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[Western Digital unveils new My Passport portable hard drives, upgrades visa to 2TB]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/20/western-digital-unveils-new-my-passport-portable-hard-drives-up/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/20/western-digital-unveils-new-my-passport-portable-hard-drives-up/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/20/western-digital-unveils-new-my-passport-portable-hard-drives-up/#comments Image

Sure, six terabytes of storage might seem like hot stuff, but Western Digital's stackable MyBook Thunderbolt Duo drives aren't exactly portable. Lucky for you and your massive photo, music and film collections, WD's My Passport drive just crossed the 2TB border. At $250, this USB 3.0 storage sanctum claims to be the first -- and so far, only -- portable hard drive to break the two terabyte mark. "It's the perfect blend of monstrous capacity, reliability and user-friendly technology in a sleek form factor," said WD executive vice president and general manager Jim Welsh, "now in five colors." Count 'em, five. You didn't think the lizards were after your data, did you? Read on for WD's official press release.

Continue reading Western Digital unveils new My Passport portable hard drives, upgrades visa to 2TB

Western Digital unveils new My Passport portable hard drives, upgrades visa to 2TB originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 20 Mar 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2 tb2 terabyte20092TB2Terabytedata storageDataStorageexternal hard driveexternal hddExternalHardDriveExternalHddJim WelshMicrosoftMy PassportMyPassportpassportportable hard drivePortableHardDriveSci/Techtwo terabytesTwoTerabyteswdwestern digitalWestern Digital CorpWesternDigitalTue, 20 Mar 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[IATA's Checkpoint of the Future uses biometric IDs to separate do-gooders from terrorists (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/08/iatas-checkpoint-of-the-future-uses-biometric-ids-to-separate-d/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/08/iatas-checkpoint-of-the-future-uses-biometric-ids-to-separate-d/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/08/iatas-checkpoint-of-the-future-uses-biometric-ids-to-separate-d/#comments
This, ladies and gentlemen, could be your Checkpoint of the Future -- a new airport security prototype that promises to move away "from a system that looks for bad objects, to one that can find bad people." Unveiled at the IATA's annual conference in Singapore yesterday, the setup is comprised of three, 20-foot long detectors -- one for "known travelers," one for high-risk flyers, and one for everyone else. Instead of funneling passengers through the same checkpoint, then, the prototype would use eye scanners and biometric chips to verify their identities and analyze their personal history, before dividing them into groups. People who complete and pass government background checks would waltz through the fast pass lane with their carry-on luggage in tow, whereas those deemed particularly risky would have to undergo a more intensive, full-body scan within the "Enhanced" security lane. The rest of us, meanwhile, would be directed to the "Normal" detector, which would automatically scan us for liquids, metals and everything that is evil. The IATA says this risk-based approach would reduce security lines and lower airport costs, but it would still require governments to share data on their own citizens, which could pose a major hurdle to widespread adoption. For now, the IATA and governmental agencies are still hammering away at the details and have yet to announce a pilot program, but you can check out an audio-less demo video of the prototype, after the break.

Continue reading IATA's Checkpoint of the Future uses biometric IDs to separate do-gooders from terrorists (video)

IATA's Checkpoint of the Future uses biometric IDs to separate do-gooders from terrorists (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 08 Jun 2011 09:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>airportairport securityAirportSecuritybackground checkBackgroundCheckbiometriccheckpointcheckpoint of the futureCheckpointOfTheFuturedetectoreyesflightfull body scansFullBodyScansiatairis scaniris scannerIrisScanIrisScannermetal detectorMetalDetectorpassportprototyperiskrisk assessmentRiskAssessmentscansecuritysecurity checkpointSecurityCheckpointsingaporeterrorismterroristtravelvideoWed, 08 Jun 2011 09:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Video: Samsung's e-passport turns your head into a rotating government specimen]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/19/video-samsungs-e-passport-turns-your-head-into-a-rotating-gove/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/19/video-samsungs-e-passport-turns-your-head-into-a-rotating-gove/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/19/video-samsungs-e-passport-turns-your-head-into-a-rotating-gove/#comments Samsung (and your local government) hasn't been shy with its plans for electrifying passports. Yet we still haven't seen video of its e-passport with flexible OLED display in action, 'till now. The 2-inch, 240x320 AMOLED displays a disembodied, rotating head in 260k colors and 10k:1 contrast when activated by an RF source reader. No details were provided as to when these might enter production but we have the icky feeling it'll be sooner than we want.

