Digital Gadgets

Japanese bank to allow cell phone in Engadget ATM access

Japan’s Sumitomo Mitsui Bank plans to let customers start accessing ATMs via cellphone this fall, but that doesn’t mean just dialing for cash. The bank will use NTT’s FeliCa e-wallet, a near-field communication system similar to one being tested by Cingular in Atlanta. Phones will be equipped with a special chip that will be able to communicate with the ATM. Customers will still be required to enter a PIN or password, so cellphone thieves won’t have access to accounts unless they also know the user’s PIN.

I received the following announcement from PNC Bank announcing the ending of cell-phone ATM access and the ntroduction of talking ATM’s. There is a list of locations at the end of the document. The
announcement seems to have been sent to those who participated in the cell-phone ATM access program.

The bank is headquartered in Pittsburgh and operates one of the largest ATM networks in America with more than 2,000 machines. In 1999, the bank was sued for failing to provide talking ATM’s. In January, 2001, a class action settlement was reached, pending court approval, and a pilot project initiated to provide ATM access for the blind through live operators reading ATM screens to blind end users listening to cell
phones at the machines. End users experienced lengthy waits to receive cell phones, long transaction processing times, frequent ATM time outs, inaccurate instructions, and botched transactions. In fall 2001, the blind community, through its leaders and national organizations, rejected this approach entirely through objections to the settlement filed in federal district court in Pittsburgh. The bank and those bringing the lawsuit withdrew the settlement before the court ruled on the objections.

Sumitomo Mitsui is the first national Japanese bank to offer cellphone access to ATMs; a smaller bank, Ogaki Kyoritsu, began offering a similar service in 2004, and NTT set up an experimental cellphone-accessible ATM the same year.

Verizon Wireless launches Motorola RAZR V3c in Pink

Pink cellphones certainly don’t fit Verizon’s typically sober and professional cellphone lineup, but hey, we can’t deny the intense appeal these things seem to have over, well, just about everyone — especially the fairer sex.The pink V3c is a lot more mellow than the magenta colored V3 that T-Mobile USA stocks.

Motorola RAZR V3 (aka Magenta). Now, Verizon Wireless decided to release the pink version of the Motorola RAZR V3c for the same price.

Features, of course, stay the same: 1.3 megapixel camera with 8x digital zoom, video capture and playback, MP3 player and BREW, Bluetooth and in addition, the Motorola RAZR V3c will also include V CAST multimedia service.

After T-Mobile’s success with the pink (nay, magenta) version of the GSM RAZR V3, Verizon Wireless are trying their luck with their own pink edition of the CDMA V3c, albeit in a much softer pastel shade of the color.

While feature-wise there is no difference between the new pink and original silver versions of the Motorola RAZR V3c, Verizon are choosing to launch the new edition for US$50 more than the original.

The Motorola RARZ V3c in Pink is available now for $249.99 with a 2-year service contract. Motorola is expected to launch the RAZR in more color schemes, but we haven’t heard exactly what colors.

IBM Applies for “DVR on Your Remote” Patent

Several blogs are reporting on a new patent recently applied by IBM claiming to store next generation DVR content onto your remote control. IBM’s new focus in seeking patents is to throw in as many gimmicks as possible in order to fend off any claims of prior art. How else to explain this recent application, seeking a patent for “retrospective television viewing?” The application seeks to patent instant replay functions. But not any old instant replay. These are instant replays on a DVR. In a picture-in-picture window. With the data stored in the remote control. Okay, IBM, you win.

The invention provides systems, apparatus and methods for recording a television broadcast, and a retrospective section of the record. These enable a television viewer to use a television control to select and store a retrospective section of a recorded television channel, while watching the channel.

The retrospective section typically comprises a section of the channel that has just been watched by the viewer, so that an immediate replay of the retrospective section corresponds to an “instant” replay. An example method includes the steps of generating a record of the television broadcast, and operating a television remote control to select from the record, while viewing the television broadcast, a retrospective section of the record. The method further may include storing the retrospective section in the television remote control. We’re pretty sure nobody’s covered this exact combo of features before. And we’re pretty sure nobody’s going to rush out and manufacture anything based on this either.

Fujistu N6410 Dual Core Notebook

Fujitsu added another model to its 2006 LifeBook N Series line-up at the 2006 Consumer Electronics Show, with the Fujistu N6410, based on the Intel Core Duo mobile technology. With this, the N6410 can be your next ideal desktop replacement.

Fujitsu Computer Systems has announced new LifeBook N Series and LifeBook E Series desktop replacement notebooks, among the first products powered by Intel Centrino Duo mobile technology. Debuting at the 2006 International CES, the LifeBook N6410 and LifeBook E8110 notebooks are equipped with the new dual-core, power-efficient Intel Core Duo processor, Mobile Intel 945 Express Chipset and next-generation Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG wireless technology, which combine to deliver an outstanding entertainment experience, advanced performance for handling multiple compute-intensive applications, improved battery life and expanded connectivity.

Consumers can look forward to some great features including the Intel 945 Express chipset and Intel PRO Wireless/3945ABG for 802.11 a/b/g wireless connectivity. A sure boon for gamers, the N6410 can handle multitasking with ease while producing amazing graphics on teh 17″ mega-monitor and great quality audio - be it watching movies or editing your own.
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