Tech Blotter: Artsy Laptops and Airport Lie Detectors
Nov. 21, 2005 — -- "Pimped" out laptop computers, airport lie detectors and new technology to keep employees from looking at dirty pictures in this week's edition of the "Tech Blotter."
Sony invited some young celebrities to add their own artistic flair to a few of the electronic giant's VAIO FJ notebooks, wiht the proceeds going to a worthy cause.
Jessica Alba, Elijah Wood, Wilmer Valderrama, Mark Ruffalo and celebrity couple Nicole Richie and DJ AM -- AKA Adam Goldstein -- have added glue, paint, sparkles and imagination to the laptops, which will all be auctioned to benefit America's Second Harvest -- The Nation's Food Bank Network.
Second Harvest consists of more than 200 food banks that distribute food and grocery products to more than 50,000 charitable organizations across the country.
"During the holidays when people are enjoying the warmth of friends and family, the fact that there a more than 38 million Americans at risk of hunger becomes even more distressing," said Robert H. Forney, president and CEO of America's Second Harvest, in a press release on Sony's Web site. "This is creative way to raise awareness of this critical issue and help make a difference."
The computers will be on display in the Beverly Hills Sony Style store until Nov. 25, then it's on to the Houston store, New York and finally Las Vegas. After the laptops have made their way around the country, they'll be put up for auction from Jan. 9 to Jan. 23, 2006.
Could lie detectors be the next weapon used to stop terrorists and other criminals from infiltrating airport security? Israeli company Nemesysco thinks so and they've developed a "walk-through" version designed for airport security stations.
The makers of the "GK-1" voice analyzer aim to definitively shore up security at airports, border crossings, prisons and other locations where security is paramount.
GK-1 relies on an individual to answer three to five questions "yes" or "no." The response is recorded and analyzed automatically, and then the machine indicates whether or not the person presents a threat with either a "green" or "red" light. It takes only about 60 seconds to complete a full five-question test.
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