Engadget http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[FBI deactivates about 3,000 GPS tracking devices, loses sight of your car]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/27/fbi-deactivates-about-3-000-gps-tracking-devices-loses-sight-of/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/27/fbi-deactivates-about-3-000-gps-tracking-devices-loses-sight-of/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/27/fbi-deactivates-about-3-000-gps-tracking-devices-loses-sight-of/#commentsFBI deactivates GPS trackersFollowing a January ruling by the US Supreme Court, the FBI has deactivated some 3,000 GPS units that were potentially infringing on the Fourth Amendment. The decision seems to be making waves in the U.S. Justice Department. Andrew Weissmann, FBI General Counsel, says some of the devices have been difficult to retrieve, as the vehicles they were once tracking now move undetected. The FBI has sought temporary permission to reactivate some of the devices to locate and retrieve the hardware. Weissmann says the FBI is also developing new guidelines regarding the legality of its agent's actions -- from the application and use of tracking devices, to the extent a suspect's garbage can be searched before the agent is committing trespass. In short, the FBI is working really hard not to violate your legal right to privacy. If you happen to find something weird under you car, give 'em a call. They'd probably like it back.

FBI deactivates about 3,000 GPS tracking devices, loses sight of your car originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 27 Feb 2012 13:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>FBIfourth amendmentFourthAmendmentgpsgps trackingGpsTrackingpoliceprivacysearchsearch warrantSearchWarrantsupreme courtSupremeCourttrackingus supreme courtUsSupremeCourtMon, 27 Feb 2012 13:41:00 EST<![CDATA[Taser's on-officer cameras catch you in the act, right to remain silent imperative]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/21/tasers-on-officer-cameras-catch-you-in-the-act-right-to-remain/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/21/tasers-on-officer-cameras-catch-you-in-the-act-right-to-remain/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/21/tasers-on-officer-cameras-catch-you-in-the-act-right-to-remain/#comments Taser International has released an update to its on-officer system, the AXON Flex. The new rig provides law enforcement officials with body-mounted cameras that capture video evidence "from the officer's perspective." These recording devices can be affixed to the hat, collar, shoulder or on specially designed Oakley shades and are ruggedized to IPX2 standards. That's all well and good, but what really gives this setup nerd-cred is what can be done with the captured video. Through a partnership with evidence.com, the Flex system can send footage to a "military grade" cloud-based storage system for safe keeping; there is also an on-site storage option for IT-savvy forces. As if that weren't enough, Taser and Looxcie have co-developed a smartphone app -- available for iOS or Android -- that will allow officers to review captured clips and add GPS coordinates, notes or timestamps. The system's goal is to protect officers from "false claims, enhance public trust [and] decrease litigation." AXON Flex is set to be released in Q1 and will have a base price of around $700. Don't tase film me, bro.

Continue reading Taser's on-officer cameras catch you in the act, right to remain silent imperative

Taser's on-officer cameras catch you in the act, right to remain silent imperative originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 21 Feb 2012 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AndroidAxonAXON FlexAxonFlexcameracloudcloud storageCloudStorageevidenceEvidence.comFlexGPSiOSlaw enforcementLawEnforcementmobilepolicesmartphonestorageTASERvideovideo evidenceVideoEvidenceTue, 21 Feb 2012 00:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Former Olympus chairman Tsuyoshi Kikukawa comes down from the mount, into police custody]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/16/olympus-tsuyoshi-kikukawa-arrested-in-tokyo/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/16/olympus-tsuyoshi-kikukawa-arrested-in-tokyo/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/16/olympus-tsuyoshi-kikukawa-arrested-in-tokyo/#comments If you've been following the latest camera industry accounting scandal, then you're probably well aware that all is not well at Olympus. The Japanese company took its latest blow today when former chairman Tsuyoshi Kikukawa was arrested in Tokyo on suspicion of having falsified financial statements. The Tokyo prosecutor's office released a statement saying that two other former execs were also brought into police custody, including Hisashi Mori, a former executive vice president, and Hideo Yamada, a former auditor. Olympus is also faced with the possibility of being delisted from the Tokyo Stock Exchange -- the decision has been deferred awaiting further evidence. So what does all this mean for the scandal-ridden camera maker's position in the industry? Little, perhaps, from a consumer perspective, considering that Olympus has continued to announce and ship new products, including the well-received EM-5. The fate of its former executives, however, is less auspicious.

Former Olympus chairman Tsuyoshi Kikukawa comes down from the mount, into police custody originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Feb 2012 09:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accountingarrestarrestedbusinessfraudillegalindustryjapanlegalmoneyolympuspoliceproblemraidraidedscamscandalShuichi TakayamaShuichiTakayamatokyoTsuyoshi KikukawaTsuyoshiKikukawaThu, 16 Feb 2012 09:27:00 EST<![CDATA[AR goggles take crime scene technology to CSI: Miami level]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/31/ar-goggles-take-crime-scene-technology-to-csi-miami-level/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/31/ar-goggles-take-crime-scene-technology-to-csi-miami-level/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/31/ar-goggles-take-crime-scene-technology-to-csi-miami-level/#comments AR goggles take crime scene technology to CSI: Miami levelDutch researchers are looking to catapult crime scene investigation into the 21st century through the use of augmented reality (AR). The prototype system, designed by the Delft University of Technology, employs a pair of AR goggles, two head-mounted cameras and a portable laptop rig to allow investigators to build virtual crime scenes by tagging evidence and placing objects they are viewing. After mapping an area, additional law enforcement personnel can review the investigator's work and request additional information -- asking the CSI to define or place additional objects. Researchers hope that the 3D renders will be used as court-admissible evidence in the near future; the technology is set to be tried on a real Dutch crime scene later this year. We can see it now: Lieutenant Horatio Caine whips off his shades and tosses on a pair of (equally stylish) crime-fighting goggles... YEAAAAAAAAH!

AR goggles take crime scene technology to CSI: Miami level originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 31 Jan 2012 15:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3DARAugmentedAugmented RealityAugmentedRealitycrimecrime sceneCrimeSceneCSIDelft University of TechnologyDelftUniversityOfTechnologydisplaydisplaysimaginglaw enforcementLawEnforcementmodelNetherlandspoliceRealityscenevideowearablesTue, 31 Jan 2012 15:08:00 EST<![CDATA[Supreme Court says police must get search warrant to use GPS tracking devices]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/23/supreme-court-says-police-must-get-search-warrant-to-use-gps-tra/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/23/supreme-court-says-police-must-get-search-warrant-to-use-gps-tra/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/23/supreme-court-says-police-must-get-search-warrant-to-use-gps-tra/#commentsThe US Supreme Court ruled today that police must first obtain a search warrant before using GPS devices to track a suspect's vehicle, agreeing with an earlier appeals court ruling but rejecting the Obama administration's position on the case. In delivering the decision, Justice Antonin Scalia wrote that the court holds "that the government's installation of a GPS device on a target's vehicle, and its use of that device to monitor the vehicle's movements, constitutes a 'search,'" and therefore violated the individual's Fourth Amendment rights. The case itself concerned a Washington DC nightclub owner and suspected drug dealer, Antoine Jones, who had his car's movements monitored for a month and was eventually sentenced to life in prison, only to see that conviction overturned by the aforementioned appeals court on the grounds that the police did not have a search warrant when they placed the GPS tracking device on his vehicle.

