While we knew the Brits were looking Apple's way to help curb the nagging gadget theft problems still going on across the pond, it looks like Cupertino may have the ability to offer up a few solutions after a 2004 patent filing was reportedly awarded. According to AppleInsider, a US patent around "acceleration-based theft detection system" for movable devices was granted to Jobs & Co., and while we're still taking this with a grain of salt, it's not too surprising to hear of Apple coming out with a more secure method to stop theft than that cutesy combination lock built into new iPods. The filing insinuates that an accelerometer could be paired up with recognition software that could theoretically differentiate between normal bumps and ill intentions, and while specific hardware wasn't exactly covered, we can certainly assume that the more portable devices would get the anti-theft treatment first. All in all, the concept here seems fairly novel, but considering that using your Nike + iPod kit would probably cause all sorts of false alarms to go off using such a deterrent, we'll probably stick with the "toss gadget at larcenists' forehead" approach to keep our handhelds secure for now.

Here's a new angle on curbing the thievery that's spiked England's petty crime rates up in recent years: don't try to solve society's ills with progressive social programs to make sure youth get and stay on the right track; or ensure greater levels of police protection; just make sure companies like Apple and Sony build anti-theft countermeasures into their gadgets. At least that's the plan backed British Home Secretary John Reid, who is calling for a summit to develop innovative new methods to keep thugs from swiping shiny new toys from the hard-working hands of legit buyers. We're sure Apple and Sony can both come up with some interesting new shutdown / lockoff / phone-home features (that might also compromise end-user privacy), but nothin' says lovin' like bureaucrats solving society's ills by trying their hands at consumer electronics design.

Most PowerPoint presentations tend to be pretty boring, because no matter how good the projector, your audience is still forced to sit through an endless series of poorly-formatted infographics. Well Toshiba's got a new LCD projector on the market known as the TLP-XC2500U that should help spice up those drab meetings and training sessions by incorporating a three megapixel digital camera on an articulating swing arm, allowing you to display documents and 3D objects along with the usual assortment of bullet-point-filled slides. Specs-wise, this model certainly won't make it to the top of the class -- its XGA resolution, 400:1 contrast ratio, and 2,500 ANSI lumens of brightness place it somewhere in the middle of the pack -- but at $1,539, you're getting a pretty good deal when you factor in that bonus camera. Other nice features include a bundled remote with digital zoom, monitor mirroring so you can face your audience and still keep track of what's on screen, and best of all, instant shut-down with no cool down period so you can get the hell out of there as quickly as possible if your presentation was a real dud. Also on board are dual security systems: a removable control panel makes the projector useless without a password (though it could still be jacked and scrapped for parts), and its 8.8-pound weight means that potential thieves will look pretty conspicuous trying to lug it out of the conference room.

[Via About Projectors]