VeinScanning
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Sony's FVA-U1 reads veins, coming to Japan this month
Sony has finally delivered on its Mofiria promise with what it claims is the world's smallest and lightest finger vein reader. That assertion may be challenged by Hitachi, whose 3mm-thick scanner promises to be even smaller, but the critical difference here is that the FVA-U1 is about to go on sale in Japan come December 18, whereas Hitachi's hardware is nowhere to be found. The Sony scanner weighs a measly 33 grams, hooks up via USB, and adds an extra layer of biometric protection for your most precious data. Whether carrying around an extra dongle just to protect some Excel spreadsheets and your Outlook account is worth it, we leave up to you.
Hitachi builds 3mm-thick vein scanner in its Transylvanian lair
Hitachi has always been hot for vein authentication modules, and its latest iteration takes the whole tech down to just three millimeters in thickness. Given that the current generation requires 23.5mm (nearly an inch) of space to operate in, it's easy to see why your netbook doesn't have one, but Hitachi hopes that's all about to change. Using a CMOS sensor to take almost instant readings, the vein scanner is deadly accurate -- there's only a one in a million chance of it authorizing the wrong person. Volume production is expected within two years, meaning that by 2011 you'll finally have a reliable way to keep your parents out of your "Misc" data folders.
Sony's Mofiria biometrics to be trotted out sometime this year
We don't know anybody who seriously relies on biometrics -- except, of course, those of you who rushed out late last year to pick up your very own BioMirage Coffer -- but if this is your bag, take note: Sony has just announced Mofiria, their new high speed, compact biometric solution for mobile devices. Similar to Fujitsu's PalmSecure, the technology uses near infrared LEDs and a CMOS sensor to capture a snapshot of your veins. Apparently, vein patterns vary from person to person and from finger to finger, and don't change throughout a person's life -- making them perfect for use in authentication. Of course, passwords should also vary from person to person, and computer to computer, but Sony won't ever be able to charge extra for a secure password. And that's really what all this is about, isn't it? No word on a price yet, but this bad boy should roll out sometime in 2009. PR after the break.
Fujitsu intros PalmSecure PC Log-In Kit for small businesses
Some folks may have concerns about the security of biometric systems, but Fujitsu doesn't seem to be suffering from any such worries, with it now touting its new PalmSecure PC Log-In Kit as a quick and easy (and secure) solution for small and medium-sized businesses. At the center of the kit is the company's PalmSecure mouse (no word if its been revised since the earlier version pictured at right), which makes use of palm vein-scanning technology instead of the more common fingerprint-scanning variety. That, Fujitsu says, should allow for quick log-ons into Windows sessions or password-protected applications, with a greater tolerance for the distance and angle of the hand when its placed over the scanner. No firm word on price just yet, unfortunately, but Fujitsu says it'll be available at a "competitive price point" when it's released this June.