[Image courtesy Wired]

Supreme Court says police must get search warrant to use GPS tracking devices originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 23 Jan 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fourth amendmentFourthAmendmentgpsgps trackingGpsTrackingpoliceprivacysearchsearch warrantSearchWarrantsupreme courtSupremeCourttrackingus supreme courtUsSupremeCourtMon, 23 Jan 2012 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[NYPD begins testing long-distance gun detector as alternative to physical searches]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/21/nypd-begins-testing-long-distance-gun-detector-as-alternative-to/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/21/nypd-begins-testing-long-distance-gun-detector-as-alternative-to/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/21/nypd-begins-testing-long-distance-gun-detector-as-alternative-to/#comments As part of its ongoing effort to keep New York City safe, the NYPD has begun testing a new scanning device capable of detecting concealed firearms from a distance of about 16 feet. Developed in conjunction with the Department of Defense, the technology uses terahertz imaging detection to measure the radiation that humans naturally emit, and determine whether the flow of this radiation is impeded by a foreign object -- in this case, a gun. During a speech Tuesday, Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said the device shows "a great deal of promise as a way of detecting weapons without a physical search." Kelly went on to say that the technology would only be deployed under "reasonably suspicious circumstances," though some civil liberties activists are already expressing concerns. "We find this proposal both intriguing and worrisome," New York Civil Liberties Union executive director Donna Lieberman said in a statement, adding that the scanner could all too easily infringe upon civilian privacy. "If the NYPD is moving forward with this, the public needs more information about this technology, how it works and the dangers it presents." For now, the NYPD is only testing the device at a shooting range in the Bronx, and has yet to offer a timeline for its potential deployment.

NYPD begins testing long-distance gun detector as alternative to physical searches originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 21 Jan 2012 07:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>civil libertiesCivilLibertiesdepartment of defenseDepartmentOfDefensefirearmsgungunshandgunslaw enforcementLawEnforcementnew york citynew york police departmentNewYorkCityNewYorkPoliceDepartmentnypdpoliceprivacyprototyperadiationscannerterahertzterahertz imaging detectionTerahertzImagingDetectionSat, 21 Jan 2012 07:08:00 EST<![CDATA[iPhone 4S launch in China draws large crowds, unnecessary violence and SWAT teams (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/12/iphone-4s-launch-brings-chaos-in-china/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/12/iphone-4s-launch-brings-chaos-in-china/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/12/iphone-4s-launch-brings-chaos-in-china/#comments No Apple product launch is complete without long lines, frustration and utter exhaustion. Unfortunately, the arrival of the iPhone 4S has escalated this reality to a new level in China. We're now reading reports of fights breaking out between competing gangs of scalpers in the country, each hoping to get their hands on large quantities of Cupertino's latest smartphone. The conflicts have been significant enough to attract the attention of Chinese police, and we now hear that the Apple Store in Beijing is keeping its doors locked in attempt to make the crowds leave. While we've yet to hear of any significant injuries, it seems the company's storefront is now coated with plenty of eggs. If you're interested to keep track of the unfortunate situation, you'll find more coverage below and a video after the break.

Continue reading iPhone 4S launch in China draws large crowds, unnecessary violence and SWAT teams (video)

iPhone 4S launch in China draws large crowds, unnecessary violence and SWAT teams (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 12 Jan 2012 20:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applechinaiosiphoneiphone 4sIphone4slaunch-daymobmobilepostcrosspoliceriotscalperssmartphonesmartphonesvideoThu, 12 Jan 2012 20:41:00 EST<![CDATA[Olympus' Tokyo offices raided over accounting scandal]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/20/olympus-tokyo-offices-raided-over-accounting-scandal/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/20/olympus-tokyo-offices-raided-over-accounting-scandal/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/20/olympus-tokyo-offices-raided-over-accounting-scandal/#comments Eke. A nearly-century old outfit is currently giving up office space to Japanese prosecutors, who today moved in on Olympus' Tokyo facilities in a raid surrounding an ongoing accounting investigation. According to reports from The Wall Street Journal and Reuters, the scandal involves many billions of dollars -- "irregularities" that have raised serious concerns about the outfit's handling of funds. It's bruited that the company has been running a scheme to conceal over $1.5 billion in investment losses, and we're told that the raid should pass right on through Olympus' headquarters and into the "homes of executives involved in the cover-up." All of this follows an admission last month that the firm had used "inflated payments made in acquisitions in recent years," and while it remains unclear what all of this means for its future, there's no doubt a few dark months are ahead as things sort themselves out. So much for looking pretty for the camera, eh?

Olympus' Tokyo offices raided over accounting scandal originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 20 Dec 2011 22:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accountingbusinessillegalindustryjapanlegalmoneyolympuspoliceproblemraidraidedscamscandaltokyoTue, 20 Dec 2011 22:37:00 EST<![CDATA[Cordon multi-target photo-radar system leaves no car untagged (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/31/cordon-multi-target-photo-radar-system-leaves-no-car-untagged-v/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/31/cordon-multi-target-photo-radar-system-leaves-no-car-untagged-v/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/31/cordon-multi-target-photo-radar-system-leaves-no-car-untagged-v/#comments
Go easy on the gas, Speed Racer, because Cordon is on its way. Developed by Simicon, this new speed sensor promises to take highway surveillance to new heights of precision. Unlike most photo radar systems, which track only one violator at a time, Simicon's device can simultaneously identify and follow up to 32 vehicles across four lanes. Whenever a car enters its range, the Cordon will automatically generate two images: one from wide-angle view and one closeup shot of the vehicle's license plate. It's also capable of instantly measuring a car's speed and mapping its position, and can easily be synced with other databases via WiFi, 3G or WiMAX. Plus, this device is compact and durable enough to be mounted upon a tripod or atop a road sign, making it even harder for drivers to spot. Fortunately, though, you still have time to change your dragster ways, as distributor Peak Gain Systems won't be bringing the Cordon to North America until the first quarter of 2012. Cruise past the break to see some footage of a field trial that's currently underway -- cars tagged with a green dot are traveling below the speed limit, those with a yellow marking are chugging along within an acceptable range above the limit, while vehicles with a red tab are just asking for trouble.

Continue reading Cordon multi-target photo-radar system leaves no car untagged (video)

Cordon multi-target photo-radar system leaves no car untagged (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 31 Oct 2011 09:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cameracarcarscordongpsimagelawlicense platelicense plate recognitionLicensePlateLicensePlateRecognitionphotophoto radarPhotoRadarpoliceradarroadroadwaysimiconspeedspeedingtrackingvehiclevideoMon, 31 Oct 2011 09:37:00 EST<![CDATA[Escort's SmartCord Live brings radar detection, KRS-One to your smartphone (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/28/escorts-smartcord-live-brings-radar-detection-krs-one-to-your/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/28/escorts-smartcord-live-brings-radar-detection-krs-one-to-your/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/28/escorts-smartcord-live-brings-radar-detection-krs-one-to-your/#comments
Evading the long arm of the law, as we all know, is infinitely easier with a radar detector onboard -- and even easier if said detector is hooked up to a cloud. That's the idea behind the SmartCord Live, a new power cord from the eagle-eyed folks at Escort. Once connected to your car's radar detector and lighter socket, this Bluetooth-enabled bundle will communicate with your iPhone or Android handset through a specialized app. Once that's taken care of, you'll be hooked up to Escort Live -- a so-called "social network for the road." There, you'll find access to Escort's Defender database, full of real-time geographic information on verified speed traps, red light cameras and other roadway surveillance systems. Once your detector picks up a threat, you can press a "report" button on the cord or app to instantly send out a big "five-oh" to all other Escort users in the area, while boosting your Karma quotient, in the process. Find out more about the cord and its corollary system, after the break.

