I can dig the hardware security and PIN mechanism of the Corsair "Flash Padlock,", along with its reasonable pricing of $29.99 for 1GB and $39.99 for 2GB. What I can’t dig quite as much is that I’ve ruined a few USB ports myself by accidentally pushing down on a plug. So, the idea of typing in the PIN while this things plugged into (what I believe are rather fragile) USB ports gives me the willies. Unless it’s a really light tough that’s required, or you have room to how with two fingers (you know, one underneath providing support) I’ve be worried about the wear and tear.

eKey’s Biometric Entry System allocates different tasks to your various fingers, along with a camera and intercom. Your first finger controls the door lock, scanning your second finger will arm/disarm the security system, and your third finger will send a distress signal. Imagine, if you will, that you are being held at gunpoint. Using that middle finger to send the emergency call just seems appropriate.

The Avurt IM-5 is kind of like mace on steroids. Rather than shooting out a non-lethal dose of electricity, this device that actually looks like a gun fires up to five rounds of "PAVA" powder (I couldn’t find a definition for this, but it sounds nasty) at the target. This powder creates a cloud around your attacker that causes severe stinging in the eyes, nose, and throat. It has a range of 40 feet with a built-in laser sight, making it far more effective than standard mace or pepper spray. Available today for $299.99 in multiple colors (yes, including pink), and comes with 10 practice rounds. Real rounds cost $39.99 in packs of 10.

I can’t think of any recent sci-fi movie that’s predicted as much near-term technology as Minority Report. First, there are all the touch-screen technologies with finger wagging and hand waving and such for arranging and accessing information. Now, Panasonic’s gone and developed an iris scanner that doesn’t require the scanee to concentrate on any given area. It uses a number of digital cameras to locate the iris and scan it, then identify the individual in only two seconds. A lot of practical applications, of course, like security checks and such, but I can’t help imagining walking through a mall and having my name called out. Just a little creepy, while also being pretty cool.

I am all for anything that makes the voting process easier, but is it wise to go with a flawed system? Oh wait, we are talking about California and "powers-that-be."

A review showed significant security flaws, which made the state impose new security measures. However, researchers trying to hack into the machines found vulnerabilities in each of them

In Diebold machines, "we were able to discover attacks for the Diebold system that could compromise the accuracy, secrecy, and availability of the voting systems," the report stated.

Hart software and devices "appear to be susceptible to a variety of attacks which would allow an attacker to gain control," the report said, while it was found that attacks on Sequoia machines "can be carried out without any knowledge of the source code."

But California Secretary of State Debra Bowen has cleared the Diebold, Hart, and Sequoia voting terminals for use anyway.