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[Google Wallet gets prepaid security fix, but 'brute-force' issue still hangs in the air]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/15/google-wallet-gets-prepaid-security-fix/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/15/google-wallet-gets-prepaid-security-fix/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/15/google-wallet-gets-prepaid-security-fix/#comments Google says it's fixed a Wallet security flaw that potentially allowed a phone thief to spend a user's prepaid balance. The ability to provision new prepaid cards had been suspended pending the update, but has now been restored. Things aren't quite back to normal in the Big G's world of mobile money, however. Users still find themselves caught between two competing arguments over an entirely different vulnerability, which involves a 'brute-force' attack on rooted devices. Google insists that this isn't a major concern, so long as Wallet users refrain from rooting, and that the system still "offers advantages over the plastic cards and folded wallets in use today." On the other hand, the company that discovered this issue -- zvelo -- has come back at Google with an equally blunt response. It acknowledges that a handset must be rooted to be vulnerable, but crucially its researchers also say that a device doesn't have to be rooted before it's stolen. In other words, they allege that a savvy thief can potentially steal a phone and then root it themselves, and they won't be happy with Wallet until it requires longer PIN number. Whichever argument sways you, it's worth bearing in mind that there's no evidence that anyone has yet managed to exploit these weaknesses for criminal purposes.

Google Wallet gets prepaid security fix, but 'brute-force' issue still hangs in the air originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Feb 2012 03:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accountAndroidbankbrute forceBruteForcecashecommerceelectronic paymentsElectronicPaymentsexposedfinancialflawfraudgalaxy nexusGalaxyNexusgooglegoogle walletGoogleWallethackhackerhexidentity theftIdentityTheftmobilepostcrossmoneynfcpinSciTechsecuritytheftthiefvideovulnerabilitywalletzveloWed, 15 Feb 2012 03:55:00 EST<![CDATA[StayLocked prototype renders your stolen bike unusable, won't buy you another]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/13/staylocked-prototype-renders-your-stolen-bike-unusable-wont-bu/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/13/staylocked-prototype-renders-your-stolen-bike-unusable-wont-bu/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/13/staylocked-prototype-renders-your-stolen-bike-unusable-wont-bu/#comments
If you can't ride your stolen bike, neither should anyone else. That's the basic premise behind StayLocked Bicycle -- a prototype that effectively self-destructs whenever someone tries to snatch it. The magic lies in the bike's integrated locking mechanism, which is built in to a pair of tubes extending from the back wheel to the seat. Riders can attach the swiveling lock to any fixed post, but if someone successfully breaks it, the bike's chain stays will no longer support his or her weight, rendering the prototype virtually useless, and the thief utterly embarrassed. Of course, this system won't deter criminals from stealing a cycle for its parts, and it's certainly not as ideal a solution as, say, actually getting your bike back. But at least you'd feel better knowing that whoever swiped your ride probably looked ridiculous while doing so.

StayLocked prototype renders your stolen bike unusable, won't buy you another originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 13 Sep 2011 10:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bicyclebikebike lockBikeLockchain stayChainStaycrimecriminalcyclecyclinglockprototypeseat staySeatStaysecuritystaylockedstaylocked bicycleStaylockedBicycletheftthiefTue, 13 Sep 2011 10:54:00 EST<![CDATA[Stolen Camera Finder promises to find your camera with EXIF data, probably won't]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/03/stolen-camera-finder-promises-to-find-your-camera-with-exif-data/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/03/stolen-camera-finder-promises-to-find-your-camera-with-exif-data/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/03/stolen-camera-finder-promises-to-find-your-camera-with-exif-data/#comments Stolen Camera Finder is a site that promises to find missing cameras, as long as they've been stolen by cooperative criminals. All you have to do is drag and drop a JPG photo taken with your lost camera, and Stolen Camera Finder will hunt for any matches on the web, using the image's EXIF data. To find matches, the site consults a database of photos posted on Flickr and elsewhere, though, without only one million images to its name, this database is still very much a work-in-progress (the tests we conducted came up dry). It's a nifty idea, but one that would probably pay dividends only under certain circumstances. For instance, the thief would have to take pictures with the camera (rather than selling it) and post the images online without wiping the EXIF data. In other words, he'd have to be someone willing to steal a camera purely for the sake of sharing undoctored self-shots on Flickr. We're not sure those people exist.

Stolen Camera Finder promises to find your camera with EXIF data, probably won't originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 May 2011 10:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crimedatadatabaseEXIFflickrimagesJPGphotosphotoshopsitestolenstolen camerastolen camera finderStolenCameraStolenCameraFinderthiefwebsiteTue, 03 May 2011 10:40:00 EST<![CDATA[That hotel towel you're stealing might have an RFID chip in it]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/20/that-hotel-towel-youre-stealing-might-have-an-rfid-chip-in-it/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/20/that-hotel-towel-youre-stealing-might-have-an-rfid-chip-in-it/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/20/that-hotel-towel-youre-stealing-might-have-an-rfid-chip-in-it/#comments
 For many travelers, stealing hotel towels or bathrobes is more pastime than petty crime. Hotels, on the other hand, apparently take it more seriously. So seriously, in fact, that some have begun embedding specially crafted RFID tags within their linens, just to help us avoid "accidentally" stuffing them in our suitcases before heading to the check-out desk. The chips, designed by Miami-based Linen Technology Tracking, can be sewn directly into towels, bathrobes or bed sheets, and can reportedly withstand up to 300 wash cycles. If a tagged item ever leaves a hotel's premises, the RFID chip will trip an alarm that will instantly alert the staff, and comprehensively humiliate the guilty party. The system has already paid dividends for one Honolulu hotel, which claims to have saved about $15,000 worth of linens since adopting the system last summer. But small-time crooks needn't get too paranoid. In addition to the hotel in Hawaii, only two other establishments have begun tagging their towels -- one in Manhattan, and one in Miami. All three, however, have chosen to remain anonymous, so swipe at your own (minimal) risk.