Continue reading Escort's SmartCord Live brings radar detection, KRS-One to your smartphone (video)

Escort's SmartCord Live brings radar detection, KRS-One to your smartphone (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 28 Oct 2011 08:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidappapplicationbluetoothbundlecarclouddatabasedrivingescortescort liveescort live smartcord liveEscortLiveEscortLiveSmartcordLiveiphonemapmobilepostminipolicepower cordPowerCordradarradar detectorRadarDetectorred lightred light cameraRedLightRedLightCamerasmartcord liveSmartcordLivesmartphonesocial networkSocialNetworkspeed trapSpeedTraptransportvideoFri, 28 Oct 2011 08:54:00 EST<![CDATA[Flying cops board gyroplane for Big Brother-style eyes in the sky]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/13/flying-cops-board-gyroplane-for-big-brother-style-eyes-in-the-sk/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/13/flying-cops-board-gyroplane-for-big-brother-style-eyes-in-the-sk/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/13/flying-cops-board-gyroplane-for-big-brother-style-eyes-in-the-sk/#comments "Get to tha choppa!" is probably the first thing the Tromball, Texas cops will be shouting now that they're the proud owners of America's first police gyroplane. This type of aircraft is nothing new, but for the 5-0 testing the Auto-Gyro MTOsport, it's a cheaper and simpler alternative to a helicopter -- and way sweeter looking. For the price of two high-end squad cars (around $75,000), the heat can go air-bound, compared to $1-4.5 million for a standard whirlybird. The machine also requires far less pre-flight prep before soaring 13 feet per second into the sky only to max out at a face-melting speed of 115 mph. With a rotax motor, pilots can dip from the air quickly and easily since the copter's already in autorotation, unlike a standard helicopter, which requires some heavy maneuvering. The downside? It's horrible at night and in bad weather, meaning the cops will have to keep those Crown Vics in the garage, just in case.

Flying cops board gyroplane for Big Brother-style eyes in the sky originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 13 Sep 2011 19:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Auto-Gyro MTOsportAuto-gyroMtosportAutoRotationcopcopsgyroplanehelicopterhelicopterslaw enforcementLawEnforcementpolicepolice surveillancePoliceSurveillancerotaxtexastromballTue, 13 Sep 2011 19:53:00 EST<![CDATA[UK teen arrested for illegal BBM, social media crackdown gains steam]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/13/uk-teen-arrested-for-illegal-bbm-social-media-crackdown-gains-s/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/13/uk-teen-arrested-for-illegal-bbm-social-media-crackdown-gains-s/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/13/uk-teen-arrested-for-illegal-bbm-social-media-crackdown-gains-s/#comments Lending further gravity to the proposed crackdown being bandied about in British parliament, an Essex teen has been arrested for sending a BBM that ran afoul of the Serious Crime Act of 2007. The 18-year old, now free on bail, allegedly used the service to encourage copycat attacks of the violent rioting that's swept London, and is set to appear in court on September 1st. It's the second known case to put RIM's private messaging service -- "popular among urban teenagers" as a cheap texting alternative -- in the UK's legal hotseat. For its part, the Canadian electronics maker has since reached out to police, promising to aid the investigation "in any way [it] can." Although no decision has yet been made to extend law enforcement's powers over social media services, such as Twitter and Facebook, arrests like these seem to indicate a murky free speech future.

UK teen arrested for illegal BBM, social media crackdown gains steam originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 13 Aug 2011 01:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arrestarrestsBBMblackberryBlackBerry MessengerBlackberryMessengercensorshipcrimedavid cameronDavidCameronenglandFacebookfree speechfreedom of speechFreedomOfSpeechFreeSpeechlondonlondon riotsLondonRiotsparliamentpolicepoliticsResearch In MotionResearchInMotionRIMriotsurveillancetwitterukunited kingdomUnitedKingdomvideoviolenceSat, 13 Aug 2011 01:41:00 EST<![CDATA[UK Prime Minister exploring social media crackdown in wake of London riots (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/11/uk-prime-minister-exploring-social-media-crackdown-in-wake-of-lo/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/11/uk-prime-minister-exploring-social-media-crackdown-in-wake-of-lo/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/11/uk-prime-minister-exploring-social-media-crackdown-in-wake-of-lo/#comments
As Londoners continue to pick up the rubble and carnage from this week's riots, UK Prime Minister David Cameron is exploring new ways to maintain order -- including, apparently, a government crackdown on social media. In a speech to members of Parliament today, Cameron made clear his belief that law enforcement officials should be able to curb and monitor the use of social networking sites under certain circumstances, lending credence to the theory that mechanisms like Facebook, Twitter and BlackBerry played a critical role in inciting the recent violence:
"Free flow of information can be used for good. But it can also be used for ill. And when people are using social media for violence we need to stop them. So we are working with the Police, the intelligence services and industry to look at whether it would be right to stop people communicating via these websites and services when we know they are plotting violence, disorder and criminality."
There's a fine line separating issues of national security from the rights to free speech, but it's a line that Cameron seems willing to toe. And, though he and his Conservative government are only mulling the idea, it's difficult to ignore the irony in his statements. Keep in mind that this is the same man who roundly condemned Hosni Mubarak for shutting down Egypt's internet at the height of its revolution, calling for the now-ousted leader to fully respect the "freedom of expression and communication, including use of telephones and the internet." Cameron, of course, isn't calling for anything nearly as drastic as what Mubarak orchestrated, nor is he facing anywhere near the same level of domestic turmoil. But the fundamental narrative remains the same: in the face of social upheaval, a national leader instinctively reaches for a digital muzzle as a stop-gap measure, while (perhaps) ignoring the larger, longer-term ramifications of his actions. Fortunately for the UK, though, Cameron is already doing one thing that Mubarak apparently never did -- he's thinking about right and wrong. Head past the break to see Cameron's speech, in its entirety.

Continue reading UK Prime Minister exploring social media crackdown in wake of London riots (video)

UK Prime Minister exploring social media crackdown in wake of London riots (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Aug 2011 18:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blackberrycensorshipcrimedavid cameronDavidCameronegyptenglandfacebookfree speechfreedom of speechFreedomOfSpeechFreeSpeechhosni mubarakHosniMubaraklondonlondon riotsLondonRiotsparliamentpolicepoliticsResearch In MotionResearchInMotionRIMriotsurveillancetwitterukunited kingdomUnitedKingdomvideoviolenceThu, 11 Aug 2011 18:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Researchers use children's toy to exploit security hole in feds' radios, eavesdrop on conversations]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/11/researchers-use-childrens-toy-to-exploit-security-hole-in-feds/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/11/researchers-use-childrens-toy-to-exploit-security-hole-in-feds/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/11/researchers-use-childrens-toy-to-exploit-security-hole-in-feds/#comments
Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania have discovered a potentially major security flaw in the radios used by federal agents, as part of a new study that's sure to raise some eyebrows within the intelligence community. Computer science professor Matt Blaze and his team uncovered the vulnerability after examining a set of handheld and in-car radios used by law enforcement officials in two, undisclosed metropolitan areas. The devices, which operate on a wireless standard known as Project 25 (P25), suffer from a relatively simple design flaw, with indicators and switches that don't always make it clear whether transmissions are encrypted. And, because these missives are sent in segments, a hacker could jam an entire message by blocking just one of its pieces, without expending too much power. What's really shocking, however, is that the researchers were able to jam messages and track the location of agents using only a $30 IM Me texting device, designed for kids (pictured above). After listening in on sensitive conversations from officials at the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security, Barnes and his team have called for a "substantial top-to-bottom redesign" of the P25 system and have notified the agencies in question. The FBI has yet to comment on the study, but you can read the whole thing for yourself, at the link below.

Researchers use children's toy to exploit security hole in feds' radios, eavesdrop on conversations originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Aug 2011 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crimeDepartment of Homeland Securitydepartment of justiceDepartmentOfHomelandSecurityDepartmentOfJusticedesigneavesdroppingencryptedfedfederal agentFederalAgentIM MeImMejamminglaw enforcementLawEnforcementmatt blazeMattBlazep25policeproject 25Project25radioresearchsecuritysecurity flawSecurityFlawstudytoyunencrypteduniversity of pennsylvaniaUniversityOfPennsylvaniavulnerabilityThu, 11 Aug 2011 11:40:00 EST<![CDATA[NYPD creates social networking unit to pick perps, not poke them]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/11/nypd-creates-social-networking-unit-to-pick-perps-not-poke-them/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/11/nypd-creates-social-networking-unit-to-pick-perps-not-poke-them/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/11/nypd-creates-social-networking-unit-to-pick-perps-not-poke-them/#comments You've heard of the Special Victims Unit, but what about the Social Networking Unit? The time has come for criminals dumb enough to boast about their exploits on Facebook and Twitter to pay the proverbial piper. According to NY Daily News, the Big Apple's newly minted Assistant Commissioner, Kevin O'Connor, will enlist the department's juvenile justice unit to hunt down ne'er-do-wells on various social networking sites. So remember, even if your friends don't care about the Cookie Puss you just posted to your Facebook page, somewhere out there someone is watching.

