses Microsoft on IE7 Search: "Google has made informal complaints to competition authorities in Europe and the US about default settings in Microsoft's IE7. The latest Microsoft browser includes a small window so users can search without opening up a specific page. The default setting sends users to MSN for searches - just as equivalent features in Opera and Firefox send browsers to Google. A spokesman for the search giant told the New York Times it was concerned Microsoft was limiting choice. My take: ..."

Google Accuses Microsoft on IE7 Search

Google Accuses Microsoft on IE7 Search: "Google has made informal complaints to competition authorities in Europe and the US about default settings in Microsoft's IE7. The latest Microsoft browser includes a small window so users can search without opening up a specific page. The default setting sends users to MSN for searches - just as equivalent features in Opera and Firefox send browsers to Google. A spokesman for the search giant told the New York Times it was concerned Microsoft was limiting choice. My take: ..."

RIM Hit by More Corporate Extortionists

RIM Hit by More Corporate Extortionists: Just weeks after Research in Motion settled a long-running patent lawsuit with NTP, the company is facing yet another patent infringement claim. This time the lawsuit was filed in Texas by Visto, a California mobile communications company founded in 1996, and it accuses RIM of violating four separate Visto patents that relate to mobile e-mail.

RIM's patent for automatic call volume adjustment

RIM's patent for automatic call volume adjustment: "Filed under: Handsets, RIM

It's not exactly the sexiest patent application we've seen, and its October 4th 2004 filing date doesn't sound very promising, but RIM has recently has had a patent published by the USPTO in reference to an automatic call volume adjustment feature. Groundbreaking, we know, but the tech is supposed to -- you guessed it -- adjust call volume automatically based on the level of noise in your environment. As simple as it sounds, we sure wouldn't mind this functionality in a handset, Blackberry or not, but we can't imagine this feature headlining any marketing material, so we'll be lucky to know when we do have it. Other than the fact, of course, that we might actually be able to hear who we're talking to.

Sun CEO Scott McNealy steps down

Sun CEO Scott McNealy steps down: "Filed under: News
Sun Microsystems CEO and founder Scott McNealy is stepping down after 22 years of leading the company. McNealy will be assuming the role of chairman and 'chief evangelist,' while Sun president and COO Jonathan Schwartz will be taking over as CEO. McNealy says he's been working to get Schwartz into the driver's seat for a decade, but that he didn't want to hand over the company during t fast-moving dot-com boom nor before the company was stabilized after the bust. Sun's stocks saw an 8.6% increase in after-hours trading following the announcement.

Sidekick III shows up on the FCC

Sidekick III shows up on the FCC: "Filed under: Handsets, Sharp, T-Mobile, Danger, GSM

As soon as a Sharp-made handset shows up on the FCC with a whole bunch of confidentiality-request paperwork affixed, you know it's gonna be good. Sidekick fans, feast your eyes on the real deal up in the grill (yep, all those pics were legit), and the um, naked, battery-less tail end of the Sidekick III (model PV200). Can't be long now, can it?"

Company Wants iPod Sales Halted, iTunes Shut Down

Company Wants iPod Sales Halted, iTunes Shut Down: "Burst.com, the same company that sued Microsoft in 2002 and to which Redmond paid a $60 million license fee in 2005, claims Apple infringes upon several of its patents relating to music and video downloading. As such, it recently demanded that the U.S. District Court in San Francisco shut down a range of Apple services, including iTunes, Quicktime streaming and sales of the company's flagship product, the iPod. Of course, Apple responded with what amounts to 'make me,' filing a counter-suit demanding the rescinding of Burst's patents in question. First it's France demanding Apple open its iPod and now Burst demanding back royalties. Maybe Apple should hire a better image consultant.
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