[Via OLED-Info]

Continue reading Video: Samsung's e-passport turns your head into a rotating government specimen

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Video: Samsung's e-passport turns your head into a rotating government specimen originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 19 Jun 2009 05:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amolede-passportelectronic passportElectronicPassportepassportflexible oledFlexibleOledoledpassportreaderRFrf readerRfReadervideoFri, 19 Jun 2009 05:26:00 EST<![CDATA[Engadget's recession antidote: win a Scosche passPORT Home Dock!]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/12/engadgets-recession-antidote-win-a-scosche-passport-home-dock/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/12/engadgets-recession-antidote-win-a-scosche-passport-home-dock/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/12/engadgets-recession-antidote-win-a-scosche-passport-home-dock/#comments This whole global economic crisis, and its resulting massive loss of jobs got us thinking. We here at Engadget didn't want to stand helplessly by, announcing every new round of misery without giving anything back -- so we decided to take the opportunity to spread a little positivity. We'll be handing out a new gadget every day (except for weekends) to lucky readers until we run out of stuff / companies stop sending things. Today we've got a Scosche passPORT Home Dock ready to give your old iPod docking device the ability to play nice with newer iPods and iPhones. Read the rules below (no skimming -- we're omniscient and can tell when you've skimmed) and get commenting! Hooray for free stuff! Oh, and for those who miss out, coupon code 'engadget' will net you 20 percent through Google Checkout at Radius' site.

Special thanks to Scosche for providing the gear!


The rules:
  • Leave a comment below. Any comment will do, but if you want to share your proposal for "fixing" the world economy, that'd be sweet too.
  • You may only enter this specific giveaway once. If you enter this giveaway more than once you'll be automatically disqualified, etc. (Yes, we have robots that thoroughly check to ensure fairness.)
  • If you enter more than once, only activate one comment. This is pretty self explanatory. Just be careful and you'll be fine.
  • Contest is open to anyone in the 50 States, 18 or older! Sorry, we don't make this rule (we hate excluding anyone), so be mad at our lawyers and contest laws if you have to be mad.
  • Winner will be chosen randomly. One (1) winner will receive one (1) Scosche passPORT Home Dock. Approximate retail value is $39.99.
  • If you are chosen, you will be notified by email. Winners must respond within three days of the end of the contest. If you do not respond within that period, another winner will be chosen.
  • Entries can be submitted until Friday, June 12th, at 11:59PM ET. Good luck!
  • Full rules can be found here.

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Engadget's recession antidote: win a Scosche passPORT Home Dock! originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 12 Jun 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>antidotecontestgiveawayipodipod accessoryIpodAccessorypassportpassPORT Home DockPassportHomeDockportable audioportableaudiorecessionrecession antidoteRecessionAntidoteScoscheFri, 12 Jun 2009 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Vizio to use Macrovision's program guide software]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/04/vizio-to-use-macrovisions-program-guide-software/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/04/vizio-to-use-macrovisions-program-guide-software/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/04/vizio-to-use-macrovisions-program-guide-software/#comments
In some non-delay related Vizio news, it's just signed up with Macrovision in a multiyear deal to use its program guide (IPG) tech. We don't know which flavor of new technology it might be using (we've recently seen Macrovision's Passport tru2way guide software as well as its prototype Neon embedded software, built to pull Internet content in alongside regular TV programming) but either would be lovely to see on the Connected HDTV when it debuts later this year.

Gallery: Macrovision shows new Passport tru2way guide and iGuide multi-room viewing

iGuide MRVPassport tru2way grid guidePassport Recorded ShowsPassport MRV Recorded Shows

Gallery: Macrovision "Neon" IPG

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Vizio to use Macrovision's program guide software originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 04 May 2009 11:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hdipgmacrovisionneonotherspassportprogram guideProgramGuidevizioMon, 04 May 2009 11:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Macrovision shows new Passport tru2way guide and multi-room features]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/01/macrovision-shows-new-passport-tru2way-guide-and-iguide-multi-ro/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/01/macrovision-shows-new-passport-tru2way-guide-and-iguide-multi-ro/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/01/macrovision-shows-new-passport-tru2way-guide-and-iguide-multi-ro/#commentsPassport tru2way grid guide
At the Cable Show this week Macrovision is showing off its new tru2way Passport software, which we have to say is pretty cool looking. Of course it isn't the coolest looking software we've seen, but it is the best looking tru2way option so far and at least it is widescreen. But maybe in what might be bigger news to Comcast fans customers around the country -- or anyone who uses the Passport of iGuide software really -- is the that like the Passport tru2way software, the new Passport and iGuide software will also support multi-room viewing. So you'll finally be able to have your content follow you around the house and automatically pick up where you left off. Unfortunately like other solutions based on the Motorola boxes it's limited to two tuners throughout the house -- because a DVR can only act as a server and not as a client -- and we'd bet our old friends at the cable company will continue to only offer DVRs with puney 160GB hard drives, which really makes it hard for most families to get by with a single DVR.