NYPD creates social networking unit to pick perps, not poke them originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Aug 2011 00:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arrestbig brotherBigBrothercopscrimecriminalsfacebookkevin oconnorKevinOconnormyspaceNew YorkNewYorkNYPDpolicesocial media unitsocial networkingsocial networking unitSocialMediaUnitSocialNetworkingSocialNetworkingUnittwitterThu, 11 Aug 2011 00:02:00 EST<![CDATA[FBI's Child ID app helps iPhone users find their missing children]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/08/fbis-child-id-app-helps-iphone-users-find-their-missing-childre/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/08/fbis-child-id-app-helps-iphone-users-find-their-missing-childre/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/08/fbis-child-id-app-helps-iphone-users-find-their-missing-childre/#commentsThe FBI has just released its very first mobile app, aimed at helping parents deal with their worst nightmare -- a missing child. Known as Child ID, the application allows users to store their kid's photos and identifying information directly on their handsets, making it easier to provide authorities with vital data whenever the little one disappears. Parents can also use the tool to dial 911 or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children with the tap of a button, and can instantly e-mail their child's details to law enforcement officials, thanks to a dedicated tab. Of course, some may feel uncomfortable with keeping such personal information stored on a smartphone, but the Bureau insists that none of the data will be collected or shared without authorization -- and they're pretty good at keeping secrets. For now, Child ID is available only for iPhone, though the FBI plans to expand it to other mobile devices in the near future. Interested iOS users can download it for themselves, at the iTunes link below.

FBI's Child ID app helps iPhone users find their missing children originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Aug 2011 05:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>911appchild IDChildIdchildrendownloadfbiFederal Bureau of InvestigationFederalBureauOfInvestigationiosiphoneiphone appIphoneAppituneskidlawMissing ChildrenMissingChildrenmobile appMobileAppnational center for missing and exploited childrenNationalCenterForMissingAndExploitedChildrenncmecphotopolicesmartphoneMon, 08 Aug 2011 05:11:00 EST<![CDATA[Portable device can sniff out anthrax in an hour, won't bring the noise]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/02/portable-device-can-sniff-out-anthrax-in-an-hour-wont-bring-th/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/02/portable-device-can-sniff-out-anthrax-in-an-hour-wont-bring-th/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/02/portable-device-can-sniff-out-anthrax-in-an-hour-wont-bring-th/#commentsGot some mysterious white powder sitting on your coffee table? A new, suitcase-sized device can tell you whether you've got dandruff, or anthrax. Developed by researchers at Cornell and the University of Albany, the detector uses a microfluidic chip (pictured on the left) to collect and purify the DNA on a given sample, before conducting a series of polymerase chain reactions -- processes that can quickly identify biological materials. The machine, which has been in the works for seven years, is powerful enough to deliver test results in just one hour (requiring a sample of only 40 microscopic spores), but is slim enough to fit in an airline's overhead luggage bin. Scientists say their creation could also be catered to pick up on other pathogens, including salmonella, and may even pay dividends for crime scene investigators handling forensic evidence. No word yet on when the device could hit the market, but we won't touch an ounce of sugar until it does.

Portable device can sniff out anthrax in an hour, won't bring the noise originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 02 Aug 2011 14:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anthraxanthrax attacksanthrax detectorAnthraxAttacksAnthraxDetectorcornellcornell universityCornellUniversitycrimedetectordnaforensicsmicrofluidicmicrofluidic chipMicrofluidicChippathogenpolicepolymerase chain reactionsPolymeraseChainReactionsresearchsafetysalmonellasecuritysuitcaseterrorismuniversity of albanyUniversityOfAlbanyTue, 02 Aug 2011 14:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Chevy Volts invade NYC police fleet, give cops all new ways to taze bros]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/15/chevy-volts-invade-nyc-police-fleet-give-cops-all-new-ways-to-t/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/15/chevy-volts-invade-nyc-police-fleet-give-cops-all-new-ways-to-t/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/15/chevy-volts-invade-nyc-police-fleet-give-cops-all-new-ways-to-t/#comments
New York's boys in blue will soon be able to creep up on evildoers with even more subtlety, thanks to some new electrified vehicles the city unveiled yesterday. As part of Mayor Michael Bloomberg's environmentally-friendly PlaNYC initiative, 70 new EVs have been added to the city's fleet of public cars, in the hopes of lowering emissions and creating a "greener, greater New York City." Joining the force are ten Ford Transit Connect cargo vans, ten Navi-star E-star trucks and a full 50 Chevy Volts -- some of which will be used as NYPD squad cars. These newcomers will be shared among nine different departments, joining 360 other city plug-ins already purring their way across the five boroughs. Bloomberg is also working toward adding EVs to New York's army of 13,000 taxis -- which we're totally cool with, as long as they're not minivans. Zip past the break for a rather Homeric press release.

Continue reading Chevy Volts invade NYC police fleet, give cops all new ways to taze bros

Chevy Volts invade NYC police fleet, give cops all new ways to taze bros originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 15 Jul 2011 01:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bloombergchevroletchevychevy voltChevyVoltcitye-starelectric vehicleElectricVehicleemissionsenvironmentEVfordford transit connectFordTransitConnectmichael bloombergMichaelBloombergmike bloombergMikeBloombergnavi-starnavi-star e-starNavi-starE-starnew yorknew york citynew york police departmentNewYorkNewYorkCityNewYorkPoliceDepartmentNYCnyfdNYPDPlaNYCplug-inpolicepolice carPoliceCartransit connectTransitConnecttransportvoltFri, 15 Jul 2011 01:03:00 EST<![CDATA[BlackBerry PlayBook gets arrested, finds itself toggling light bars in a police car (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/08/blackberry-playbook-gets-arrested-finds-itself-toggling-light-b/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/08/blackberry-playbook-gets-arrested-finds-itself-toggling-light-b/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/08/blackberry-playbook-gets-arrested-finds-itself-toggling-light-b/#comments Look, there's no question that Canada looks out for its own, but if you reckoned that it also let everything slide... well, think again. One D&R Electronics has apparently thrown a BlackBerry PlayBook into a Canadian Dodge Charger, signified by a red maple leaf and the oh-so-distinct use of the word "ayeouuut." Put simply, the 7-inch slate has been coded up to flip on the overhead / side lights, search police databases for names and faces, accept commands wirelessly from an in-car keyboard, and even be fully detachable for those times with mobility is of the utmost importance. You know, like playing Angry Birds while waiting in line to cross the border. Head on past the break to have a look, won't you?