That hotel towel you're stealing might have an RFID chip in it originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 20 Apr 2011 07:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alarmanti theftanti-theftAntiTheftbedchipchipscrimeguestshonoluluhotellinenlinen technologylinen technology trackingLinensLinenTechnologyLinenTechnologyTrackingmiamimoneynew yorkNewYorkrfidrobessecuritytagtheftthieftourismtoweltravelWed, 20 Apr 2011 07:44:00 EST<![CDATA[Hacker nets two years in jail after pilfering £7 million in virtual poker chips]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/23/hacker-nets-two-years-in-jail-after-pilfering-7-million-in-virt/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/23/hacker-nets-two-years-in-jail-after-pilfering-7-million-in-virt/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/23/hacker-nets-two-years-in-jail-after-pilfering-7-million-in-virt/#comments Crime, it just doesn't pay. Well, actually it does, to the tune of £53,612, but then you get caught and you have to work off that salary with two years at Her Majesty's pleasure. One Ashley Mitchell, an enterprising 29-year old from Devon, England, managed to break into Farmville maker Zynga's mainframe, hijack the identities of two of its staffers, and procure for himself a cool £7 million ($11.4m) in virtual poker chips. He then proceeded to sell about a third of them for the above sum, while consuming a big chunk of the rest in satisfying his own gambling habit. Ashley already had a history of digital malfeasance, having previously hacked into the systems of Torbay Council, his former employer, and is now on the receiving end of a two-year prison term for his current crime plus the activation of a 30-week suspended sentence. There's a warning in this tale of woe for us all, however -- Monsieur Mitchell piggybacked on his neighbors' unsecured WiFi networks in order to do his dastardly deeds. Slap a password on that router, won't you?

Hacker nets two years in jail after pilfering £7 million in virtual poker chips originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 Mar 2011 08:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cashcrimecriminalgamblinggaminghackhackerhackinginternetjaillawlegalmainframemoneyonlineonline pokerOnlinePokerpokerprisonsafetyscamsecuritysentencesentencedstealingtheftthiefukunited kingdomUnitedKingdomwebzyngaWed, 23 Mar 2011 08:09:00 EST<![CDATA[In Sweden, laptop thieves return your data on a USB stick]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/19/in-sweden-laptop-thieves-return-your-data-on-a-usb-stick/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/19/in-sweden-laptop-thieves-return-your-data-on-a-usb-stick/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/19/in-sweden-laptop-thieves-return-your-data-on-a-usb-stick/#comments Thieves, as it turns out, can be very considerate people indeed. A Swedish professor, who has understandably asked to remain anonymous, informed his local newspaper recently of a tale informing his laptop bag, a trip to the laundry room, and one very gentlemanly law breaker. As the story goes, the scholar in question hid his backpack under a stairwell while taking care of some chores, only to find it vanished a few minutes later. After reporting the incident to the police, however, our professor returned to the scene of the crime to find his goods had returned, sans his laptop. Content with at least having his precious calendar and papers back, he carried on with his undoubtedly thrilling academic life, but there was one more twist to his tale -- the thief mailed him a USB memory stick with all his data on it. Ironically enough, the USB key was one the prof had lying around inside his bag already, and the thief did what the owner never bothered to: back up all data on a separate drive. It's a surreal (and potentially fictitious) tale, but it made us smile to read it all the same.

In Sweden, laptop thieves return your data on a USB stick originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Oct 2010 10:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>backupclassycrimecriminaldatainformationlaptoplawlegalstealingstolenswedentheftthiefTue, 19 Oct 2010 10:27:00 EST<![CDATA[Thieves snag iPad from buyer, yank a finger off while they're at it]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/20/thieves-snag-ipad-from-buyer-yank-a-finger-off-while-theyre-at/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/20/thieves-snag-ipad-from-buyer-yank-a-finger-off-while-theyre-at/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/20/thieves-snag-ipad-from-buyer-yank-a-finger-off-while-theyre-at/#comments We'll be honest with you -- it literally pains us to write this. If you're the queasy type, we'd probably suggest scrolling on down and continuing about your day. For the hardcore still with us, the story goes a little something like this: a Denver-area man headed out to his local Apple store to pick up an iPad for a colleague (read: not even for himself), and in an interview, he admits to not even really understanding the fascination with Apple's new product. After doing his good deed and plopping down the plastic, he casually curled the strings atop the Apple bag around his hand as he headed for the exits. Unfortunately, a pair of thugs met him along the way, yanking the bag, the iPad and all of the flesh surrounding his pinky finger as they bolted for a getaway. Currently, police are investigating surveillance footage in hopes of tracking down the crooks who pulled off the stunt... and, uh, a bit more than they likely bargained for. Video after the break if you've still got the stomach.

[Thanks, Chris]

Continue reading Thieves snag iPad from buyer, yank a finger off while they're at it

Thieves snag iPad from buyer, yank a finger off while they're at it originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 20 Apr 2010 11:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleapple ipadAppleIpadcoloradocrimecriminaldenveripadipad theftIpadTheftiphone osIphoneOslarcenyoddslatetablettablet pcTabletPctheftthiefvideoweirdTue, 20 Apr 2010 11:17:00 EST<![CDATA[Walmart shopper takes a bat to 29 TVs, lobbies to join Braves' spring training squad]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/11/walmart-shopper-takes-a-bat-to-29-tvs-lobbies-to-join-braves-s/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/11/walmart-shopper-takes-a-bat-to-29-tvs-lobbies-to-join-braves-s/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/11/walmart-shopper-takes-a-bat-to-29-tvs-lobbies-to-join-braves-s/#comments Look, we've all had rough days. Ones that we wish never even happened, in fact. But we've yet to be pushed to the brink where the only logical solution to blow off steam would be to take an aluminum baseball bat to nearly three dozen TVs that weren't ours. For whatever reason (the accused is pleading the Fifth), Westley Strellis waltzed into a Walmart just outside of Atlanta yesterday, where he proceeded to lift a bat from the sporting goods section and then demolish the screens of 29 televisions in the electronics department. Shortly after, he submitted to a pair of handcuffs and 29 counts of criminal damage to property in the second degree, and if the initial tallies are correct, he somehow managed to mar over $22,000 worth of goods. Chin up, Mr. Strellis -- maybe you'll end up in a cell next to this brainiac.

P.S. - Store footage of the rampage is after the break.

Continue reading Walmart shopper takes a bat to 29 TVs, lobbies to join Braves' spring training squad

Walmart shopper takes a bat to 29 TVs, lobbies to join Braves' spring training squad originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Feb 2010 18:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>comedycrimecriminalcrookfunnysmashtheftthieftvvideowal-martwalmartThu, 11 Feb 2010 18:26:00 EST<![CDATA[Maplock chains GPS unit to steering wheel, dares thieves to interfere]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/08/maplock-chains-gps-unit-to-steering-wheel-dares-thieves-to-inte/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/08/maplock-chains-gps-unit-to-steering-wheel-dares-thieves-to-inte/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/08/maplock-chains-gps-unit-to-steering-wheel-dares-thieves-to-inte/#comments Remember The Club? Sure you do. We can't say that Who-Rae's Maplock is destined to become just as goofy in the pop culture scene, but it's certainly one of the more absurd peripherals that we've seen this year. Put simply, this contraption provides a locking mount for your navigation unit and a presumably snip-proof cable that locks around one's steering wheel. We suppose the point here is to easily show pondering thieves that they should probably select another vehicle to jack, but the easier solution is to figure out a mounting setup that doesn't involve suction cup residue. For those who'd rather be safe than sorry, the Maplock can be procured for right around $50 -- just be prepared for all sorts of jeering from your car club mates. Vid's after the break, vaquero.