Gallery: Macrovision shows new Passport tru2way guide and iGuide multi-room viewing

iGuide MRVPassport tru2way grid guidePassport Recorded ShowsPassport MRV Recorded Shows

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Macrovision shows new Passport tru2way guide and multi-room features originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Apr 2009 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CableShowCableShow2009hdiGuideMacrovisionMRVMulti-roomPassportTheCableShowTheCableShow2009tru2wayWed, 01 Apr 2009 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Scosche passPORT Home Dock gives new life to old iPod docks]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/scosche-passport-home-dock-gives-new-life-to-old-ipod-docks/http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/scosche-passport-home-dock-gives-new-life-to-old-ipod-docks/http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/23/scosche-passport-home-dock-gives-new-life-to-old-ipod-docks/#comments
Let's get one thing straight right now -- Scosche isn't actually selling an iPod dock here. What it is pitching, however, is an adapter that'll add new life to your aged iPod sound system. Much like the automotive passPORT announced earlier this year, the passPORT Home Dock charging adapter was specifically designed to fix the charging error associated with several iPod docking stations and enables charging for the iPhone 3G, iPod touch Gen 2, and iPod nano Gen 4. In other words, it allows these newer devices to charge even in older docks that don't support USB 5-volt charging. Of course, you better really love your existing dock, 'cause this adapter alone is pegged at $39.99. A nice demonstration vid is after the break if you're having a typical case of the Mondays.

Continue reading Scosche passPORT Home Dock gives new life to old iPod docks

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Scosche passPORT Home Dock gives new life to old iPod docks originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 23 Feb 2009 18:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ipod dockipod music systemipod sound systemIpodDockIpodMusicSystemIpodSoundSystempassPORTpassPORT Home DockPassportHomeDockportable audioportableaudioScoscheMon, 23 Feb 2009 18:19:00 EST<![CDATA[Video: Hacker war drives San Francisco cloning RFID passports]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/02/video-hacker-war-drives-san-francisco-cloning-rfid-passports/http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/02/video-hacker-war-drives-san-francisco-cloning-rfid-passports/http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/02/video-hacker-war-drives-san-francisco-cloning-rfid-passports/#comments
Think of it this way: Chris Paget just did you a service by hacking your passport and stealing your identity. Using a $250 Motorola RFID reader and antenna connected to his laptop, Chris recently drove around San Francisco reading RFID tags from passports, driver licenses, and other identity documents. In just 20 minutes, he found and cloned the passports of two very unaware US citizens. Fortunately, Chris wears a white hat; his video demonstration is meant to raise awareness to what he calls the unsuitability of RFID for tagging people. Specifically, he's hoping to help get the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative -- a homeland security project -- scrapped. Perhaps you'll feel the same after watching his video posted after the break.

Read -- Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative
Read -- RFID passports cloned

Continue reading Video: Hacker war drives San Francisco cloning RFID passports

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Video: Hacker war drives San Francisco cloning RFID passports originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 02 Feb 2009 03:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>department of homeland defenseDepartmentOfHomelandDefensehacknational securityNationalSecuritypassportrfidwar drivingWarDrivingwhite hatWhiteHatMon, 02 Feb 2009 03:51:00 EST<![CDATA[Scosche Passport FireWire-to-USB iPod adapter gets reviewed]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/21/scosche-passport-firewire-to-usb-ipod-adapter-gets-reviewed/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/21/scosche-passport-firewire-to-usb-ipod-adapter-gets-reviewed/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/21/scosche-passport-firewire-to-usb-ipod-adapter-gets-reviewed/#comments
Okay, so this adapter doesn't directly convert a FireWire 400 socket into a USB port, but for all intents and purposes here, it does as much. You see, Scosche's Passport was designed to channel the energy from older FireWire-based iPod charging gear into the USB prongs that the newer iPhone / iPods only accept. Macworld was able to get ahold of one for review, and in testing, it found that everything worked well when toying with new iPods, and while it was designed specifically for in-car applications, critics found that it even worked (albeit inelegantly) with dock-cradle accessories. Was it worth $30? Absolutely, so long as you'd rather burn $30 than replace that mess of wires you've got behind the dashboard (and you would).