[Thanks, Dan]

Continue reading BlackBerry PlayBook gets arrested, finds itself toggling light bars in a police car (video)

BlackBerry PlayBook gets arrested, finds itself toggling light bars in a police car (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 08 Jul 2011 16:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blackberryBlackBerry PlayBookBlackberryPlaybookchargercopcop carCopCarcopsdiyinstallationlight barLightBarpolicerimsoftwarevideoFri, 08 Jul 2011 16:27:00 EST<![CDATA[Don't bring your computer viruses to Japan, because they're illegal now]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/17/dont-bring-your-computer-viruses-to-japan-because-theyre-ille/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/17/dont-bring-your-computer-viruses-to-japan-because-theyre-ille/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/17/dont-bring-your-computer-viruses-to-japan-because-theyre-ille/#comments Tired of getting swamped with spam and malware? Just pack your things and catch the next flight to Japan, where computer viruses are now considered illegal. Under the country's new legislation, anyone convicted of creating or distributing viruses could face up to three years in prison, or a maximum fine of ¥500,000 (about $6,200). It's all part of Japan's efforts to comply with the Convention on Cybercrime -- an international treaty that requires member governments to criminalize hacking, child pornography, and other terrible things. Privacy advocates, however, have already raised concerns over some stipulations that would allow investigators to seize data from PCs hooked up to allegedly criminal networks, and to retain any suspicious e-mail logs for up to 60 days. In an attempt to quell these fears, the Judicial Affairs Committee tacked a resolution on to the bill calling for police to exercise these powers only when they really, really need to.

Don't bring your computer viruses to Japan, because they're illegal now originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Jun 2011 13:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>computer virusComputerVirusconvention on cybercrimeConventionOnCybercrimecourtcrimecybercrimehackillegaljapanjapaneselawmalwareparliamentpolicepoliticsprivacysecurityspamtreatyvirusFri, 17 Jun 2011 13:33:00 EST<![CDATA[BodyGuard stun-glove leaps out of comic books, into the arms of LA Sheriff's Department]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/01/bodyguard-stun-glove-leaps-out-of-comic-books-into-the-arms-of/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/01/bodyguard-stun-glove-leaps-out-of-comic-books-into-the-arms-of/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/01/bodyguard-stun-glove-leaps-out-of-comic-books-into-the-arms-of/#comments What's better than a seasoned crime fighter? How about a seasoned crime fighter packing a 300,000-volt punch? A new prototype stun-glove is poised to make such Robocop-inspired dreams a reality, integrating a non-lethal taser, LED flashlight, and laser guided video camera into a fetching piece of futuristic armor. Activated by pulling out a grenade-like pin and palming an embedded finger pad, the Armstar BodyGuard 9XI-HD01 sparks a loud and visible arc of electricity between its wrist-mounted taser spikes, a sight that inventor David Brown hopes will encourage would-be crooks to surrender. The gauntlet's hard plastic shell is even roomy enough to add GPS equipment, biometrics, chemical sensors, or other embedded additions, as needed. The first batch of pre-production superhero gloves will hit the streets of LA later this year for testing and evaluation. Need more? Check out the via to see Kevin Costner (what field of dreams did he walk out of?) take the edge off this shocker in a surprisingly dull video.

BodyGuard stun-glove leaps out of comic books, into the arms of LA Sheriff's Department originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Jun 2011 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>720p9xi-hd01arms controlArmstarArmstar BodyguardArmstar BodyGuard 9xi-hd01ArmstarBodyguardArmstarBodyguard9xi-hd01BodyGuardBodyGuard 9xi-hd01Bodyguard9xi-hd01cameracopscrime fightingCrimeFightingcriminalcriminalsflashlightflashlightsglovegunLALA Sherrifs DepartmentLaSherrifsDepartmentlaw enforcementlaw enforcement cameralaw enforcement equipmentLawEnforcementLawEnforcementCameraLawEnforcementEquipmentLos AngelesLosAngelespolicerobocopsecuritystunstun gunStunGuntasertaserswargadgetWed, 01 Jun 2011 10:01:00 EST<![CDATA[AT&T's new cell tower can fit in a suitcase, help restore networks after natural disasters]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/25/atandts-new-cell-tower-can-fit-in-a-suitcase-help-restore-networ/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/25/atandts-new-cell-tower-can-fit-in-a-suitcase-help-restore-networ/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/25/atandts-new-cell-tower-can-fit-in-a-suitcase-help-restore-networ/#comments
Whenever a natural disaster strikes, phone companies are typically forced to patch up their own networks with fleets of trucks that serve as temporary cell towers. It's a process that involves plenty of manpower and, most importantly, plenty of time. AT&T has a more portable solution: a cell tower small enough to fit into a suitcase. The company's new Remote Mobility Zone is comprised of an antenna and accompanying satellite dish, both of which can handle up to 14 simultaneous calls placed within a half-mile radius. Any AT&T phone can connect to the makeshift system, which will sell for anywhere between $15,000 and $45,000 (plus some monthly fees), though emergency workers will need a generator to get it up and running. They'll also have to live without 3G data, which sounds like a reasonable compromise to us.

AT&T's new cell tower can fit in a suitcase, help restore networks after natural disasters originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 25 Apr 2011 10:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ATTbroadbandCell TowerCellToweremergencyemergency responseEmergencyResponsehurricanemobilemobilitynatural disastersNaturalDisastersnetworkphonepoliceremoteremote mobility zoneRemoteMobilityZonesatellitesatellite dishesSatelliteDishessuitcasetowerMon, 25 Apr 2011 10:37:00 EST<![CDATA[Brazilian police live out Robocop fantasies, test glasses that scan for criminals]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/15/brazilian-police-live-out-robocop-fantasies-test-glasses-that-s/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/15/brazilian-police-live-out-robocop-fantasies-test-glasses-that-s/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/15/brazilian-police-live-out-robocop-fantasies-test-glasses-that-s/#comments In advance of the 2016 Olympics 2014 World Cup (and the thousands of visitors it'll draw), military police in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro are testing glasses topped with cameras capable of scanning crowds for criminals. The camera analyzes 46,000 biometric points on up to 400 faces per second -- data that then gets compared with a database of up to 13 million people. If a mug happens to match a wanted person or known troublemaker, a red light will appear on a small screen connected to the glasses. And, in a twist particularly befitting Robocop, the glasses can purportedly be calibrated to zoom in from 12 miles away, though they'll typically be used to manage crowds at a much more personal 50 meters (164 feet). For now, local cops will use them to tame crowds (and likely brawls) at soccer matches and even concerts, but hope to eventually monitor those crowded World Cup stands. As for us, we're all kinds of curious. Where do those tens of millions of faces come from -- Santa's naughty and nice list? What if people wear masks? Or sunglasses at night?

Brazilian police live out Robocop fantasies, test glasses that scan for criminals originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 15 Apr 2011 14:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2016 olympics2016OlympicsBrazilcopscriminalcriminalsglassesheads up displayHeadsUpDisplayhudlaw enforcementlaw enforcement cameralaw enforcement equipmentLawEnforcementLawEnforcementCameraLawEnforcementEquipmentOlympicspolicerio de janeiroRioDeJaneirorobocopsao paoloSaoPaolowargadgetFri, 15 Apr 2011 14:49:00 EST<![CDATA[Naked Florida man opens fire on SWAT bot with AK-47, no kidding]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/07/naked-florida-man-opens-fire-on-swat-bot-with-ak-47-no-kidding/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/07/naked-florida-man-opens-fire-on-swat-bot-with-ak-47-no-kidding/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/07/naked-florida-man-opens-fire-on-swat-bot-with-ak-47-no-kidding/#comments"Investigators say they've never dealt with a naked man attacking a robot before." So starts perhaps the most insane local news story we've ever heard. According to an ABC affiliate in Florida, a disgruntled man, sporting nothing more than his birthday suit and an AK-47, opened fire on a robot last week, after threatening to shoot himself and anyone who crossed the threshold of his home. The $65,000 SWAT bot was sent in to investigate, and captured every inch of the man on video before being pumped full of bullets. Deputies say the man eventually surrendered fully-clothed and was taken for a mental evaluation. No word yet on when or if the footage will be released in a Robo COPS: Disrobed and Dangerous Special Edition. For now, you can check out video at the source link below.

