Archive for November 2nd, 2009

I’m not a big fan of car phones.  It’s 2009 – everyone has their own cell phone by now, I’d assume.

But BMW disagrees.  Today, a filing by Harman Becker (which manufacturers BMW’s AV equipment) shows a new “Telephone in the Rear” feature, which will probably make its way to BMW’s 7 series cars.

According to the user manual, Telephone in the Rear will fit into the backseat armrest.  The device has a SIM card receptacle, which allows you to use your own SIM card with the system.  You speak into a wireless phone, which also fits into the armrest.

I suppose this could be used in BMWs that are used as limos or company cars, but really, if you have your own SIM card you probably have your own phone as well.

FHX, a Chinese PC manufacturer, passed the shiny white netbook, pictured above, through the FCC today.  The device has 3 model number listed on FHX’s Test Report:  XX-21BG, WS-21BG, and LA-21BG.

This netbook offers your average suite of features like an Intel Atom processor, Bluetooth, WiFi, etc.  The most striking feature of this device, however, is it’s resemblance to the MacBook plastic.  It’s not a bad look to have I suppose, especially if you want Apple-like design for a netbook price.

There are many cases of babies being switched at birth, so many that the topic actually has its own Wikipedia entry.  It’s not hard to imagine – babies often look similar to others, and in a maternity ward there are a bunch of babies being passed around.

Visonic Technologies has a solution for the baby switch problem with the RFID-based Elpas Infant Protection Bracelet.  This tiny device is secured around the baby’s ankle, and enables hospital staff to track the baby as it is moved throughout the maternity ward.

I suppose if RFID is good enough for Walmart to track products, it’s good enough to track babies as well.