Maplock chains GPS unit to steering wheel, dares thieves to interfere originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 08 Dec 2009 02:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gpslarcenylockMaplocknavnavinavigationsecuritystealstealingstolentheftthiefthieveswho-raeTue, 08 Dec 2009 02:44:00 EST<![CDATA[Lenovo's Lost & Found looks to guilt trip thieves into returning your ThinkPad]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/30/lenovos-lost-and-found-looks-to-guilt-trip-thieves-into-returning/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/30/lenovos-lost-and-found-looks-to-guilt-trip-thieves-into-returning/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/30/lenovos-lost-and-found-looks-to-guilt-trip-thieves-into-returning/#commentsSo, a little situation for you. You leave your ThinkPad in the third row of waiting seats at Jackson Hole Airport, already distraught that you're departing Winter Wonderland and heading back to reality. A kindhearted Wyomian happens upon it, and clearly recognizes that he / she should figure out a way to return it. If you're signed up for the gratis Lost & Found service (which does require a subscription to Absolute Computrace), the finder will spot a 1-800 number on the outside of the ThinkPad or on the display as it's powered on. From there, he / she simply dials the aforementioned number, waits for the free pre-paid box to arrive, ships it off to Lenovo (to protect your address, naturally) and basks in the satisfaction of knowing that Lenovo will handle the shipping to you. Sound good? Great -- it's now available on all ThinkPads enabled with Absolute Software's Computrace. Phew!

Continue reading Lenovo's Lost & Found looks to guilt trip thieves into returning your ThinkPad

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Lenovo's Lost & Found looks to guilt trip thieves into returning your ThinkPad originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 19:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>lenovolost and foundLostAndFoundservicestolentheftthiefthinkpadtrackingWed, 30 Sep 2009 19:36:00 EST<![CDATA[Video: crooks clean out New Jersey Apple store in 31 impressive seconds]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/03/video-crooks-clean-out-new-jersey-apple-store-in-31-impressive/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/03/video-crooks-clean-out-new-jersey-apple-store-in-31-impressive/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/03/video-crooks-clean-out-new-jersey-apple-store-in-31-impressive/#comments
And you thought making off with 39 iPods in 15 seconds was something to behold. After studying said crooks in Utah, a trained team of larcenists headed over to Apple's Sagemore location in Marlton, New Jersey in order to one-up the duo by snagging even more goods in under a minute. As the surveillance shows, a single blunt object decimated the iconic glass doorway and enabled five hyped-up thieves to enter, snag 23 MacBook Pros, 14 iPhones and 9 iPod touches, and head for the hills -- all in just 31 seconds. Look, we aren't trying to glamorize crime or anything, but this is the stuff GTA heists are made of. Head on past the break for a look at the video, and please, don't try to replicate this at your nearest Apple store (without wearing a head-mounted camcorder and hooking us up with the footage, of course).

[Via TUAW, thanks Mike]

Continue reading Video: crooks clean out New Jersey Apple store in 31 impressive seconds

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Video: crooks clean out New Jersey Apple store in 31 impressive seconds originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 03 Sep 2009 01:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>abcapplecrimeiphoneiphone 3gIphone3gipodipod touchIpodTouchlarcenylegalmacbookmacbook proMacbookPrombpstealingstolentheftthiefThu, 03 Sep 2009 01:55:00 EST<![CDATA[ASUS equips P30 and P80 laptops with Intel's Anti-Theft Technology]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/11/asus-equips-p30-and-p80-laptops-with-intels-anti-theft-technolo/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/11/asus-equips-p30-and-p80-laptops-with-intels-anti-theft-technolo/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/11/asus-equips-p30-and-p80-laptops-with-intels-anti-theft-technolo/#commentsRemember Intel's Anti-Theft Technology that debuted around this time last year? You know, that wicked cool invention that you've heard absolutely nothing about ever since? Evidently it's still alive and kickin', as ASUS has just announced that two of its lappies will come loaded with it. The P30 and P80 will both arrive with the so-called theft deterrent system, enabling owners to send a "poison pill" (it's words, not ours) remotely, rendering their computer inoperable by "comprehensively shutting it down." If you manage to reacquire it in one piece, a passphrase can be inputted in order to reactivate things. Still, we have to wonder how this will really detract thieves from snapping up unattended machines -- we mean, do they really stop to check out the anti-theft software before wheeling away with your rig? We're guessing not.

[Via HotHardware]

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ASUS equips P30 and P80 laptops with Intel's Anti-Theft Technology originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 11 Apr 2009 18:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Anti-Theftasusintelintel Anti-Theft technologyIntelAnti-theftTechnologylaptopP30P80stealstealingtheftthiefSat, 11 Apr 2009 18:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Car stereo thieves looking elsewhere to make those ends]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/25/car-stereo-thieves-looking-elsewhere-to-make-those-ends/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/25/car-stereo-thieves-looking-elsewhere-to-make-those-ends/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/25/car-stereo-thieves-looking-elsewhere-to-make-those-ends/#comments
At least one in five Engadget staffers can attest: car stereo crime was all the rage in the 1990s, and needless to say, we were all on the losing end of the deal. These days, however, larceny cases involving in-dash head units has dropped dramatically, and we've generally got no one but the auto makers to thank. Back in the day, factory stereos were downright laughable, and considering that most 1- and 2-DIN aftermarket decks could be installed in almost any car, the street value for those puppies was pretty high. Now, it's tough to find a vehicle without a marginally decent player already in it, which has led to a 50 percent decline in reported car stereo thefts over the past 15 years. If we had a gun to our head, we'd guess these folks have all moved on to swiping iPods.

[Via Fark, image courtesy of Notla]

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Car stereo thieves looking elsewhere to make those ends originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 25 Mar 2009 07:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audioin-carin-car audioin-car entertainmentIn-carAudioIn-carEntertainmentlarcenyportable audioportableaudiostealingstolentheftthiefthievesWed, 25 Mar 2009 07:41:00 EST<![CDATA[Scammer shuffles Apple out of 9,000 iPods]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/22/scammer-shuffles-apple-out-of-9-000-ipods/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/22/scammer-shuffles-apple-out-of-9-000-ipods/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/22/scammer-shuffles-apple-out-of-9-000-ipods/#comments
For whatever reason, Apple's iPod ends up in the middle of quite a few crimes. The latest story, however, is even more extreme than usual. Nicholas Arthur Woodhams, a 23 year old from Kalamazoo, Michigan, was recently slapped upside the gord with federal charges of fraud and money laundering after he managed to con Apple into shipping him around 9,000 iPod shuffles. As the story goes, he managed to somehow correctly guess thousands of valid shuffle serial numbers and have replacements shipped to him; once they arrived, he sold them for less than MSRP to excited buyers, all while giving Apple a prepaid VISA number that would reject the charges after he failed to send back the nonexistent "original" shuffle. It's rather amazing to us that he was able to pull this off for so long without being noticed, but even if it works for awhile, we've learned yet again that crime doesn't pay. In fact, the feds have already seized a half million bucks from one brokerage account, some real estate and a trio of vehicles. Tragic, yeah?