Naked Florida man opens fire on SWAT bot with AK-47, no kidding originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Apr 2011 13:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AK-47copcopsfloridalaw enforcementLawEnforcementlocal newsLocalNewsnakednaked manNakedMannewspolicerobo copRoboCoprobotshootingshootsvideoThu, 07 Apr 2011 13:04:00 EST<![CDATA[America's 'panic button' to wipe phones of democracy activists, perturb repressive governments]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/29/americas-panic-button-to-wipe-phones-of-democracy-activists/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/29/americas-panic-button-to-wipe-phones-of-democracy-activists/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/29/americas-panic-button-to-wipe-phones-of-democracy-activists/#commentsSo, here's the scene. You're out at [insert city center here], completely neglecting any and all work duties, throwing Molotov cocktails at the building of the State you've grown to hate. It's a protest in every sense of the word, and you're rallying the troops via Twitter and Facebook. It's actually not an uncommon painting these days, and while America's not into promoting violence, it is into keeping the personal information of democracy activists secure. According to a fresh Reuters report, the US State Department is currently developing a software-based "panic button" that would wipe a phone's address book and beam out emergency alerts to fellow protesters if they were apprehended. The goal here is to protect the privacy of those captured while promoting their best interests, and to let others know that trouble is brewing. There's no clear indication of the status here, but something tells us that it'd be useful yesterday for a certain region of the globe.

America's 'panic button' to wipe phones of democracy activists, perturb repressive governments originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 29 Mar 2011 23:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activistalertchinademocracyemergencygovernmentjailmiddle eastMiddleEastmobilepanic buttonPanicButtonpolicepoliticsprisonprivacystate departentStateDepartentususaTue, 29 Mar 2011 23:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Anaheim school district handing out GPS trackers to chronically absent students]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/21/anaheim-school-district-handing-out-gps-trackers-to-chronically/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/21/anaheim-school-district-handing-out-gps-trackers-to-chronically/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/21/anaheim-school-district-handing-out-gps-trackers-to-chronically/#commentsSo, it's like this -- if you're a California gang member, you're assigned a GPS tracker. And if you're on track to become a California gang member, you're also assigned a GPS tracker. Lovely. According to The Orange County Register, the Anaheim Union High School District is handing out GPS trackers to chronically absent seventh and eighth graders, with the six-week pilot program expected to break the habit of skipping by nagging the ever-loving heck out of minors. The plan breaks down as such: if you've netted four unexcused absences this year, you and your parents (but mostly your parents) can "volunteer" to have a tracker assigned to the child in question. From there, they'll need to enter a code five times per day in order to pass muster, and they'll also be required to field at least three calls per week from a coach -- someone who will be checking in on one's "progress." The school hopes that having more kids in school will result in fewer kids getting wrapped up in gang activity, and based on successful trials in San Antonio and Baltimore, hopes are understandably high. All told, around 75 students at Dale and South junior high schools are taking part in the pilot program, and district officials are expected to make an expansion decision in due time. Meanwhile, attendance in the weekly Hackers Club has risen significantly in recent weeks, solving the original issue in a very different, roundabout way.

Anaheim school district handing out GPS trackers to chronically absent students originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 21 Feb 2011 11:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>absentAnaheimCaliforniacontroversialeducationlatepoliceprivacyschooltardytrackingMon, 21 Feb 2011 11:51:00 EST<![CDATA[Dell employees arrested for poor decision making skills]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/dell-employees-arrested-for-poor-decision-making-skills/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/dell-employees-arrested-for-poor-decision-making-skills/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/16/dell-employees-arrested-for-poor-decision-making-skills/#comments Round Rock police responded to multiple 911 calls of a suspicious man carrying two metallic objects inside a building at Dell's HQ campus. The "biker," dressed in all black and wearing a skull mask, was yelling at people to "go to the lobby," according to police reports. The ensuing panic resulted in the arrest of two Dell employees charged with interfering with public duties and deadly misconduct. Now get this: the incident was the result of a marketing stunt gone horribly wrong with the purpose of internally promoting a new product for the Dell Streak tablet "which can interface with Harley-Davidson motorcycles." Because really, leather-clad motorcyclists are constantly complaining about the lack of peripherals for their choppers.

Dell employees arrested for poor decision making skills originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 16 Feb 2011 03:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>911arrestbikerchopperdelldumbharleyharley davidsonHarleyDavidsonincidentmarketingpoliceskullskull maskSkullMaskstreakstuntstupidWed, 16 Feb 2011 03:25:00 EST<![CDATA[California Supreme Court says warrantless searches of suspects' text messages are legal]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/10/california-supreme-court-says-warrantless-searches-of-suspects/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/10/california-supreme-court-says-warrantless-searches-of-suspects/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/10/california-supreme-court-says-warrantless-searches-of-suspects/#comments Planning on getting arrested in California any time soon? You'd better make sure your text archives are free from any incriminating information as the state's Supreme Court has now ruled it legal for police to check your missives folder without the need for a warrant. The justification for this privacy intrusion is that a phone search is "incidental" to a lawful arrest and its contents, much like the contents of your pockets or bags, fall within the realm of reasonable search. Two of the judges in the case did dissent, with one noting that "never before has it been possible to carry so much personal or business information in one's pocket or purse," which she argues should afford your iPhone, Droid or BB a higher level of privacy protection than, say, the packet of gummy bears you have in the other pocket. What do you think?

California Supreme Court says warrantless searches of suspects' text messages are legal originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>californiacalifornia supreme courtCaliforniaSupremeCourtconstitutioncourtjudgmentlawlaw enforcementLawEnforcementlegalmessagesmessagingpolicesearchsnoopingtexttextingwarrantwarrantlessMon, 10 Jan 2011 15:27:00 EST<![CDATA[CCTV cameras help solve 'six crimes a day' in London, says Metropolitan Police]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/28/cctv-cameras-help-solve-six-crimes-a-day-in-london-says-metro/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/28/cctv-cameras-help-solve-six-crimes-a-day-in-london-says-metro/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/28/cctv-cameras-help-solve-six-crimes-a-day-in-london-says-metro/#commentsBeen questioning the value of having omnipresent surveillance cameras tracking your every move? Well, if you're an outlaw, you still won't like them, but for the rest of us law-abiding types, London's Metropolitan Police has a comforting stat to share: almost six crimes a day are being resolved with the help of CCTV footage. It's being used primarily to aid the identification of perps on the run, and the number of suspects identified as a result has gone up to 2,512 this year. There is a bright light for criminals, however, as the Met admits digital recordings aren't kept around as long as VHS ones used to be, meaning that if you slip the dragnet once, you'll probably be alright. So good news for everyone!

CCTV cameras help solve 'six crimes a day' in London, says Metropolitan Police originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Dec 2010 05:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>camerascctvcopscrimecrime fightingCrimeFightingcriminalforensicsididentificationlawlaw enforcementLawEnforcementlondonmetropolitan policeMetropolitanPolicepolicesurveillanceukunited kingdomUnitedKingdomTue, 28 Dec 2010 05:37:00 EST<![CDATA[Cops serve court papers via Facebook, perp comments: 'doesn't like']]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/20/cops-serve-court-papers-via-facebook-perp-comments-doesnt-li/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/20/cops-serve-court-papers-via-facebook-perp-comments-doesnt-li/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/20/cops-serve-court-papers-via-facebook-perp-comments-doesnt-li/#comments
We thought we'd seen this move on Law and Order, but whatever: police in Victoria got court approval to deliver court papers via Facebook when all other attempts to contact the individual -- including snail mail and stopping by the house -- failed to pan out. In addition to sending 'em as a private message, a video was also shot of the order being read "as if the Respondent was being directly spoken to," just in case there were any misunderstandings. This isn't the first time Australian courts have used non-traditional means to notify alleged perps: in 2008 courts first granted a lawyer the right to use Facebook in this manner, and that same year a rugby player named Sonny Bill Williams was subpoenaed via SMS message. In case you hadn't guessed it yet, they were looking for the guy for harassment and cyber-bullying -- on Facebook.

