// Intelligent Textiles: Your Wardrobe of the Future?

Scientists at the Wearable Computer Laboratory at the University of Australia have confirmed that it is possible to embed cameras, microphones, accelerometers, and GPS units into clothing. Over the last ten years, researchers have been exploring the implications of different kinds of sensors inserted in clothing—smart clothes that repel insects and odors, garments that prevent the flu and do not require laundering, and a smart bra that can detect breast cancer early on.

// Legislators Close a Door, Delta Air Opens a Window

Amid news that a bill (aptly titled the HANG UP Act) could prohibit mobile phone use on planes, Delta has announced that it will outfit its entire domestic air fleet with Wi-Fi. Delta expects passengers will be able to get internet access on wireless-enabled laptops, PDAs, and smartphones by the middle of next year. Passengers can fly with Wi-Fi for $9.95 on flights shorter than three hours and $12.95 on longer flights. Better yet, American Airlines, Virgin America, and Jetblue to follow suit!

// IKEA Mobile Phone Service (No Assembly Required)

This week, IKEA is expanding it’s offering to shoppers in the United Kingdom with the launch of its Family Mobile phone service. Now in addition to purchasing the usual bookshelves, bureaus, and bedspreads, loyalty card customers can take advantage of a pay-as-you-go service run on the T-Mobile network.

// Is Apple Up to No Good?

Apple reportedly has the ability to remotely deactivate unauthorized iPhone applications. This is enabled through a blacklisting mechanism included in iPhone OS 2.x, according to Jonathan Zdziarski, who performed a forensic examination of iPhone 3G. According to Jonathan:

“This suggests that the iPhone calls home once in a while to find out what applications it should turn off. At the moment, no apps have been blacklisted, but by all appearances, this has been added to disable applications that the user has already downloaded and paid for, if Apple so chooses to shut them down.”

So, is this remote ability a necessary precaution to prevent malicious applications or a disturbing invasion of privacy? While Apple has not actually confirmed the intended use of this kill switch and the possibilities are merely speculative at this point, discussion boards are buzzing.

// IBM Open Sources Supercomputer Code

At this week’s Linux World Conference and Expo in San Francisco, IBM launched its first certified open-source software for supercomputers based on Linux. IBM also dropped a not so subtle hint to Microsoft by announcing it will partner with Canonical/Ubuntu, Novell, and Red Hat to develop a “Microsoft-free” PC slated for next year.

// 8 “Rich” iPhone Owners Paid for the Red Ruby Reminder

It turns out that within 24 hours of the I Am Rich iPhone app release, 8 people actually paid the $1000 to get it. The app, which is literally just a picture of a red ruby, has since been removed from the App store, but not before the developer Armin Heinrich racked in about $6000 in proceeds.

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