[Via Macworld, thanks Steve]

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Scammer shuffles Apple out of 9,000 iPods originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 22 Mar 2009 03:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applecrimecriminalipodipod shuffleIpodShufflelarcenyportable audioportableaudioshufflestealstealingstolenthiefthievesSun, 22 Mar 2009 03:36:00 EST<![CDATA[Blu-ray Disc theft becoming an issue, some retailers taking action]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/22/blu-ray-disc-theft-becoming-an-issue-some-retailers-taking-acti/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/22/blu-ray-disc-theft-becoming-an-issue-some-retailers-taking-acti/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/22/blu-ray-disc-theft-becoming-an-issue-some-retailers-taking-acti/#comments
If the shrink -- that measure of lost sales that typically go unaccounted for -- gets to growing at a faster pace than sales, you just might have a problem on your hands. According to Mark Fisher, EMA VP of strategic initiatives, that's exactly what's happening in some retail locations, though he does point out that having to tackle a theft issue is, at least in some way, a sign of heightened demand. Undisclosed sources have indicated that some retailers are facing Blu-ray theft rates in the double-digits, compared to around 1.5% for standard DVDs. EMA is already evaluating one possible solution from Aequitas Innovation, which places an RFID lock within the package that can only be unlocked upon being scanned at the register. In theory, at least, the theft deterrent should only add around $0.20 per unit, but whether or not this is more convenient than one of those "keeper cases" is totally up for debate.

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Blu-ray Disc theft becoming an issue, some retailers taking action originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Jan 2009 15:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Aequitasbdblu-rayEMAhdretailstealstealingstolentargettheftthiefThu, 22 Jan 2009 15:53:00 EST<![CDATA[Larcenists get a cheap Blu-ray player (the illegal way)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/larcenists-get-a-cheap-blu-ray-player-the-illegal-way/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/larcenists-get-a-cheap-blu-ray-player-the-illegal-way/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/larcenists-get-a-cheap-blu-ray-player-the-illegal-way/#comments
Can't wait for Black Friday? Neither could two suspects in Virginia Beach. Reportedly, a crafty duo entered a local Walmart late last week, with one placing a Samsung Blu-ray player in her cart while the other placed a DVD / VCR combo unit in his cart. Once that was complete, the two met in the pet section, swapped the unwanted DVD / VCR unit out for a Blu-ray deck and proceeded to checkout. The cute couple paid for dog food and a rather inexpensive DVD / VCR player, yet arrived home with dog food and an improperly boxed Blu-ray player. Moral of the story? Blu-ray adoption would clearly soar if manufacturers would just price the players right. (We kid, we kid.)

[Via CDFreaks]

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Larcenists get a cheap Blu-ray player (the illegal way) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 03 Nov 2008 12:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blu rayblu-raybluraycomedycopsfunnyhdillegalother formatsotherformatspolicesamsungscamstealstealingstolentheftthiefVCRVHSwal-martwalmartMon, 03 Nov 2008 12:17:00 EST<![CDATA[Burglars break into restaurant, steal HDTV, leave money / food behind]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/29/burglars-break-into-restaurant-steal-hdtv-leave-money-food-b/http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/29/burglars-break-into-restaurant-steal-hdtv-leave-money-food-b/http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/29/burglars-break-into-restaurant-steal-hdtv-leave-money-food-b/#commentsNot that we'd have any expert knowledge in the wide world of theft, but this just doesn't seem like the best way to go about snagging a new HDTV. At any rate, an undisclosed amount of thieves reportedly drove a truck (or large SUV... it was dark outside, okay?) into the front door of Los Tres Amigos restaurant in a small Pennsylvania town, broke the glass, ganked a 47-inch Insignia HDTV and "fled the scene." For starters, you'd risk prison for an Insignia? Really? Second, with LCD prices tanking like never before, don't you think you could've waited until Black Friday to get yourself a steal? Sigh.

[Image courtesy of Hotel Interactive]

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Burglars break into restaurant, steal HDTV, leave money / food behind originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Oct 2008 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>comedycrimecriminalfunnyhdPennsylvaniarobberystealstealingstolentheftthiefWed, 29 Oct 2008 16:02:00 EST<![CDATA[TV pirate gets 14 months in federal slammer for rebroadcasting DISH Network material]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/21/tv-pirate-gets-14-months-in-federal-slammer-for-rebroadcasting-d/http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/21/tv-pirate-gets-14-months-in-federal-slammer-for-rebroadcasting-d/http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/21/tv-pirate-gets-14-months-in-federal-slammer-for-rebroadcasting-d/#commentsIf you really needed proof that the statement "crime doesn't pay" had at least a semblance of truth behind it, here's your sign. Known satellite TV pirate Glenn White has been sentenced to a 14 month stint in federal prison after pleading guilty to illegally rebroadcasting DISH Network's programming. As the story goes, Mr. White was doing business in Wagram, North Carolina under the name Wagram Cable, but rather than distributing material in a legal manner, he chose to crack DISH's encryption and then monetize it. Big mistake. Oh, and DISH Network actually put this out on a press release in order to let the public know it "will continue to fight those who aid or participate in illegally breaking into encrypted DISH Network TV channels and set-top boxes." Don't say it didn't warn you.

[Image courtesy of FlatPanelTV]

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TV pirate gets 14 months in federal slammer for rebroadcasting DISH Network material originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 21 Oct 2008 22:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dishdish networkDishNetworkhdpirateprisonprogrammingsatellitestealstealingtheftthieftv pirateTvPirateTue, 21 Oct 2008 22:27:00 EST<![CDATA[FakeTV emulates human watching the tube, supposedly discourages thieves]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/21/faketv-emulates-human-watching-the-tube-supposedly-discourages/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/21/faketv-emulates-human-watching-the-tube-supposedly-discourages/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/21/faketv-emulates-human-watching-the-tube-supposedly-discourages/#comments
What else can we say? The concept here is pure genius, and it totally makes those pricey security systems seem way pointless (okay, slightly less critical). The FakeTV is a strobe that sets up in an occupied room at night and flashes up beams of light. From the inside, we can imagine it looks fairly curious, but from the outside, it gives prospective burglars the idea that someone is actually awake and watching a television program. It promises to produce the effects of "scene changes, fades, swells, flicks, on-screen motion and color changes," just like they were generated by a bona fide set. We can't speak for how well (or not) this thing actually works, but at just $49, we'd say it's a solid buy if you're the paranoid type.

