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Oreo-Sized PocketFinder Converts You in Orwellian Overlord
Posted by Jesus Diaz at 6:30 AM on November 30, 2007
The PocketFinder is a GPS with the size and shape of an Oreo cookie. Sadly it doesn't come with a sweet white filling, but it will log the position of outdoor explorers, kids, dogs, cats, ill people and Gizmodo writers at all times using a mobile phone connection. There are other similar devices in the market but what makes the PocketFinder really cool is its Web-based software.
Once you activate the PocketFinder it will start sending its location over the mobile phone network. As you can see in the gallery, authorised people can access this information using a Web-based application.
The Web software gives you a snapshot on where all your registered PocketFinders are using Microsoft Visual Earth, but it also allows you to know travelling speed, heading, current and total trip distance of any of your registered devices. It also lets you create zones for specific users and will notify you if the user enters or exists any of those zones according to your preferences.
According to the company, PocketFinder is completely sealed and it can also be bought in other form factors, like belt buckles or keychains. The Oreo-based model, however, has a $US129.95 price tag. [PocketFinder]
Comments (AU Comments · US Comments)
There are currently no AU comments for this post.
eosjack
Posted 3:52 PM 29/11/07
According to this online retailer:
[www.lovebeep.com]
There is a $12.95 monthly (or less if you pay in quarterly, semiannually, or annually) fee.
That's not as expensive as I would have thought. I wonder if there is a limit on how many times you can track it in a month.
eosjack
Aleung
Posted 3:51 PM 29/11/07
Location info is stored in the company's server. Any one can hack the server to view your current location.
Aleung
outlanderssc
Posted 3:45 PM 29/11/07
@lafond66: The website says ten days
outlanderssc
Denver80203
Posted 3:44 PM 29/11/07
"Works for over 10 days without needing a charge. Alert Notification for Battery Status"
[pocketfinder.com]
Denver80203
lafond66
Posted 3:11 PM 29/11/07
Looks pretty cool. How long will it's battery life be though?
lafond66
Improbable
Posted 3:10 PM 29/11/07
I can't seem to get the site to work properly, but it has a section for "billing," so I imagine there's also a monthly fee associated with the service.
Improbable
GizFanAlpha
Posted 2:49 PM 29/11/07
I like the oreo design much better.
GizFanAlpha
Brock
Posted 2:47 PM 29/11/07
I expect that prisoner parole programs will be picking up these things by the barrel. Combine it with a flesh-embedded RFID tag (so you know the Oreo is being toted around by the ex-con, and not some schlub he's paid to take it) and you've got a pretty fool-proof method for proving that someone is staying in the State/ away from elementary schools/ away from is ex-wife's new husband's house/ etc.
Brock
DustyButt
Posted 2:47 PM 29/11/07
How much did I pay for the LoJack system in my car, again????
DustyButt
johnnyabnormal
Posted 2:41 PM 29/11/07
I've always wanted to have a tracking device put into my computer gear so if some fool steals it I can beat down their door to get my data back.
johnnyabnormal
Brock
Posted 5:12 PM 29/11/07
$12.95/mo. seems pretty pricey to me, considering all its doing is uploading a small data packet every now and then.
Also, dollars will get you donuts that some bored Java developer will release some open-source app that recreates 100% of this functionality on any Android-based phone that has GPS. It can't be that hard to save data to a log file every five minutes and upload it via bluetooth or EDGE/CDMA once a day to a server somewhere.
Brock
BurkePrefect
Posted 4:14 PM 29/11/07
If they made something I could stick in my computer, that could charge itself from the supply, for that price. Or hell, a laptop or cellphone :D
BurkePrefect
ideaman2020
Posted 5:51 PM 29/11/07
"Pocketfinder has made my sixteen year old son a safe driver. When he got his license, he also got a Pocketfinder unit that went in his glove compartment. Since he knows that we can check to see if he is speeding anytime we want, he knows that reckless driving isn't an option."
It can tell if you're speeding?
Is there nothing this wonder-device can't do??
Seriously, I'm sort of intrigued and repulsed at the same time...
ideaman2020
ideaman2020
Posted 7:05 PM 29/11/07
@banmojo: I understand the impulse. I really do. [Yes, I was driving at the wonderful and carefree age of 16, too.]
But doesn't using a device like this send the kids the message that you don't trust them? [Honestly, I'm wondering..]
[Like I said, both intrigued and repulsed.]
ideaman2020
banmojo
Posted 6:45 PM 29/11/07
@ideaman2020: as someone who once drove at the tender, inexperienced, and frankly stupid age of 16, I will totally be requiring my (God willing future) kids to have this sort of device installed in their cars.
banmojo
KermityFrog
Posted 10:42 PM 29/11/07
Ooo.. these would be really cool if they had a Spidey logo on them!
KermityFrog
vitamincm
Posted 8:06 AM 30/11/07
This should be a good way for Psychos to track their suspected cheating partners.
Now, I'm about to go to work on a device that detects and neutralizes these devices.
I'll call it the Cheating Shield.
vitamincm
RedSuzaku
Posted 2:11 PM 30/11/07
Reminds me of spy movies. Slip the tracking device into the bad guy's coat pocket(or car) to find out where he is going.
RedSuzaku