[via Slashgear]

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As we’ve learned, Chinavasion is never far from the cutting edge of random and almost useless, but sometimes cool products.  I don’t know how many people have an aversion to using their cell phones at home or in the office, but just in case you’d like to obtain a more land line like experience without the actual land line, you can grab one of these: the Executive GSM Business Desk Phone.  It accepts a standard GSM SIM card and operates on the 850MHz and 1900MHz frequencies, making it compatible with both T-Mobile and AT&T.  It’s completely texting compatible and includes a rechargeable battery.  Yours for $67.91.

[via Technabob]

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I’m a little baffled by Oberthur Technologies latest offering, the SIMSense card.  The company says it’s the first motion sensing SIM card thanks to built-in  accelerometers and temperature captors that sense movement.  Does this mean any old handset can perform a given set of activities based on movement?  Their press release sites a number of examples, which are as follows:

• Busy call: simply by shaking or tapping the handset the busy recipient of the call can send a predetermined text message to the caller informing that they are busy and will call back later
• Menu selection: the user can locate the menu of services and applications just by shaking or tapping the handset
• Body fall: in an emergency (such as a person falling down) if the handset is close to the human body, the smart application is able to send a predetermined text message to a predetermined point of contact, such as relatives or dial for an ambulance

Sounds interesting and all, but I’m failing to see the real world application.

Release below
Oberthur Technologies announces SIMSense – the First Motion Detection SIM Card

Access a new Range of Innovative Services by Simply Tapping or Shaking the Mobile Phone – Using the First Ever Handset-Independent SIM Card

Mobile World Congress, BARCELONA, February 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Oberthur Technologies, one of the world’s leading providers of Smart Card based solutions announced today, its latest innovation, SIMSense – the first motion detection and the first handset-independent SIM card. This patent-pending technological breakthrough and revolutionary SIM card brings new opportunities for mobile network operators and convenience to their customers leading to a new era in SIM interaction.

“Through SIMSense, Oberthur Technologies demonstrates the power of SIM technology. I’m convinced that this innovative motion detection SIM card can significantly enrich customer experience, using any mobile phone and facilitate introduction of voice / SMS value added services by mobile operators,” said Xavier Drilhon, Managing Director, Card Systems Division at Oberthur Technologies.

The possible applications of SIMSense are based on incorporating accelerometers and temperature captors that enable motion detection. SIMSense allows mobile network operators to offer services which not only facilitate but improve in managing people’s daily lives, for example in the following situations:

- Busy call: simply by shaking or tapping the handset the busy recipient
of the call can send a predetermined text message to the caller
informing that they are busy and will call back later
- Menu selection: the user can locate the menu of services and
applications just by shaking or tapping the handset
- Body fall: in an emergency (such as a person falling down) if the
handset is close to the human body, the smart application is able to send
a predetermined text message to a predetermined point of contact, such as
relatives or dial for an ambulance

Over the past few years some of the major innovations in the mobile communications industry have encountered challenges due to handset compatibility issues; however, SIMSense is designed to revolutionize mobile communications since it can be used independently of the handset technology.

Holy flash drive of goodness.  The Multi-Card SIM reader can pull your best kept secrets (or numbers) off your SIM card, microSD or Memorty Stick card all via USB 2.0.  They’ve included a ‘Sim Editor’ and LED activity light for your convenience, but it doesn’t look like it has any of its own memory.

Available here

[RedFerret]