[Via BoingBoing]

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FakeTV emulates human watching the tube, supposedly discourages thieves originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 21 May 2008 11:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>comedycrimefaketvfunnyhdhomelarcenylightother hardwareotherhardwareprotectionsafetysecuritytheftthieftvWed, 21 May 2008 11:41:00 EST<![CDATA[FakeTV emulates human watching the tube, supposedly discourages thieves]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/21/faketv-emulates-human-watching-the-tube-supposedly-discourages/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/21/faketv-emulates-human-watching-the-tube-supposedly-discourages/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/21/faketv-emulates-human-watching-the-tube-supposedly-discourages/#comments
What else can we say? The concept here is pure genius, and it totally makes those pricey security systems seem way pointless (okay, slightly less critical). The FakeTV is a strobe that sets up in an occupied room at night and flashes up beams of light. From the inside, we can imagine it looks fairly curious, but from the outside, it gives prospective burglars the idea that someone is actually awake and watching a television program. It promises to produce the effects of "scene changes, fades, swells, flicks, on-screen motion and color changes," just like they were generated by a bona fide set. We can't speak for how well (or not) this thing actually works, but at just $49, we'd say it's a solid buy if you're the paranoid type.

[Via BoingBoing]

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FakeTV emulates human watching the tube, supposedly discourages thieves originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 21 May 2008 11:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>comedycrimefaketvfunnyhomelarcenylightprotectionsafetysecuritytheftthieftvWed, 21 May 2008 11:41:00 EST<![CDATA[Mexican attaché attempts to make off with White House BlackBerrys]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/25/mexican-attache-attempts-to-make-off-with-white-house-blackberry/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/25/mexican-attache-attempts-to-make-off-with-white-house-blackberry/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/25/mexican-attache-attempts-to-make-off-with-white-house-blackberry/#comments
We're a bit frightened by the fact that high-ranking political officials are told to leave their BlackBerrys outside in an unguarded basket during high-level meetings (really, it's "common practice"), but nevertheless, one chap who tried to take advantage of the situation didn't quite make it out undiscovered. During a recent political meetup in New Orleans, a Mexican press attaché managed to slip a half dozen or so BlackBerrys into his pocket before darting to the airport with visions of black market markups in his head. Before he could exit the country, however, Secret Service had tracked him down after catching him via surveillance footage. As it stands, the responsible individual has been fired from his post, but there's been no word on whether the US will take any further actions. Reevaluating the whole "leaving them out in the open" practice may be a good start -- just sayin'.

[Via The Boy Genius Report]

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Mexican attaché attempts to make off with White House BlackBerrys originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 25 Apr 2008 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blackberryCulturelarcenyMexicomobilepoliticalpoliticsresearch in motionresearchinmotionrimstealstealingtheftthiefwhite houseWhiteHouseFri, 25 Apr 2008 08:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Mexican attaché attempts to make off with White House BlackBerrys]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/25/mexican-attache-attempts-to-make-off-with-white-house-blackberry/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/25/mexican-attache-attempts-to-make-off-with-white-house-blackberry/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/25/mexican-attache-attempts-to-make-off-with-white-house-blackberry/#comments
We're a bit frightened by the fact that high-ranking political officials are told to leave their BlackBerrys outside in an unguarded basket during high-level meetings (really, it's "common practice"), but nevertheless, one chap who tried to take advantage of the situation didn't quite make it out undiscovered. During a recent political meetup in New Orleans, a Mexican press attaché managed to slip a half dozen or so BlackBerrys into his pocket before darting to the airport with visions of black market markups in his head. Before he could exit the country, however, Secret Service had tracked him down after catching him via surveillance footage. As it stands, the responsible individual has been fired from his post, but there's been no word on whether the US will take any further actions. Reevaluating the whole "leaving them out in the open" practice may be a good start -- just sayin'.

[Via The Boy Genius Report]

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Mexican attaché attempts to make off with White House BlackBerrys originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 25 Apr 2008 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blackberrylarcenyMexicopoliticalpoliticsstealstealingtheftthiefwhite houseWhiteHouseFri, 25 Apr 2008 08:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Robber holds up bank, doesn't bother to get off his cellphone]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/17/robber-holds-up-bank-doesnt-bother-to-get-off-his-cellpho/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/17/robber-holds-up-bank-doesnt-bother-to-get-off-his-cellpho/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/17/robber-holds-up-bank-doesnt-bother-to-get-off-his-cellpho/#comments
Make no mistake, we've seen some fairly boneheaded moves made by technologically-illiterate bank robbers, but the latest case involves a fellow who was quite the opposite of that. Yes, the 20 to 25 year male who decided to hold up an Alabama bank the day before his taxes were due actually did the deed without hanging up his cellphone. And there's surveillance footage to prove it. Quite honestly, we can't imagine what the conversation here would've been like, but at least he made the most of whatever minutes he had remaining as a free man, right?

[Via textually]

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Robber holds up bank, doesn't bother to get off his cellphone originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Apr 2008 06:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bankbank robberbank robberyBankRobberBankRobberycrimecriminalCulturedumbmobilepolicerobberystupidtheftthiefweirdThu, 17 Apr 2008 06:14:00 EST<![CDATA[Robber holds up bank, doesn't bother to get off his cellphone]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/17/robber-holds-up-bank-doesnt-bother-to-get-off-his-cellpho/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/17/robber-holds-up-bank-doesnt-bother-to-get-off-his-cellpho/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/17/robber-holds-up-bank-doesnt-bother-to-get-off-his-cellpho/#comments
Make no mistake, we've seen some fairly boneheaded moves (even someone rocking this very same gaffe!) made by technologically-illiterate bank robbers, but the latest case involves a fellow who was quite the opposite of that. Yes, the 20 to 25 year male who decided to hold up an Alabama bank the day before his taxes were due actually did the deed without hanging up his cellphone. And there's surveillance footage to prove it. Quite honestly, we can't imagine what the conversation here would've been like, but at least he made the most of whatever minutes he had remaining as a free man, right?

[Via textually]

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Robber holds up bank, doesn't bother to get off his cellphone originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Apr 2008 06:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bankbank robberbank robberyBankRobberBankRobberycrimecriminaldumbpolicerobberystupidtheftthiefweirdThu, 17 Apr 2008 06:14:00 EST<![CDATA[Cancer patient has PSP stolen en route to chemotherapy treatment]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/30/cancer-patient-has-psp-stolen-en-route-to-chemotherapy-treatment/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/30/cancer-patient-has-psp-stolen-en-route-to-chemotherapy-treatment/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/30/cancer-patient-has-psp-stolen-en-route-to-chemotherapy-treatment/#commentsThere's depressing gaming stories, and then there are outright travesties. Unfortunately, this case falls squarely into the latter category, as a 7-year old cancer patient had his beloved PlayStation Portable swiped -- right along with his medical records, a backpack full of medication, his games and even his homework -- while en route to a chemotherapy treatment for a tumor in his brain. Apparently the boy's family had stopped at a restaurant while traveling from Oklahoma to Texas, and while inside, thieves had their way with what was left inside the vehicle. Thankfully, authorities from the Dallas police department came to the rescue by purchasing a brand new PSP and raising over $1,000 to repurchase the goods that were lost, and as for the crooks, we'll just trust karma to handle the rest.

