Posts Tagged ‘spy gadgets’

Spy Gadgets – Used to Increase Celebrity?

Thursday, September 24th, 2009

More and more celebrities and people wanting to become celebrities are doing whatever possible to get publicity or sustain existing publicity. Sex tapes, rehab stints, and DUIs have all become common strategies for the Hollywood young to bridge the gap from reality show contestant or C list star to A list material. However, spy gadgets and surveillance equipment being used as a tool to make that transition is new territory, but that is what is rumored to have been the tactic ESPN sportscaster Erin Andrews may have chosen.

Recently, a video has surfaced on the Internet that shows Ms. Andrews in a provocative manner. The surveillance video is not of high quality and appears to be taken by a hidden camera or some other form of surveillance equipment. The surveillance type hidden camera recorded Ms. Andrews in her hotel room bathroom preparing her hair, make-up etc. The hidden surveillance camera essentially recorded her doing what appears to be a standard morning routine, however, what makes the video intriguing to people is that the surveillance camera captured all of this while she was partially nude.

Spy gadgets have always been popular with people interested in new technological innovations, but never has a spy gadget been used to increase celebrity. Because of Ms. Andrews’s initial reactions to the surveillance video leak and how the video portrayed her in a very flattering view, rumors are now swirling that the hidden camera video was taken by Ms. Andrews herself or her associates. Ms. Andrews has stated publicly that the spy gadgets that recorded her in the nude were placed by an outsider and not from her internal group.

We may never know the truth behind this highly publicized story regarding hidden cameras and surveillance equipment, but one thing is certain that hidden camera incident has pushed Ms. Andrews more into the spotlight. People will always try to achieve fame in any possible way and this could potentially be another unusual form of that. Spy gadgets that were once only used by law enforcement or tech-savvy individuals have become so user-friendly and cost-effective that anyone could use the surveillance devices. There is no doubt that these spy gadgets will continue to grow in popularity and more stories like this may surface in the future.

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Posted in Surveillance | 1 Comment »

Spy Gadgets

Monday, September 21st, 2009

Whether it is I-Spy, Spy Kids or some other kid’s television show or cartoon featuring the latest in fictional technology, children are constantly in awe and amazement of cool and fun spy gadgets. These exciting little fictional spy gadgets help the good guys capture the bad guys and do so with flare and drama. Although many of the spy gadgets are completely fictional, such as a watch that can send you back in time, some are actually adaptations from real-life James Bond type spy gadgets such as:

  • A pen camera that can record conversations and situations.
  • A GPS tracking device that can tell you anywhere a car is.
  • A recorder that can change the tone and sound of your voice.

When the topic of spies and spy gadgets was brought up to a group of elementary school children in a local southern California school, the mood quickly changed from boredom to excitement. The children began acting as if they were spies, making their hands into guns, rolling on the floor pretending to evade a bad guy, and all sorts of other goofy things. The children were then asked to take a piece of paper and write down 5 spy gadgets that they think would be useful or cool. The spy gadgets did not have to be real so the kids were allowed to use their imagination and write down anything they thought would be a cool or useful spy gadget. Here are the top 5 answers the children wrote down.

Spy Gadget #1

A pencil that knew the answers to the questions of the homework assigned.
Almost every kid wrote down some form or variation of an object such as a pencil or pen that could provide them the answers to their homework or to a test. Many of the kids wrote that if they had a spy gadget that would answer the questions for them that they would then have more time to go outside and play.

Spy Gadget #2

A trash can that made the trash disappear so it never had to be emptied.
A spy gadget that could make trash disappear was number 2 on the list. Although the concept is not very spy-related, it would be very functional. The children didn’t only write about the trash can that made trash disappear because they would have to take it out, but rather a concern over garbage, land-fills and liter. It was suprising to see how many children were consoious of the environment.

Spy Gadget # 3

A clock that could make recess longer.
The third most popular fictional spy gadget is pretty self-explanatory, a clock that would allow recess to be longer. The kids would be able to move the hands of a clock to extend recess so they could play with friends longer.  Nobody wrote about not wanting to be in class, but rather they simply wanted to play for longer amounts of time. Socialization is key to a child’s development so extending recess to increase peer-interaction may not be a bad thing.

Spy Gadget # 4

A pill that made people not sick.
The first 3 spy gadgets were all school or home related, but the popular response about a pill that would help people who were sick was the first that was not. Showing compassion and an awareness for people who were sick or in pain was something many faculty did not think the children would write about or even seriouslt thought about. Schools tend to be one of the more popular breeding grounds for colds; therefore, many children probably have had some personal understanding or experience of illness. Either way, a pill that would be able to heal someone or prevent someone from being sick would be amazing.

Spy Gadget # 5

A card that would get them out of trouble (essentially a get out of jail free card)
The final spy gadget was a card that a kid could use to get out of being grounded or any other type of trouble. Basically, the spy gadget is a “Get out of Jail free card”. Kids are always testing boundaries and seeing what they can and cannot do, this card would essentially allow them to do whatever they want. Although some kids are allowed to do whatever they want, this would probably be a spy gadget that most parents would not want to see.

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Posted in GPS Tracking, Surveillance | 2 Comments »

Spy Gadgets Becoming in High Demand for Law Enforcement & Consumers

Monday, September 21st, 2009

No longer are the sleek and stealthy tools that popular movie characters such as James Bond and Michael Bourne used in their adventures unavailable for every day Joe and Jane consumer. Spy gadgets such as GPS tracking systems, pen cameras, keystroke loggers, and all other forms of hidden surveillance equipment are leading the way in what has now became over a billion dollar industry.