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Scosche Passport FireWire-to-USB iPod adapter gets reviewed originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 21 Nov 2008 08:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adapterapplefirewireipodipod accessoryIpodAccessorymobilePassportperipheralsreviewScoscheFri, 21 Nov 2008 08:36:00 EST<![CDATA[Scosche Passport FireWire-to-USB iPod adapter gets reviewed]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/21/scosche-passport-firewire-to-usb-ipod-adapter-gets-reviewed/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/21/scosche-passport-firewire-to-usb-ipod-adapter-gets-reviewed/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/21/scosche-passport-firewire-to-usb-ipod-adapter-gets-reviewed/#comments
Okay, so this adapter doesn't directly convert a FireWire 400 socket into a USB port, but for all intents and purposes here, it does as much. You see, Scosche's Passport was designed to channel the energy from older FireWire-based iPod charging gear into the USB prongs that the newer iPhone / iPods only accept. Macworld was able to get ahold of one for review, and in testing, it found that everything worked well when toying with new iPods, and while it was designed specifically for in-car applications, critics found that it even worked (albeit inelegantly) with dock-cradle accessories. Was it worth $30? Absolutely, so long as you'd rather burn $30 than replace that mess of wires you've got behind the dashboard (and you would).

Filed under: , ,

Scosche Passport FireWire-to-USB iPod adapter gets reviewed originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 21 Nov 2008 08:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adapterfirewireipodipod accessoryIpodAccessoryPassportportable audioportable videoportableaudioportablevideoreviewScoscheFri, 21 Nov 2008 08:36:00 EST<![CDATA[Western Digital My Passport Studio: now with FireWire 800]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/30/western-digital-my-passport-studio-now-with-firewire-800/http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/30/western-digital-my-passport-studio-now-with-firewire-800/http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/30/western-digital-my-passport-studio-now-with-firewire-800/#comments
Western Digital announced a new member of their wannabe-buddies-with-Mac My Passport Studio line today -- it's the exact same drive as the previous Studio model, only this one comes etched with your favorite character from "Friends" on it! Not really: it's got a FireWire 800 port in addition to the old hat FireWire 400 and USB interfaces, perfect for those brand new MacBook Pro owners -- if they have any cash left, that is. The 400GB model is going to run you $229.99, 500GB will be $249.99, and they're available now.

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Western Digital My Passport Studio: now with FireWire 800 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Oct 2008 13:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>500 gb500Gbexternal hard driveexternal hddExternalHardDriveExternalHddfirewire 800Firewire800hard driveHardDrivemy passportmy passport studioMyPassportMyPassportStudiopassportportable hard driveportable hddPortableHardDrivePortableHddstudiowdwestern digitalWesternDigitalThu, 30 Oct 2008 13:22:00 EST<![CDATA[Western Digital expectedly adds 500GB My Passport drives]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/15/western-digital-expectedly-adds-500gb-my-passport-drives/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/15/western-digital-expectedly-adds-500gb-my-passport-drives/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/15/western-digital-expectedly-adds-500gb-my-passport-drives/#comments
Nice going, WD! Just days after rolling out your 500GB laptop drive (and by "rolling out," we mean "shipping), you've already found the courage to add a few half-terabyte units to your My Passport lines. Starting today, consumers can snap up the My Passport Elite or My Passport Essential in a 500GB flavor, both of which still weigh in at under 7-ounces and are available now. Prices? Try $199.99 for the 500GB Essential, $219.99 for the 500GB Elite.

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Western Digital expectedly adds 500GB My Passport drives originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 15 Sep 2008 10:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>500gbexternal hard driveexternal hddExternalHardDriveExternalHddhard driveHardDrivehddmy passportmy Passport EliteMy Passport EssentialMyPassportMyPassportEliteMyPassportEssentialpassportportable hard driveportable hddPortableHardDrivePortableHddwdwestern digitalWesternDigitalMon, 15 Sep 2008 10:13:00 EST<![CDATA[More e-passports hacked within minutes, security questions abound]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/more-e-passports-hacked-within-minutes-security-questions-aboun/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/more-e-passports-hacked-within-minutes-security-questions-aboun/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/more-e-passports-hacked-within-minutes-security-questions-aboun/#commentsIt's downright frightening that we've become numb to this news, but here again we're faced with another report of e-passports being hacked within minutes. The University of Amsterdam's Jeroen van Beek was reportedly able to clone and manipulate a pair of British passports in about the time it takes you to sip down your first cup of joe in the morning, and worse still, they were accepted as genuine by the software "recommended for use at international airports." The tests point out a number of vulnerabilities, including the fact that the microchips could be susceptible to having falsified biometrics inserted for use. As expected, talking heads at the Home Office still insist that any chip manipulation would be immediately recognized by the electronic readers, so we'll leave it up to you to decide who's telling the truth here.