[Via PSPFanboy, image courtesy of Flickr]

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Cancer patient has PSP stolen en route to chemotherapy treatment originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 30 Mar 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cancercrimelarcenypsppsp theftPspTheftstealstolentheftthiefSun, 30 Mar 2008 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Former LG employee leaks $1b in top secret plasma info to Chinese manufacturer]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/former-lg-employee-leaks-1b-in-top-secret-plasma-info-to-chines/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/former-lg-employee-leaks-1b-in-top-secret-plasma-info-to-chines/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/former-lg-employee-leaks-1b-in-top-secret-plasma-info-to-chines/#comments
We've seen some pretty shady dealings from disgruntled ex-employees in the past, but this one may have skyrocketed into the upper echelon of tales of corporate deceit. As the story goes, a 49-year old man known only as Jeong felt the need to copy over some 1,182 top secret plasma display technology-related files onto his personal drive before waltzing out of LG's doors for the final time in July of 2005. A few months later, Chinese manufacturer Changhong-Orion PDP-Chaihong welcomed him with open arms and paid him a fat salary of roughly $300,000 a year (not to mention a few perks: free apartment, vehicle etc.), while casually accepting both the aforementioned files and continued insider leaks at LG -- information supposedly valued at over a billion dollars. But despite Jeong's arrest upon his last return home to Korea, Changhong is still apparently on schedule to produce plasma panels based on LG's technology come this December. Can you say: hot water over international trade-secret law?

[Via The Raw Feed, image courtesy of RPG Classics]

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Former LG employee leaks $1b in top secret plasma info to Chinese manufacturer originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Mar 2008 20:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Changhong-Orion PDP-ChaihongChanghong-orionPdp-chaihongchinachineseespionagehdtviplgpdpplasmasouth koreaSouthKoreastealstolenstolen informationStolenInformationtheftthiefWed, 05 Mar 2008 20:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Former LG employee leaks $1b in top secret plasma info to Chinese manufacturer]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/former-lg-employee-leaks-1b-in-top-secret-plasma-info-to-chines/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/former-lg-employee-leaks-1b-in-top-secret-plasma-info-to-chines/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/former-lg-employee-leaks-1b-in-top-secret-plasma-info-to-chines/#comments
We've seen some pretty shady dealings from disgruntled ex-employees in the past, but this one may have skyrocketed into the upper echelon of tales of corporate deceit. As the story goes, a 49-year old man known only as Jeong felt the need to copy over some 1,182 top secret plasma display technology-related files onto his personal drive before waltzing out of LG's doors for the final time in July of 2005. A few months later, Chinese manufacturer Changhong-Orion PDP-Chaihong welcomed him with open arms and paid him a fat salary of roughly $300,000 a year (not to mention a few perks: free apartment, vehicle etc.), while casually accepting both the aforementioned files and continued insider leaks at LG -- information supposedly valued at over a billion dollars. But despite Jeong's arrest upon his last return home to Korea, Changhong is still apparently on schedule to produce plasma panels based on LG's technology come this December. Can you say: hot water over international trade-secret law?

[Via The Raw Feed, image courtesy of RPG Classics]

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Former LG employee leaks $1b in top secret plasma info to Chinese manufacturer originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Mar 2008 20:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Changhong-Orion PDP-ChaihongChanghong-orionPdp-chaihongchinachineseespionagehdiplgotherspdpplasmasouth koreaSouthKoreastealstolenstolen informationStolenInformationtheftthiefWed, 05 Mar 2008 20:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Xbox 360 returned, critical components not included]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/11/22/xbox-360-returned-critical-components-not-included/http://www.engadget.com/2007/11/22/xbox-360-returned-critical-components-not-included/http://www.engadget.com/2007/11/22/xbox-360-returned-critical-components-not-included/#comments
While we've certainly seen a few items get returned without, shall we say, everything in tact, this example just might take the cake. Details are fairly light, but the long and short of it is that some sly customer managed to return an Xbox 360 and get a full refund, but the most critical components weren't repackaged. Reportedly, the store decided to allow the refund just this once without thoroughly checking the innards, and sure enough, the decision came back to bite 'em. Packed within was a gutted console (stuffed with a used textbook, no less), a bunch of totally random cabling and an official Xbox 360 headset. Needless to say, the store got burned torched, but if the culprit received his / her refund as a credit card charge-back and / or was caught on camera, we've all ideas the retailer will get what it's owed one way or another.

[Via Digg]

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Xbox 360 returned, critical components not included originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Nov 2007 15:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>guttedreturnripoffripped offRippedOffstolentheftthiefxbox 360Xbox360Thu, 22 Nov 2007 15:49:00 EST<![CDATA[Identity thief busted by calling tech support for his stolen driver's license printer]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/23/identity-thief-busted-by-calling-tech-support-for-his-stolen-dri/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/23/identity-thief-busted-by-calling-tech-support-for-his-stolen-dri/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/23/identity-thief-busted-by-calling-tech-support-for-his-stolen-dri/#commentsYou know, if you don't know how to use a gadget, you probably shouldn't go to the trouble of stealing it, because your ass is as good as busted when you call tech support. In the latest case of a criminal not grasping this simple concept, a genius known as Timothy Scott Short stole a Digimarc printer used by the state of Missouri to print driver's licenses and casually called the company to procure the needed software drivers -- which caught the attention of the Secret Service agents already investigating him for identity theft. Digimarc isn't saying how the Secret Service knew Short had called, but since the printer can only be used to print Missouri IDs, it's safe to say they might have had a hunch.

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Identity thief busted by calling tech support for his stolen driver's license printer originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 23 Oct 2007 09:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crimedigimarcmissourithiefTue, 23 Oct 2007 09:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Crook demands $185k in ransom for stolen cellphone]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/17/crook-demands-185k-in-ranson-for-stolen-cellphone/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/17/crook-demands-185k-in-ranson-for-stolen-cellphone/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/17/crook-demands-185k-in-ranson-for-stolen-cellphone/#commentsIf a burglar with exquisite taste somehow managed to snag a million dollar Goldvish, asking for just $185,000 for its safe return wouldn't be too far-fetched. Apparently, the mobile in question wasn't of the princely variety, as this particular thief managed to lower his asking price to a rock-bottom $200. The suspect, known initially through police paperwork as "Baby Boy," was lured into a trap after police tagged along for the exchange and arrested him at gunpoint. When Mr. Boy (later found to be Randy-Jay Adolphos Jones, which is only slightly better) was questioned, he just couldn't put a finger on why he blurted out the $185k figure versus something more reasonable, but hey, not everyone can be right on top of current market conditions, right?

