I stopped and unplugged my laptop when I saw a story about how Sony is now shopping around for ways to start charging people for using electricity!
After further investigation, it states that they are looking into authentication kits for wall outlets. This device would lock out anyone not authorized to be getting electricity.
It would use a similar technology as NFC, as there would be wireless transfer of data between the outlet and an authentication system, which may, or may not be asking for money to plug in.
They would be used in apartment buildings in vacant units as well as some coffee shops. I can understand the first use, it would save money for an owner and keep people from leeching in abandoned apartments, but the second use is nefarious.
I don't want to ever walk in to an establishment that has "Free-Wifi" planted on their door, only to find that they have put the electronic equivalent to a parking meter on the outlets.
After further investigation, it states that they are looking into authentication kits for wall outlets. This device would lock out anyone not authorized to be getting electricity.
It would use a similar technology as NFC, as there would be wireless transfer of data between the outlet and an authentication system, which may, or may not be asking for money to plug in.
They would be used in apartment buildings in vacant units as well as some coffee shops. I can understand the first use, it would save money for an owner and keep people from leeching in abandoned apartments, but the second use is nefarious.
I don't want to ever walk in to an establishment that has "Free-Wifi" planted on their door, only to find that they have put the electronic equivalent to a parking meter on the outlets.