In the past, only the tech-savvy elite were the typical consumer base for this now booming market. However, as technology advanced the unique spy gadgets that were once not very cost-effective and seen as a novelty for the general public are now affordable, practical, and essential. Law enforcement agencies, businesses, and suburban families are utilizing the technology growing from this ever-advancing market to better improve their operations, management, travels, and more.

Law enforcement agencies have benefited dramatically from the adaptation of spy gadgets from the movies to the real-life. GPS tracking systems and vehicle tracking devices are now used on a daily basis by all forms of law enforcement agencies from the federal, state, and local levels. The price of a standard GPS tracking system has fallen to a reasonable price as they now sell for anywhere between $199.00-$599.00. These tracking systems are multi-functional for the law enforcement authorities and are now considered essential. Whether the GPS tracking systems transmit data that can be viewed in real-time or manually downloaded to a computer for future viewing, there is no doubt that they are now a law enforcement staple. GPS tracking law enforcement applications include:

Monitoring suspected criminal behavior such as potential drug traffickers or child molesters
GPS tracking of internal staff to validate driving activity and reports.
Accounting for mileage driven.

GPS tracking devices have led to the arrest of arsonists, burglars, car thieves, child molesters, and murderers.

Businesses can also benefit from the implementation of vehicle tracking devices. Vehicle tracking or GPS tracking systems can be used to verify jobs completed, mileage driven, and help in routing. Employers can use real-time GPS tracking technology to see exactly where a staff member is at that time and get a gauge for how long they will be at a certain job. Or for a more cost-effective approach, can put a passive GPS tracking system on the company vehicle and view the data at the end of the business day to verify all stops and jobs completed. This tracking system technology can lead to increased profits and efficiency.

Not only are law enforcement agencies and businesses improving from the implementation of GPS tracking technology in everyday operations. Families are now becoming one of the largest consumers of vehicle tracking technology. Whether a family has a teenage son or daughter just beginning to drive or an older family member losing the ability become self-reliant, a GPS tracking system can alleviate stress and fear. It is common knowledge that teen drivers are the group that is involved in the highest frequency of car accidents. A vehicle tracking system will not only give parents a detailed driving report of where a teen has been, but it will also provide, date, time, and location, and duration. GPS tracking systems can be used to monitor curfew times, how fast the car was being drove, or if a teen really was staying the night at their friend’s house. All of this vital information can be accessed at a cost-effective rate with no monthly obligations with certain tracking systems.

Passive GPS tracking devices are great tools for parents of teens, but when an elderly parent or family member begins to have diminshed abilities and cognitive patterns a real-time GPS tracking device is the only solution. Real-time GPS tracking technology allows users to view all the crucial information to ensure a family member’s safety. A real-time GPS tracking device will allow the user to remotely access where a vehicle is located, how long they have been stopped, and everywhere they have been. It is very common for elderly persons struggling with debilitating diseases such as dementia to get lost or confused. A real-time tracking system will provide a family with the comfort of knowing if that situation were to occur that the situation could be taken care of.

As functional and useful as GPS tracking systems have become for law enforcement, business, and family applications, many other unique spy gadgets have made the transition from James Bond tech to law enforcement/ personal tech. Hidden cameras are now used frequently by law enforcement authorities because of their flexibility to blend in with many different environments. Hidden cameras are used to gather information from mobsters, street gangs, and other deviant groups to prevent potential crimes or capture crimes as they take place. Hidden cameras come in a variety of shapes and forms and range in price from $99.00- $1,000+. Here is a list of some of the more popular variations of hidden camera technology:

Alarm clock hidden cameras
Pen cameras
Key-chain spy cameras
Lighter spy cameras
Tissue box cameras
Air purifier camera
Smoke alarm camera
Emergency light cameras
“Nanny” cameras

All cameras can be found in a wide range of different forms, from wireless, colored, to having the ability to record to a memory card or remote accessed via a computer.

Hidden cameras are also implemented by businesses to monitor a variety of important activities. Fortune 500 companies such as Wal-Mart use these hidden cameras to not only monitor potential store-theft, but also parking lots to ensure customer safety.

Although most hidden camera technology is used as theft-prevention or customer safety for businesses, everyday families are finding the technology more than useful. Hidden cameras, better known as “nanny-cams”, have grown more and more popular as both parents are moving into the workforce and having to hire help for the children. These remote cameras are used for recording the events that occur inside the household while the parents’ maybe away working or just out for a night on the town. The data recorded from the hidden cameras can be recorded to a memory card for later viewing or a parent can watch remotely live. Nannies, baby-sitters and other guest should be on the their best behavior as these spy gadgets have became commonplace and are always watching.

Nanny-cams are not the only application for these types of hidden cameras with family members. With a turbulent economy and unemployment reaching unimaginable highs, more and more people with job security are working more hours to ensure their productivity and job placement. Setting a camera in the living room and monitoring it remotely from a PC at work can give working parents a feel that they are still home and engaged with the daily trials of home-life. This is a very low-cost way to be involved.

Regardless of the type of surveillance technology being used, whether it be a GPS tracking system or hidden camera in the form of a pen camera, alarm clock camera, or some other variation, it is clear that spy gadgets are moving away from the movies and into the home. With surveillance technology becoming smaller and more cost-effective it is only a matter of time before we are all James Bond.

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Posted in GPS Tracking, Surveillance | 3 Comments »