If this is the device
Census Bureau workers end up getting to use come 2010, we've gotta say, we're a little jealous. The aptly-named "Census" from HTC
crossed the FCC's wires several months ago, and a fresh visit reveals that pictures of the device and a user's manual are now available. Sticking with the Bureau's claim that their device would be strictly used for data collection, the Windows Mobile Pocket PC-powered Census dispenses with calling functionality, instead loading up with a variety of options for transmitting collected data back to home base: 1xRTT / EV-DO, WiFi, and a phone jack (oh, my!) are all on board. Though we're not certain, we're guessing the jack is an analog modem, ensuring that even the most rural Census visits -- places where even CDMA may not penetrate -- won't go unreported in short order. The device also includes a fingerprint reader, which gives us some sense of security (however false it may be) that the intimate details we share with those workers are safe. A screen shot in the user's manual reveals Sprint as a possible carrier, but if this is in fact the Census device we've all been hearing about, it's uncertain whether it'll ever be made available outside the feds' bureaucratic hands.
[Via
phoneArena]
posted Apr 3rd 2007 11:31AM
A phone jack in a phone. I can't even... Are you kidding me? We do this once every 10 years, the results aren't used for months, and a phone jack has to be built-in in case they can't drive to a cell network...?
And lastly, isn't HTC foreign? What happened to Motorola?
Well, what about for the places that don't have cell service? Have you ever looked at a map of West Virginia's cell coverage?
So what if HTC is foreign? Do you think they are trying to steal people's addresses?
Harris Corporation is the company contracted to provided these for the US Government, I guess HTC manufactured them.
http://www.govcomm.harris.com/solutions/marketindex/product.asp?source=alpha&product_id=458
I almost said I can't believe the government would pay for a custom device that lacks voice service for the purpose of of census data collection, but this is the government. What the hell would be wrong with using an off-the-shelf device that HAS voice but disable it at the network level. Surely that has got to be cheaper than having HTC design some weird custom device that only the government is going to end up using.
I am sooooo signing up to be a census worker.
It is kind of weird building a custom device for this as several have commented. I've applied to work as a census worker before and never was called to work. (years ago) Curiously I've never been included in the census as far as I know. Never had them come to my home (I live in town) or call etc. I've never even recived a questionare in the mail although I've seen ones that freinds have filled out. So if they have never contacted my household how do they count me and my family? Do they sometimes use other sources of data like the phone book and school records? Just currious.