Cops serve court papers via Facebook, perp comments: 'doesn't like' originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 20 Oct 2010 11:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>australiacourtfacebooklawlaw enforcementLawEnforcementlegalpolicevictoriaWed, 20 Oct 2010 11:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Screen Grabs: Dell Streak recruited into NCIS:LA for some undercover duty, fights evil Adamo XPS]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/20/screen-grabs-dell-streak-recruited-into-ncis-la-for-some-underc/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/20/screen-grabs-dell-streak-recruited-into-ncis-la-for-some-underc/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/20/screen-grabs-dell-streak-recruited-into-ncis-la-for-some-underc/#commentsScreen Grabs chronicles the uses (and misuses) of real-world gadgets in today's movies and TV. Send in your sightings (with screen grab!) to screengrabs at engadget dt com.

Dell's product placement deal with CBS apparently doesn't stipulate whether its gadgets will be used for good or evil, as illustrated by their cameo appearances on the network's NCIS:LA crime drama. In last night's episode, lead do-gooder Special Agent Callen is seen preparing a Streak tabletphone for some audio recording action before a meeting with the baddies -- who in turn whip out an Adamo XPS (yes, it's still alive!) to seal a deal for some ultra-advanced weaponry. Yep, it's a non-stop cliché extravaganza!

[Thanks, James and Tarek]

Continue reading Screen Grabs: Dell Streak recruited into NCIS:LA for some undercover duty, fights evil Adamo XPS

Screen Grabs: Dell Streak recruited into NCIS:LA for some undercover duty, fights evil Adamo XPS originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 20 Oct 2010 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adamoadamo xpsAdamoXpsandroidcameocbscellphonecop showcopsCopShowcrimecrime dramaCrimeDramadelldell adamodell adamo xpsdell streakDellAdamoDellAdamoXpsDellStreakdramalaw enforcementLawEnforcementncisncis:laphonepoliceproduct placementProductPlacementscreen grabsScreenGrabsslatesmartphonestreaktablettelevisiontvvideoWed, 20 Oct 2010 09:58:00 EST<![CDATA[British police force tweeting every emergency call over 24 hours, ironically keeps getting TwitJailed]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/14/british-police-force-tweeting-out-every-emergency-call-over-24-h/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/14/british-police-force-tweeting-out-every-emergency-call-over-24-h/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/14/british-police-force-tweeting-out-every-emergency-call-over-24-h/#comments The Greater Manchester Police team has decided to show the world how busy law enforcement can get by tweeting out every enquiry/emergency call it has to deal with. Only problem is that it keeps ending up in Twitter jail for posting too much. This one-day-only experiment (or is it a publicity stunt?) will detail every local call to 999 (the British 911) and the GMP's switchboard, uncovering such exciting episodes as "concern for welfare in Rusholme" and "report of threats and abuse on Facebook in Salford" (we're not making this up). It's intended to illustrate to the public and politicians alike the real life daily grind that police officers go through; and we see their point, it must be hell setting up all those new accounts to avoid Twitter's own rule enforcers. Tsk tsk.

British police force tweeting every emergency call over 24 hours, ironically keeps getting TwitJailed originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 14 Oct 2010 10:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>britainbritishbritish policeBritishPolicebureaucracycrimeexperimentgreater manchester policeGreaterManchesterPolicelawlaw enforcementLawEnforcementmanchesterpolicereportingtwitjailtwitterukunited kingdomUnitedKingdomThu, 14 Oct 2010 10:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Google's South Korean offices raided by police as part of Street View investigation]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/10/googles-south-korean-offices-raided-by-police-as-part-of-street/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/10/googles-south-korean-offices-raided-by-police-as-part-of-street/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/10/googles-south-korean-offices-raided-by-police-as-part-of-street/#comments Google may be trying to make nice and play ball with all the thoroughly outraged governments affected by its unintentional WiFi snooping with Street View cars, but that apparently hasn't been good enough for South Korea. Earlier this morning, Google's Seoul HQ was subjected to a raid and search operation by the cyber crime unit of the Korean National Police Agency, due to suspicions that it may have collected and stored data from WiFi networks without authorization. So it's the same old complaint the rest of the world's been dealing with, only the zeal of the methodology seems to have been turned up to 11. It'll be interesting to see if this raid uncovers anything more salacious than what we already know; we'll keep you posted if it does.

[Thanks, D. Kim]

Google's South Korean offices raided by police as part of Street View investigation originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 10 Aug 2010 06:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>googleGoogle Koreagoogle street viewGoogleKoreaGoogleStreetViewinvestigationkorealawlegallegalityofficespoliceproberaidsearchseoulsnoopingsouth koreaSouthKoreastreet viewStreetViewwifiTue, 10 Aug 2010 06:40:00 EST<![CDATA[SanDisk's 1GB WORM SD card stores evidence longer than your prison sentence (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/23/sandisks-1gb-worm-sd-card-stores-forensic-images-longer-than-yo/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/23/sandisks-1gb-worm-sd-card-stores-forensic-images-longer-than-yo/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/23/sandisks-1gb-worm-sd-card-stores-forensic-images-longer-than-yo/#comments You can think of SanDisk's latest WORM SD card like a mini time capsule... for criminals. As the name implies, these write-once-read-many cards are tamperproof slivers of flash storage that can only be written to once by an SD WORM-compatible device like, say, those security cameras, witness voice recorders, and photo cameras used by the police. SanDisk claims that the data will still be readable after 100 years, long after you and your crimes have been forgotten. Why the fuss after not hearing about SanDisk's SD WORM ambitions since 2008? Well, Sandisk just announced that Japan's police force will use the SanDisk SD WORM card "as the storage media of choice for tamper-proof forensic image archiving." We suspect that the Yakuza will be getting right on that "tamper-proof" claim just as soon as they finish viewing the video embedded after the break.

Continue reading SanDisk's 1GB WORM SD card stores evidence longer than your prison sentence (video)

SanDisk's 1GB WORM SD card stores evidence longer than your prison sentence (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 Jun 2010 04:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1gbevidenceflashflash storageFlashStorageforensicjapanmemorynandpolicesandisksdsd cardsd wormSdCardSdWormstoragevideowormWed, 23 Jun 2010 04:34:00 EST<![CDATA[AT&T hacker's home raided, drugs found, dude detained (update)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/16/atandt-hackers-home-raided-drugs-found-dude-detained/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/16/atandt-hackers-home-raided-drugs-found-dude-detained/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/16/atandt-hackers-home-raided-drugs-found-dude-detained/#comments Man, one day you have the whole world's ear to talk about slack network security, and the next you're in the joint. Andrew Auernheimer, Goatse Security's hacker-in-chief and a key player in the unearthing of a major security flaw exposing iPads surfing AT&T's airwaves, is today facing felony charges for possession of a variety of potent drugs. That wouldn't be such intriguing news by itself, but the discovery was made by local law enforcers who were in the process of executing an FBI search warrant. Hey, wasn't the FBI going to look into this security breach? Yes indeedy. While nobody is yet willing to identify the reasons behind this warrant, it's not illogical to surmise that Andrew's crew and their online exploits were the cause for the raid. So there you have it folks, it's the first bit of advice any publicist will give you: if you're gonna step out into the glaring light of public life, you'd better clean out your closet first.

Update: Before y'all get in an uproar about "white hacker this" and "Police State that," let's keep in mind that this Andrew Auernheimer character (a.k.a. "Weev") is one unsavory dude (not to mention a raving anti-Semite): check out this New York Times piece on Internet Trolls if you don't believe us. After all, it's not really a stretch that law enforcement might be after someone who's in possession of ecstasy, cocaine, LSD, and various other pharmaceuticals.