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More e-passports hacked within minutes, security questions abound originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Aug 2008 06:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e-passporthackhackedloopholepassportrfidsafetysecurityThu, 07 Aug 2008 06:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Samsung demonstrates e-passport with flexible OLED display]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/20/samsung-demonstrates-e-passport-with-flexible-oled-display/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/20/samsung-demonstrates-e-passport-with-flexible-oled-display/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/20/samsung-demonstrates-e-passport-with-flexible-oled-display/#commentsIt's been a tick since we've heard anything noteworthy on the e-passport front (that's probably a good thing, truth be told), but Samsung SDI and German security printer Bundesdruckerei are out to break the silence. The two have teamed up to demonstrate a passport that boasts a "slim and bendable" OLED color display within a "polycarbonate data page." Predictably, the aforementioned display can be used to "provide a raft of information including a video of the document holder." It's also noted that the units will be heat-resistant, enabling officials to laminate the cards and make them less susceptible to manipulation. Information about a potential release date wasn't divulged, but it sure sounds like this stuff is dangerously close to being ready for use.

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Samsung demonstrates e-passport with flexible OLED display originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 20 May 2008 01:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Bundesdruckeree-PassportePassportflexible displayFlexibleDisplaygermangermanyoledoled passportOledPassportpassportsamsungTue, 20 May 2008 01:24:00 EST<![CDATA[WD's My Passport Essential: now in 11 different colors]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/09/wds-my-passport-essential-now-in-11-different-colors/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/09/wds-my-passport-essential-now-in-11-different-colors/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/09/wds-my-passport-essential-now-in-11-different-colors/#comments
Face it: Western Digital's My Passport Essential family of portable hard drives was hamstrung from day one. After all, with just about every other external HDD from the company coming in any amount of colors, who exactly is going to be kosher with just black? Never fear, as WD's dutiful painting squad has stepped up and given prospective buyers 11 different hues to select from. Each drive comes in 120GB, 160GB, 250GB and 320GB capacities and gets all the juice it needs via USB 2.0, but choosing between candy apple red and banana yellow could really slow up the checkout process.

[Via I4U News]

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WD's My Passport Essential: now in 11 different colors originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 09 Apr 2008 11:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>external hard driveexternal hddExternalHardDriveExternalHddMy PassportMy Passport EssentialMyPassportMyPassportEssentialpassportportable hard drivePortableHardDrivewdwestern digitalWesternDigitalWed, 09 Apr 2008 11:54:00 EST<![CDATA[Western Digital intros My Passport Essential external HDD]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/30/western-digital-intros-my-passport-essential-external-hdd/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/30/western-digital-intros-my-passport-essential-external-hdd/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/30/western-digital-intros-my-passport-essential-external-hdd/#comments
WD's Passport portable drive a bit too clunky for your tastes? We dig your style, and if you're always looking for something sleeker and sexier, the new My Passport Essential is likely to satisfy -- if only for a moment. Reportedly, these were tweaked to look more like the firm's popular My Book family, and each one weighs in at less than five ounces. Available now in 160GB, 250GB and 320GB flavors, these USB-powered drives cap out at $199.99 and (for now at least) only arrive in the glossy black finish you see above.

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Western Digital intros My Passport Essential external HDD originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 Jan 2008 10:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>external hard driveexternal hddExternalHardDriveExternalHddhard driveHardDrivemy passportMyPassportpassportwdwestern digitalWesternDigitalWed, 30 Jan 2008 10:19:00 EST<![CDATA[New US e-passports to speed checkpoint times, freak out privacy types, in April or May]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/03/new-us-e-passports-to-speed-checkpoint-times-freak-out-privacy/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/03/new-us-e-passports-to-speed-checkpoint-times-freak-out-privacy/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/03/new-us-e-passports-to-speed-checkpoint-times-freak-out-privacy/#commentsThe feds are done debating and are all prepped to introduce RFID e-passports readable up to 20 feet away to US citizens who frequently travel to Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean in either April or May of 2008. The new passports should allow traveler info to be read as they're shuffling up to the border agent, who can verify their info and wave them along with little delay. Privacy advocates are obviously concerned about people capturing data or cloning the passports, but you can always "accidentally" destroy your RFID chip if that's enough of an issue for you -- the rest of us welcome our benevolent Big Brother with bellyfeel!

[Via Slashdot]

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New US e-passports to speed checkpoint times, freak out privacy types, in April or May originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 03 Jan 2008 12:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e-passportpassportrfidThu, 03 Jan 2008 12:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Western Digital Passport portable drive hits 320GB]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/03/western-digital-passport-portable-drive-hits-320gb/http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/03/western-digital-passport-portable-drive-hits-320gb/http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/03/western-digital-passport-portable-drive-hits-320gb/#comments
Face it, that 80GB HDD your laptop entered the world with isn't cutting it anymore, and just any add-on won't do. No, you've gotta do it up right with a newfangled 320GB 2.5-inch portable drive, and Western Digital's got just the thing with the newest member of its Passport lineup. The drive weighs less than 5 ounces, runs on the latest and greatest platters, and will set you back $230.

