If you’re wondering just where the kids have got to, in future all you’ll need to do is check on the computer. Then you’ll know to within four square meters exactly where they are. It’s all in the jacket, a new idea by the British company Blade Runner. It’s equipped with GPS technology (for an extra $150 you can alsoget the jacket with a Kevlar lining) made by Asset Monitoring Solutions (AMS), powered by a small rechargeable battery that lets you keep very closetrack of the wearer. It’s functional and fashionable, with a built-in holder for the kid’s iPod, and you can track the wearer anywhere in the world, just in case your child decideson an impromptu international trip. At around $500 ($700 for the adult version), plus $20 a month for the satellite tracking charge, it’s definitely not cheap, but where peace of mind is at apremium, it can be worth the money. And if you’re not at home you can arrange for tracking updates to be sent to a mobile or Blackberry. But there’s more to persuade parents thatthis is a good idea. You can set geographical parameters of where your child can go and be warned if they stray outside that. Or, if your kid is under curfew for an offense, arrange for an alarm togo off at a specific time. It’s a mix between Big Brother and Big Daddy. Martin Taylor, the sales director of AMS, told the Guardian, "Kids want their independence," he says, "and parents might be more willing to allow them to go out more on their own if they could check up on where they were from time to time andknow they would be immediately informed if there was any trouble."
Tag Archive: Martin Taylor
Do You Know Where Yours Kids Are? Yes.
Microsoft Talks Up Windows Live Messenger
Scarcely a month after rolling out a beta release, Microsoft has officially launched Windows Live Messenger, and aims to loot some interest from consumers by rolling in an exclusive game based on the Disney Pirates of the Caribbean film series. Windows Live Messenger: Arr, matey!
Windows Live Messenger (ahem) aims to go a few steps beyond what we’ve all come to think of as instant messaging by rolling in free PC-to-PC calling and inexpensive PC-to-phone calling around the world (a laSkype), as well as provide users easy ways to share photos, files, video, and more. Microsoft Live Messenger is also designed to operate seamlessly with cordless phones developed by companies like Uniden, Philips, and Motorola
Stalk Celebrities with Windows Live Local
In a somewhat surprising move to promote its Windows Live Local mapping service, software giant Microsoft has unveiled CelebFavorites, a new Web site based on Microsoft’s Windows Live Local mapping service which pinpoints the favorite spots and hangouts of eight celebrities and entertainers. Unlike other celeb-spotting sites (like the controversial Gawker Stalker Map), celebrities are willingly participating in CelebFavorites: instead of ordinary people submitting their celebrity sightings, the stars are highlighting spots and points of interest they love about their home towns.
CelebFavorites’ lineup currently includes:
- Jeff Bridges