AT&T hacker's home raided, drugs found, dude detained (update) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 16 Jun 2010 06:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>andrew auernheimerAndrewAuernheimerarrestarrestedcocainedrug chargesDrugChargesdrugsecstasyfbifunnygoatsegoatse securityGoatseSecurityhackhackerhackinghome raidHomeRaidinvestigationlawlegalpoliceraidsecuritywarrantWed, 16 Jun 2010 06:34:00 EST<![CDATA[Police investigating lost iPhone prototype raid Gizmodo editor's home]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/26/police-investigating-lost-iphone-prototype-raid-gizmodo-editors/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/26/police-investigating-lost-iphone-prototype-raid-gizmodo-editors/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/26/police-investigating-lost-iphone-prototype-raid-gizmodo-editors/#comments The backstory of the lost fourth-gen iPhone prototype acquired by Gizmodo last week is certainly already the stuff of some legend, but hold on tight, because it just got even wilder: Giz editor Jason Chen's house was apparently raided by California's REACT computer crimes task force under the authority of a search warrant on Friday night and his computers and several other items were seized. That means a criminal investigation led by the San Mateo police and district attorney is almost certainly in full swing, which is, well, crazy. As you know, we published images of the iPhone prototype last Saturday, so we're tracking this story as closely as we know all of you are. For now hang tight and we'll share more info as we get it.

Update: TechCrunch reports that the investigation is on hold for now following claims by Gawker that Chen should be protected under California's Shield Laws, meant to help protect journalists from revealing sources. The District Attorney will reportedly reevaluate whether those laws do apply, and as such will not go through the seized possessions until a decision's been reached in the coming days.

Police investigating lost iPhone prototype raid Gizmodo editor's home originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 26 Apr 2010 17:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applebreaking newsBreakingNewscrimegizmodoinvestigationiphoneiphone 4iphone 4gIphone4Iphone4gpolicereactMon, 26 Apr 2010 17:23:00 EST<![CDATA[AT&T redirecting 911 calls from Salt Lake City to Seattle, working on a fix (update: fix is in)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/26/atandt-redirecting-911-calls-from-salt-lake-city-to-seattle-worki/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/26/atandt-redirecting-911-calls-from-salt-lake-city-to-seattle-worki/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/26/atandt-redirecting-911-calls-from-salt-lake-city-to-seattle-worki/#comments Ready for a surreal way to start your day? Salt Lake City's KSL News has a report out this morning detailing the baffling experience of AT&T subscribers trying to access emergency services in the city. Instead of being routed through to their local dispatcher, the urgent calls somehow found their way to Seattle's 911 response center. Brought to the news team's attention by one Tony Sams, this issue was originally thought to originate in his iPhone's GPS system, as he was being identified as being located in the Seattle area, but then his local police also tried dialing their own number only to find themselves chatting it up with their Emerald City colleagues. Until they figure this out, we'd recommend using your landlines -- if you still have one of those antiques -- or just yelling at passersby for help. Hit the source for the full video report and the 10-digit direct number for Salt Lake City general dispatch.

Update: AT&T has been very nippy in getting this routing problem sorted out, and proper service has been restored. The company is now investigating the cause of this problemo.

[Thanks, Ryan]

AT&T redirecting 911 calls from Salt Lake City to Seattle, working on a fix (update: fix is in) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 26 Mar 2010 05:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>911attcallsemergencyemergency callingemergency callsemergency servicesEmergencyCallingEmergencyCallsEmergencyServicesksl newsKslNewspoliceredirectredirectedsalt lake citySaltLakeCityseattlesurrealweirdFri, 26 Mar 2010 05:23:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple, Siemens and Sisvel patent infringement leads to CeBIT booth raid]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/07/apple-siemens-and-sisvel-patent-infringement-leads-to-cebit-boo/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/07/apple-siemens-and-sisvel-patent-infringement-leads-to-cebit-boo/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/07/apple-siemens-and-sisvel-patent-infringement-leads-to-cebit-boo/#comments
 Mama always said that some folks just never learn, and we reckon there's plenty of wisdom to be had from that very statement. Year after year, German police are called in to raid select booths at CeBIT (and IFA, to be fair), and yet again we've seen a booth cleared out at the request of powerful lawyers from a few companies you may have heard of. Word on the street has it that Apple, Siemens and Sisvel were all kvetching over patent infringements made by an unnamed company exhibiting at last week's show, and within an hour or so of the fuzz showing up, the whole thing was stripped and a hefty fine (€10,000) was levied. Unfortunately, the exact details of who was violating what remains clouded in mystery, but for whatever reason, we get the feeling that something extremely similar will be going down in Hannover next year. We blame KIRFers determination.

Updated: Turns out one of our editors at CeBIT saw this whole situation go down at the FirstView booth. Within minutes the entire booth was surrounded by the Polizei, and though we tried to dig further on the situation our inability to speak German caused some communication issues so we decided it best to move on to the next craptablet on the floor. We will, however, always have the shot above to remember the confusing experience.

[Thanks, TheLostSwede]

Apple, Siemens and Sisvel patent infringement leads to CeBIT booth raid originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 07 Mar 2010 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Applecebitcebit 2010Cebit2010conflictcrackdownfakegermangermanyillegalissuekirfknockofflegalpatentpatent infringementPatentInfringementpoliceproblemraidripoffSiemensSisvelSun, 07 Mar 2010 14:02:00 EST<![CDATA[UK police drone grounded for flying without a license]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/16/uk-police-drone-grounded-for-flying-without-a-license/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/16/uk-police-drone-grounded-for-flying-without-a-license/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/16/uk-police-drone-grounded-for-flying-without-a-license/#comments
As you know, the Merseyside (UK) police department finally nabbed a suspect with its £40,000 (roughly $63,000) drone recently -- an announcement that was accompanied by backslapping and hearty cheers all around. But what happens when the police run afoul of the law? According to the BBC, the vehicle has been grounded by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) under guidelines enacted in January stating that UAVs weighing over fifteen pounds need permission to fly within 164 feet of people and 492 feet of buildings. A spokesman for the coppers said "all Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) flights have been suspended and will remain so until the appropriate license has been granted," but don't worry Britons: you should still be able to rest easily at night knowing that you're still the most surveillance-happy nation in the history of the world. Cheerio!

[Thanks, Gringomoses and Ben]

UK police drone grounded for flying without a license originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 16 Feb 2010 10:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>big brotherBigBrotherbritaindronedroneslaw enforcementLawEnforcementMerseysidepolicerobotsurveillanceuavukunmanned aerial vehicleUnmannedAerialVehicleTue, 16 Feb 2010 10:26:00 EST<![CDATA[UK police nab teen using $30,500 drone]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/15/uk-police-nab-teen-with-30-500-drone/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/15/uk-police-nab-teen-with-30-500-drone/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/15/uk-police-nab-teen-with-30-500-drone/#comments
Wired recently reported that the UK Home Office is preparing a national fleet of unmanned aircraft, but the surveillance-loving island nation has had a keen interest in drones for quite a while. Now, Merseyside police (who've had a drone of their own for about six months) are bragging about their first ever catch with the new toy. When coppers heard that a suspected car thief was hiding in the bushes, they wasted no time launching their Unmanned Aerial Vehicle with on-board thermal imaging -- which led them to the sixteen year old. In addition to the (alleged) perp, a twenty year old man was arrested in connection with the crime -- but his apprehension was done without aid of the UAV and, as such, not nearly as bad-ass. Both have been released on bail pending further inquiries, and both are believed to be looking into purchasing Parrot AR.Drones for themselves. You gotta fight fire with fire, right?

Update: According to the BBC, the thing cost closer to £40,000 (roughly $63,000). That's still a lot of moneys!

Filed under:

UK police nab teen using $30,500 drone originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 15 Feb 2010 03:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arrestbritaindronedroneslaw enforcementLawEnforcementMerseysidepolicerobotuavukunmanned aerial vehicleUnmannedAerialVehicleMon, 15 Feb 2010 03:37:00 EST