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Western Digital Passport portable drive hits 320GB originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 03 Dec 2007 08:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>320gbpassportwestern digitalWesternDigitalMon, 03 Dec 2007 08:55:00 EST<![CDATA[NXP supplying Germany with second-gen ePassports]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/11/03/nxp-supplying-germany-with-second-gen-epassports/http://www.engadget.com/2007/11/03/nxp-supplying-germany-with-second-gen-epassports/http://www.engadget.com/2007/11/03/nxp-supplying-germany-with-second-gen-epassports/#commentsConsidering just how well the first round of RFID ePassports withstood subversion attempts from hackers, we're amazed that anything needs to be tweaked at all. Sarcasm aside, NXP is all set to make Germany the first country on the planet to utilize second-generation ePassports, as the EU-set deadline to migrate doesn't pass until June of 2009. The new passports will include a SmartMX chip that allows biometric data to be "securely stored on the passport," and the 80kb of onboard storage also holds the individual's photo, name, and date / country of birth. Of note, NXP even goes so far as to gloat about the chip's ability to "guard against attack scenarios," but we'll be interested to see how long it takes the oh-so-motivated hacking community to find a backdoor when these launch later this month.

[Via TheRegister]

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NXP supplying Germany with second-gen ePassports originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 03 Nov 2007 03:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biometricbiometricsepassportepassport IIEpassportIiEUEuropean UnionEuropeanUnionfingerprintgermangermanynxppassportrfidSmartMXSat, 03 Nov 2007 03:46:00 EST<![CDATA[Western Digital's Passport drive goes pink for breast cancer research]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/30/western-digitals-passport-drive-goes-pink-for-breast-cancer-res/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/30/western-digitals-passport-drive-goes-pink-for-breast-cancer-res/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/30/western-digitals-passport-drive-goes-pink-for-breast-cancer-res/#comments
Just weeks after Western Digital colorized its Passport line of external hard drives, the firm is at it once more with a metallic pink iteration. This particular unit, however, promotes something a bit more important than your obsession with nightly backups, as WD has pledged to donate an undisclosed amount of cash to the National Breast Cancer Foundation for each one purchased from now until February 29, 2008. The drive comes stocked with 250GB of space, gets its juice directly from your USB port and is available now for $199.99 for those interested.

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Western Digital's Passport drive goes pink for breast cancer research originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 30 Oct 2007 23:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breast cancerBreastCancercharityexternal hard driveexternal hddExternalHardDriveExternalHddpassportpinkwdwestern digitalWesternDigitalTue, 30 Oct 2007 23:12:00 EST<![CDATA[Western Digital adds three new colors to Passport lineup]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/western-digital-adds-three-new-colors-to-passport-lineup/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/western-digital-adds-three-new-colors-to-passport-lineup/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/western-digital-adds-three-new-colors-to-passport-lineup/#comments
While we're sure some folks were just fine with WD's glossy black 250GB Passport, the firm is looking out for those who like their external drives a bit more flashy. Western Digital is now offering up its quarter-terabyte Passport in vibrant green, glossy white and metallic red, but aside from the hues, everything else looks to be staying the same. No official word on price just yet, but it should line up pretty evenly with the black iteration already out.

[Via CNET]

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Western Digital adds three new colors to Passport lineup originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 02 Oct 2007 21:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>colorcoloredcolorsexternal hard driveexternal hddExternalHardDriveExternalHddhard driveHardDrivehddpassportwdWDXMSC2500western digitalWesternDigitalTue, 02 Oct 2007 21:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Hackers crash e-passport readers -- stage set for exploits]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/08/01/hackers-crash-e-passport-readers-ready-to-develop-exploits/http://www.engadget.com/2007/08/01/hackers-crash-e-passport-readers-ready-to-develop-exploits/http://www.engadget.com/2007/08/01/hackers-crash-e-passport-readers-ready-to-develop-exploits/#commentsLukas Grunwald -- last seen cloning Germany's RFID passports -- is back with more "white hat" hackery on the world's new e-passport systems. This time, however, he's crashing RFID readers to demonstrate how a hacked passport could conceivably force approval of expired or forged passports. After all, "If you're able to crash something you are most likely able to exploit it," says Grunwald. Lukas was able to crash two passport readers made by different vendors by first cloning a passport's chip and then modding the JPEG2000 image file stored within the chip to create a buffer overflow condition -- the same vulnerabilities which make so many devices (the original Xbox, anyone?) so easily exploitable. Lukas contends that all airport readers are likely vulnerable to such an exploit as they would be using off-the-shelf libraries for decoding JPEG images. Lukas will be demonstrating his latest hack this weekend at DefCon in Vegas. Hmmm, with CES moving to RFID badges this year, we have a funny feeling that attendance is going to be way up.