[Via The Raw Feed]

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Crook demands $185k in ransom for stolen cellphone originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 17 Oct 2007 23:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crimecriminaldumbransomstolenstupidtheftthiefweirdWed, 17 Oct 2007 23:04:00 EST<![CDATA[Crook demands $185K in ransom for stolen cellphone]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/17/crook-demands-185k-in-ranson-for-stolen-cellphone/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/17/crook-demands-185k-in-ranson-for-stolen-cellphone/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/17/crook-demands-185k-in-ranson-for-stolen-cellphone/#commentsIf a burglar with exquisite taste somehow managed to snag a million dollar Goldvish, asking for just $185,000 for its safe return wouldn't be too far-fetched. Apparently, the mobile in question wasn't of the princely variety, as this particular thief managed to lower his asking price to a rock-bottom $200. The suspect, known initially through police paperwork as "Baby Boy," was lured into a trap after police tagged along for the exchange and arrested him at gunpoint. When Mr. Boy (later found to be Randy-Jay Adolphos Jones, which is only slightly better) was questioned, he just couldn't put a finger on why he blurted out the $185k figure versus something more reasonable, but hey, not everyone can be right on top of current market conditions, right?

[Via The Raw Feed]

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Crook demands $185K in ransom for stolen cellphone originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 17 Oct 2007 22:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crimecriminalCulturedumbmobileransomstolenstupidtheftthiefweirdWed, 17 Oct 2007 22:21:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple wants your iPod to stop charging for thieves]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/28/apple-wants-your-ipod-to-stop-charging-for-thieves/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/28/apple-wants-your-ipod-to-stop-charging-for-thieves/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/28/apple-wants-your-ipod-to-stop-charging-for-thieves/#comments
Hey, it's no shocker that Apple's iPod is a coveted item even for those who acquire their wares in less than legal manners, but a recent patent application from Apple shows that someone at Cupertino cares about you rightful owners out there. Essentially, the technology would invoke a "guardian" recharge circuit, which would disable any further charging if the computer (or "other recharger") it was paired with was of the unauthorized variety. According to Apple, this type of limitation would "serve as a deterrent to theft," and while we can only assume that it would be applied first to the iPhone and iPod, the application does insinuate that other handheld, rechargeable devices could eventually benefit from the invention.

[Via Slashdot]

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Apple wants your iPod to stop charging for thieves originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 28 Jul 2007 18:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applechargecrimecriminalhijinxipoditunespatentpatentedpatentsportable audioportable videoportableaudioportablevideostealstolenstolen ipodStolenIpodthiefthivesSat, 28 Jul 2007 18:56:00 EST<![CDATA[Reporter has mic stolen during iPhone interview, recovers ungracefully]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/02/reporter-has-mic-stolen-during-iphone-interview-recovers-ungrac/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/02/reporter-has-mic-stolen-during-iphone-interview-recovers-ungrac/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/02/reporter-has-mic-stolen-during-iphone-interview-recovers-ungrac/#commentsWe're quite aware of the mayhem that went on during the buildup to the iPhone launch, and while it may cross someone's mind to purloin the oh-so-coveted device just hours before it went on sale to the public, we can't imagine a Fox News microphone being an acceptable substitute. 'Course, we've no way of really reading the vigilante's mind, but a brief iPhone interview was cut even shorter by a random mic stealer. Click on through for the zaniness as it happened, and kudos to the reporter on not just bailing out while she had the chance.

[Thanks, Matt]

Continue reading Reporter has mic stolen during iPhone interview, recovers ungracefully

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Reporter has mic stolen during iPhone interview, recovers ungracefully originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 02 Jul 2007 03:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applecrimecriminalfunnyiphonestealingstolentheftthiefvideoMon, 02 Jul 2007 03:18:00 EST<![CDATA[Reporter has mic stolen during iPhone interview, recovers ungracefully]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/01/reporter-has-mic-stolen-during-iphone-interview-recovers-ungrac/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/01/reporter-has-mic-stolen-during-iphone-interview-recovers-ungrac/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/01/reporter-has-mic-stolen-during-iphone-interview-recovers-ungrac/#commentsWe're quite aware of the mayhem that went on during the buildup to the iPhone launch, and while it may cross someone's mind to purloin the oh-so-coveted device just hours before it went on sale to the public, we can't imagine a Fox News microphone being an acceptable substitute. 'Course, we've no way of really reading the vigilante's mind, but a brief iPhone interview was cut even shorter by a random mic stealer. Click on through for the zaniness as it happened, and kudos to the reporter on not just bailing out while she had the chance.

[Thanks, Matt]

Continue reading Reporter has mic stolen during iPhone interview, recovers ungracefully

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Reporter has mic stolen during iPhone interview, recovers ungracefully originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 01 Jul 2007 13:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applecrimecriminalfunnyiphonemobilestolentheftthiefSun, 01 Jul 2007 13:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Resolute Wal-Mart shopper attempts to self-checkout $5 plasma]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/30/resolute-wal-mart-shopper-attempts-to-self-checkout-5-plasma/http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/30/resolute-wal-mart-shopper-attempts-to-self-checkout-5-plasma/http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/30/resolute-wal-mart-shopper-attempts-to-self-checkout-5-plasma/#commentsWhile we've certainly seen more dramatic heists before, this particular run-in with the law melds cleverness and ignorance in perfect harmony. After conjuring up grandiose thoughts of subversion, a less-than-reasonable fellow managed to snag a 42-inch Sanyo plasma, replace the $984 pricetag with a slightly less burdensome $4.88 sticker, and carry it to the front where he utilized a self-checkout register to all but steal a brand new PDP. Presumably grinning from ear to ear just basking in the glory of his brilliance, we imagine the mood went south quite quickly after store officers approached the man and demanded a receipt. Of course, he attempted to sweet talk his way out of the predicament, but the end result landed him in handcuffs at the Ouachita Correctional Center. Can't blame a guy for tryin', eh?

