Web language set to boost biometrics. A standards group is hoping that XML will provide a standard way for computers and technology to describe human characteristics such as fingerprints and the contours of a face. [CNET News.com]

A new DTD and schema from OASIS [2] to describe biometrics. By having a standardized and well structured language, data can flow freely between agencies and governments, minimizing translation issues, and speeding the flow of information.

Short Term: Passports become infinitely harder to dupe, as you need not only the sheet itself, but the iris, hand (for fingergeometry/bone structure)  fingerprints and DNA of the person you are trying to pass yourself off as. Further, it makes positive ID's easeir, as the likelihood of someone having your DNA, fingerprint, palm print, and facial structure being anyone BUT you drops dramatically.

Long term:

1. Doors unlock for you based on a combination of your Biometric information, any Speedpass or iButton type of tech you are carrying, and a VoiceML based set of codewords. If you are being forced into your home/car you could give a particular phrase that sets off a silent alarm as you enter, contacts the police (and gives them a feed of what is happening inside the home) as well as turning on cameras that will document your attackers movements throughout the house using motion sensors.
2. You can have your measurements on hand for custom clothing that fits you and you alone, based off your bone structure and how you move. Gloves that are cut so precisely in their dimensions that you maintain the feel of what you are handling. Shoes and other clothing that is just for you, made on demand either from raw stock in the back of the store, or is shipped to you from the factory.  
3. A truly Universal Gym that moves like you do, adapting to your size and prior workout history in terms of resistance and goals.

3:30:28 PM    

McNealy discounts Ellison's big server death comments [IDG InfoWorld]

Ellison seems to maintain that there is going to be a shift to more horizontal, clustered computers, as opposed to the monolithic towers that have domainated server space. By having your system clustered, you could effectively bring up (and down) serves as needed, rotating in ones you need for heavy loads, and then farming them out when it is slow for useage elsewhere.

2:39:16 PM    

Hack Turns iPod into PDA [Slashdot] Direct link to the software here.

Neat idea: Use the Artists menu of the iPod to navigate your contact list, or any other form of ordered list that you care to have.  It would be interesting to tie an iPod onto a portable LCD screen as the removable core of the system,  so that while the machine is useable without it, it is personalized for you when you plug in your iPod.

This could lead to public computing stations that can be used without the iPod, but which have far greater functionality (stored links, personal contact info) when you are plugged in.

1:33:51 PM