[Via BoingBoing]

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Hackers crash e-passport readers -- stage set for exploits originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Aug 2007 04:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Western Digital has given a boost to its Passport line of external USB hard drives, today introducing a new 250GB model that makes the previous top-end 160GB drive look positively paltry in comparison. While the exact type of hard drive crammed in there isn't clear, like other Passport drives, it's most definitely of the 2.5-inch variety, with the entire enclosure measuring just 5.11 x 3.14 x 0.59 inches. You'll also get the usual complement of pre-loaded software, including Western Digital's WD Sync software and Google Desktop -- no Mac software here, although the drive itself will work just fine. If that'll do, you can get your drive now for an even $200.

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Western Digital intros 250GB Passport hard drive originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Jun 2007 14:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>external hard driveExternalHardDrivehard driveHardDrivepassportusb hard driveUsbHardDrivewestern digitalWesternDigitalWed, 06 Jun 2007 14:46:00 EST<![CDATA[Concerns raised over U.K. ePassport warranties]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/02/07/concerns-raised-over-u-k-epassport-warranties/http://www.engadget.com/2007/02/07/concerns-raised-over-u-k-epassport-warranties/http://www.engadget.com/2007/02/07/concerns-raised-over-u-k-epassport-warranties/#commentsWhile passing on the extended warranty usually isn't that bad of an idea for most products, when it comes to something as vital as a passport, you might as well bite the bullet and spring for it, just to have that extra peace of mind. Unfortunately, according to the BBC, it seems that officials in the U.K. realized this a little too late, and they're now stuck handing out spiffy new ePassports that have only a two-year warranty on the microchips that make 'em tick, despite the fact that passports are intended to be used for a full ten years. While the U.K.'s Home Office seems confident that the passports will hold up to the rigors of travel, the National Audit Office that discovered the curious oversight is nonetheless encouraging those responsible to inquire about extending the warranty to cover any future potential problems. If that weren't enough, there's also concerns that the necessary scanners for the passports won't be in place throughout the U.K. until March of this year, likely causing delays for travelers in the meantime. Surely they won't have any more problems than that.

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Concerns raised over U.K. ePassport warranties originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 07 Feb 2007 19:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eletronic passportEletronicPassportepassportpassportrfidWed, 07 Feb 2007 19:39:00 EST<![CDATA[Cloned e-passports: your government doesn't care]]>http://www.engadget.com/2006/12/19/cloned-e-passports-your-government-doesnt-care/http://www.engadget.com/2006/12/19/cloned-e-passports-your-government-doesnt-care/http://www.engadget.com/2006/12/19/cloned-e-passports-your-government-doesnt-care/#commentsHow easy is it to digitally clone an electronic passport? Very. Using an RFID reader purchased on eBay, white-hat hackers from DN-Systems consulting recently demonstrated to the BBC how they can download British e-passport data to their computer and then write it to a new, blank RFID chip to create a perfect digital clone. Sure, the hack requires access to the software used by border police, but apparently, this is already out in the wilds. Astounding, huh? Yeah, but it's not new. This is the same hack we've seen repeatedly demonstrated in Germany, the US, The Netherlands, Ireland, etc. What's notable here is the lack of incredulity imparted by the spokesman for the UK Home Office who said, "It is hard to see why anyone would want to access the information on the chip." Identify theft, maybe? True, British e-passports unlike those issued by other countries, do not (currently) store fingerprint scans in the chip and the encryption is just one aspect of the passport's overall security. However, with these mechanisms also circumvented, shouldn't our government officials be just a tad concerned?