[Via BoyGeniusReport, image courtesy of NACOP]

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Resolute Wal-Mart shopper attempts to self-checkout $5 plasma originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 30 Jun 2007 10:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>copscrimecriminaldumbhdtvillegallarcenypricepricingstupidtheftthiefwal-martweirdSat, 30 Jun 2007 10:41:00 EST<![CDATA[Resolute Wal-Mart shopper attempts to self-checkout $5 plasma]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/30/resolute-wal-mart-shopper-attempts-to-self-checkout-5-plasma/http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/30/resolute-wal-mart-shopper-attempts-to-self-checkout-5-plasma/http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/30/resolute-wal-mart-shopper-attempts-to-self-checkout-5-plasma/#commentsWhile we've certainly seen more dramatic heists before, this particular run-in with the law melds cleverness and ignorance in perfect harmony. After conjuring up grandiose thoughts of subversion, a less-than-reasonable fellow managed to snag a 42-inch Sanyo plasma, replace the $984 pricetag with a slightly less burdensome $4.88 sticker, and carry it to the front where he utilized a self-checkout register to all but steal a brand new PDP. Presumably grinning from ear to ear just basking in the glory of his brilliance, we imagine the mood went south quite quickly after store officers approached the man and demanded a receipt. Of course, he attempted to sweet talk his way out of the predicament, but the end result landed him in handcuffs at the Ouachita Correctional Center. Can't blame a guy for tryin', eh?

[Via BoyGeniusReport, image courtesy of NACOP]

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Resolute Wal-Mart shopper attempts to self-checkout $5 plasma originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 30 Jun 2007 10:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>copscrimecriminaldumbhdillegallarcenyothersplasmapricepricingstupidtheftthiefwal-martweirdSat, 30 Jun 2007 10:41:00 EST<![CDATA[Thieves take off with $50,000 worth of cellphones]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/24/thieves-take-off-with-50-000-worth-of-cellphones/http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/24/thieves-take-off-with-50-000-worth-of-cellphones/http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/24/thieves-take-off-with-50-000-worth-of-cellphones/#commentsThe anecdotal evidence for a spike in electronics robberies is piling up, with the latest high profile robbery netting the thieves $50,000 worth of cellphones from a T-Mobile store. Three armed men walked into the store in Fort Bend County in Texas on Thursday, and demanded the "good phones" from the store's safe and the tapes from the CCTV. Staff were tied up, and the thieves deposited the phones into black plastic bags and walked out. Unfortunately for the robbers, T-Mobile keeps a good track of its inventory, and can identify any of the phones if they turn up on the network (meaning that the $50,000 sticker value is much lower on the black market). Crime doesn't pay, especially when your stolen goods can be tracked.

[Via textually]

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Thieves take off with $50,000 worth of cellphones originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 24 Jun 2007 12:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electronicrobberystolentT-mobilethiefThievesSun, 24 Jun 2007 12:01:00 EST<![CDATA['Professional gang' invades Sigma warehouse, grabs plenty]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/21/professional-gang-invades-sigma-warehouse-grabs-plenty/http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/21/professional-gang-invades-sigma-warehouse-grabs-plenty/http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/21/professional-gang-invades-sigma-warehouse-grabs-plenty/#comments
We're beginning to wonder if someone isn't adding a little something to the water over in England, as a recent heist of Sigma Imaging's UK offices makes the country home to the second high-stakes consumer electronics robbery this month. The crooks, which were affectionately dubbed a "professional gang," reportedly broke into the offices and warehouse of Sigma UK in order to lift "a large quantity" of wares. So much so, in fact, that Sigma has warned that the incident could "temporarily disrupt supply to customers," but it failed to mention exactly what was stolen. Notably, the culprits must have momentarily forgotten that they were in the surveillance capital of the world, and now police are breaking down CCTV footage in order to garner more details.

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'Professional gang' invades Sigma warehouse, grabs plenty originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 21 Jun 2007 04:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>britaincctvcrimecriminalenglandlarcenysigmasignma imagingSignmaImagingstolestolenthiefthievesukThu, 21 Jun 2007 04:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Publishing exec 'steals' Google laptops in silly demonstration]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/07/publishing-exec-steals-google-laptops-in-silly-demonstration/http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/07/publishing-exec-steals-google-laptops-in-silly-demonstration/http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/07/publishing-exec-steals-google-laptops-in-silly-demonstration/#comments
We can't say that we'd recommend a CEO steal property from Google in order to prove a point, but the head honcho of Macmillan Publishers pushed his superego aside and did just that at a recent BookExpo America in NYC. It's no secret that a number of publishers have been up in arms about Google's approach to digitizing their works, but Richard Charkin went so far as to recruit a colleague and swipe a pair of laptops from a Google Books kiosk at the event. About an hour later, the booth attendants actually noticed the missing goods and presumably began to panic, and the haughty executive then had the nerve to return the machines to their rightful owners whilst dropping the "hope you enjoyed a taste of your own medicine" line. He justified the bizarre behavior by suggesting that "there wasn't a sign by the computers informing him not to steal them," apparently referencing Google's controversial tactics when scanning books. That'll show 'em, Mr. Charkin.

[Via TechDirt]

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Publishing exec 'steals' Google laptops in silly demonstration originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Jun 2007 13:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>booksceocopyrightcrimecriminale booke bookse readere readerse-booke-bookse-readerE-readersebookebooksgoogleintellectual propertyIntellectualPropertyipMacmillan PublishersMacmillanPublisherspublisherreadreadingstealstealingtheftthiefweirdThu, 07 Jun 2007 13:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Hitachi and Oracle introduce anti-piracy tags in China]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/05/hitachi-and-oracle-introduce-anti-piracy-tags-in-china/http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/05/hitachi-and-oracle-introduce-anti-piracy-tags-in-china/http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/05/hitachi-and-oracle-introduce-anti-piracy-tags-in-china/#commentsConsidering the sensational amount of knockoff gadgetry and counterfeit software that manages to emerge in China, it's only surprising that it has taken this long for a company (or two) to unveil a legitimate solution to at least curb the amount of black market goods that leave the country. Reportedly, Oracle will be teaming up with Hitachi to "jointly market wireless IC tags in China that can be used to identify whether products are real or not," meaning that tagged goods can now be easily identified as authentic when placed over a reader. The tags will be made and distributed by Hitachi and the duo of firms will promote the usage of said anti-piracy measures with the Tokyo-based Ubiquitous ID Center which issues and manages IC tags. Initially, the tags will purportedly be used with tickets for the upcoming Beijing Olympics and Expo 2010 in Shanghai, but there was no word on any planned rollouts or potential takers outside of these two events. Still, for Japanese wares makers that operate in China, ¥10 ($0.08) a pop for these piracy-thwarting tags sounds like an awfully fair deal. [Warning: Read link requires subscription]

[Via Yahoo]

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Hitachi and Oracle introduce anti-piracy tags in China originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Jun 2007 08:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anti-piracyBeijingchinacopyrightcounterfeitcrimecriminalhitachiicic tagic tagsIcTagIcTagsintegrated circuitIntegratedCircuitintellectual propertyIntellectualPropertyipOlympicsoraclepartnerpartnershippiracyrfidtheftthiefthievesUbiquitous ID CenterUbiquitousIdCenterTue, 05 Jun 2007 08:33:00 EST