This device appears to have a mag stripe reader and the only country that is NOT mandated to move to chip+PIN (i.e. smartcard) is the US. So, this device is worthless in most countries. It will still need to be certified for PCI DSS.

Well, it would have to be connected to the USB port without something like wifi, which is not mentioned. Many would have been happy to have had the apple announcement turn out to be a widescreen ipod, with 40GB+ and possible wifi. This is a conervative strategy to cut the legs out of the iphone launch sincemost people have phones.

At least there's no 2-year contract.

that reminds me of something i tried for an undergrad exam. Studying late the night before (of course), I had to check on/ make changes to a reaction I was running (undergrad research). Since I was already in the building (~1am), I decided to see if I could find the "job" on the copier that was used to make the copies of the exam. I found the job because I knew roughly when the copies were made and about how many students, but couldn't get the copier to spit out another copy. I would have called tech support, but it was late. I did learn it was 12 pages..............

MS should start calling it "privateering" instead of pirating, if that is the strategy.

Back when the euro-powers were battling in the "new world" they used private individuals and empowered them to attack enemy vessels. This state-sanctioned activity eventually led to "piracy".

So, b/c this is now "sanctioned" I can say that im a privateer of windows, not a pirate!

nikster, I believe someone did already think of this:
http://www.nxp.com/applications/connectivity/nfc_mobile/network_setup/index.html
It has been touted by NXP (formerly Philips semi) since they started shipping NFC-enabled ASICs.

Do you really think that consumer-facing, device-maker Apple, would come up with this before the companies that design the integrated circuits (that would actually be used)? This fanboyist attitude has to stop....please.

No device on the market can do this currently, and retrofitting is NOT an option.

So, what network would this work on anyway? Neither Cingular or T-Mobile have 3G networks where I live. News on either company rolling out large 3G networks is sparse at best, do you all have info on 3G networks (HSPDA, not EVDO) in the US?

These companies are licensed specific frequencies to use for their networks. In is not just a matter of anti-trust, but also FCC regulations (see Sirius/ XM merger issues).

Just because you like your carrier doesn't mean they're the most likely acquirer. I think many of you are just searching for reasons to justify your sick allegiance with

BTW, t-moblie has 101M subscribers worldwide. There have been rumors of comcast acquiring their US operations, though the chances look slim.

My bet is on Sprint, whose 3G network is superior to Verizon. I have cingular, but am no longer under contract.

However, in this case they control the HW. Also, windows needs to be open enough to allow 3rd party app development (supports the most 3rd party SW of any platform). Not that iMania would allow that to be understood.

@Castle, it isn't even a blog, just a parked page with lots of advertising.
Doubly annoying!!

Hold Up! This is really an INTEL product, the C5. Part of their business known as Intel Digital Health. Motion simply helped with its final design. Here's the link: http://www.informationweek.com/blog/main/archives/2007/02/intel_inside_he.html

What is still baffling is who wrote the requirements document??? I was only mildly convinced that my intuition was correct that there are some seriously missing features. But, after reading the comments above from those people involved directly with the healthcare industry it seems certain.

What market do you target when your product costs way too much? Why health care of course b/c they have lots of money. Their product marketing group should be fired.

If you are going after the health care industry don't you think some strong partnerships within that industry would help your distribution??

Motion, go make some friends that have a clue about this business like Cerner, or some other EMR SW supplier, like hospital IT SI's, like WiFi real-time location systems providers, and anyone involved with patient safety at the point of care.