Posts Tagged ‘Biometrics’

Wallets are handy, but very insecure.  If you lose your wallet, anyone can open it up and take your credit cards, cash and IDs.

Enter iWallet Corporation.  The company’s flagship iWallet device has a fiberglass, carbon fiber or kevlar exterior that is locked with a biometric fingerprint sensor.  In order to open the iWallet, users must register their finger prints with the iWallet PC application, and swipe their registered prints on the device.

The iWallet also pairs with Bluetooth mobile phones (currently only the BlackBerry Curve 8900 is supported), and will notify users when their wallet and phone are separated.  That’s a valuable feature if you tend to leave your wallet behind, but not so useful if you forget both your phone and your wallet.

The iWallet is currently available from iWallet corporation, starting at $299 for a fiber glass model.  A carbon fiber or carbon fiber with kevlar model will run you $599.  Engraving is also available for an additional $99.

Although the iWallet seems like an interesting idea, we really need to stress test the device before we endorse the product.  I’d like to see if the iWallet can take a good solid hammer shot to its hinge, which would be necessary to truly protect its contents.

Also, the iWallet’s battery lasts for only 24-48 hours, meaning you’ll need to remember to recharge the device pretty frequently.  You don’t want to have to explain to others how you let your battery die and got locked out of your iWallet.