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Cloned e-passports: your government doesn't care originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Dec 2006 08:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biometric passportBiometricPassporte passporte-passportEPassportpassportrfidukTue, 19 Dec 2006 08:16:00 EST<![CDATA[Scaremongers dub RFID passports as potential bomb trigger]]>http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/18/scaremongers-dub-rfid-passports-as-potential-bomb-trigger/http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/18/scaremongers-dub-rfid-passports-as-potential-bomb-trigger/http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/18/scaremongers-dub-rfid-passports-as-potential-bomb-trigger/#commentsSure, we have just as many concerns over RFID-related security technology as anybody, but a new report by mobile security experts Flexilis seems to take things a bit too far. In their report on the lacking shielding of the new e-passports, allowing the passport to be read by a high-powered reader if the book is slightly open, they go on to illustrate the "dangers" of such a security lapse by calling it a potential bomb trigger. Their demonstration involves a passport-toting dummy brushing by a trash can, which explodes once the dummy gets too close. The Flexilis guys even conjecture that a country ID code could eventually be identified in passports, allowing for targeted bombing of citizens from specific countries. The problem with all this, is that any radio-transmitting device could potentially trigger a bomb (phone, Bluetooth device, etc.), nobody has hacked an RFID country code yet, and the situations that would call for this sort of bomb are even more far-fetched than the concept. There's nothing much special about RFID in this regard, other than some security "experts" trying to cash in on the hysteria. Check the video after the break, and judge for yourself whether or not RFID is going to be the hip-cool new detonation system of the decade. We're thinking no.

[Via textually.org]

Continue reading Scaremongers dub RFID passports as potential bomb trigger

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Scaremongers dub RFID passports as potential bomb trigger originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Aug 2006 16:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bombbomb triggerBombTriggere-passportpassportrfidsecurityFri, 18 Aug 2006 16:18:00 EST<![CDATA[US to launch RFID passports on Monday]]>http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/12/us-to-launch-rfid-passports-on-monday/http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/12/us-to-launch-rfid-passports-on-monday/http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/12/us-to-launch-rfid-passports-on-monday/#commentsDespite the various privacy concerns that have been repeatedly raised in regards to e-passports, the US is going ahead with their plans to launch the system this Monday. Not all newly-issued passports will be RFID-enabled, since mass production has been held up by the ongoing legal dispute over the technology. The first passports to be issued will be those produced during the pilot run of the project, but the full roll-out should be completed in about a year. Including the extra $12 security surcharge slapped onto passports last year, the new and "improved" models will cost $97, the same as they do currently. If you're overly concerned about the security implications or potential apocalypse causation, you might want to nab a passport now, since traditional passports will be valid until their listed expiration date. We'll manage like usual: hills, tin-foil, condensed milk, etc.

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US to launch RFID passports on Monday originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 12 Aug 2006 14:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e-passportpassportrfidSat, 12 Aug 2006 14:10:00 EST<![CDATA[German hackers clone RFID e-passports]]>http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/03/german-hackers-clone-rfid-e-passports/http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/03/german-hackers-clone-rfid-e-passports/http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/03/german-hackers-clone-rfid-e-passports/#commentsOh snap. First the Dutch get their RFID e-passport system cracked, then VeriChip gets its "counterfeit proof" RFID implant copied by a pair of hackers in front of a live audience, and now some hackers in Germany have undermined some of the security behind the electronic passports that the United States and other countries are planning to implement this month. Lukas Grunwald did the honors this time, and says it took him about two weeks to figure out the hack, with most of his time spent reading the publicly available e-passport standards on the International Civil Aviation Organization's official website. Since all countries will be adhering to the ICAO's standard, his hack should work on other passports as well. Grunwald demonstrated for Wired the whole process of cloning a passport, and even proceeded to copy the data to a corporate smartcard, which when slipped between the normal RFID chip and the reader allows him to have a physical passport that differs from his RFID passport. All is not lost however, since most countries plan to have physical inspections to make sure everything matches up, and information cannot currently be modified on the passport -- but the security failures so far sure don't inspire a lot of confidence.

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German hackers clone RFID e-passports originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 03 Aug 2006 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e-passporticaopassportrfidThu, 03 Aug 2006 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[RFID Passports coming to the US in August]]>http://www.engadget.com/2006/07/15/rfid-passports-coming-to-the-us-in-august/http://www.engadget.com/2006/07/15/rfid-passports-coming-to-the-us-in-august/http://www.engadget.com/2006/07/15/rfid-passports-coming-to-the-us-in-august/#commentsIt has been a long and extremely troubled road for the ePassport here in the US, but it looks like they'll finally start hitting carry on bags of non-diplomats late next month. The new RFID tag-toting documents will store all of your personal data, including name, address, nationality, a picture, a digitized fingerprint and just about every other thing crooks would need to take your identity for a joyride. The government is insisting that they've taken the necessary precautions to prevent data "skimming," but that can be a lot trickier than it sounds. Just ask the Dutch. Ultimately, the technology could go either way, acting as an effective method of cross-checking people across a vast security network as they move from country to country, or evolving into an omnipresent grid of surveillance that will spread viruses and confine us all to our homes lest we feel the wrath of cyber criminals or high-tech fascists. So let us know how it turns out, we'll be in the basement with our RFID-blocking wallet and tin foil hat.

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RFID Passports coming to the US in August originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 15 Jul 2006 13:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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