Fabric Displays

Philips have been interested in making clothes with wearable displays on for a long time but have never managed to work out the logistics of it.

The main problem has been that the liquid crystals which are used in flexible displays are usually only existing in a glass- like state which means it limits the amount the can bend.

However, breakthrough!! Philips think it may be possible to build liquid crystals displays which are a lot more flexible by imprinting a cell-like structure onto an ordinary fabric using a stretchy elastomeric material such as silicone to create each pixel.

The pixels would then be filled with a flexible electro- optical material like a non- glassy liquid crystal or a plasma. Conducting fibres within the material then make each pixel addressable. The result is a display that has the same material properties as a fabric.

Could this be the future of clothing..? Using your clothes to display personal fashion statements or displaying information on your t-shirt!

My Dad received one of these recently, this is the article from their website. This shows that new technology is allowing people to do more advanced things whilst also being safe within their homes. This device makes people feel safer about online banking and encourages them to be more web friendly.

18 April 2007


Barclays introduces 'PINsentry' - pioneering new security for online banking



Barclays is sending out handheld chip and PIN card readers to online banking customers in a pioneering anti-fraud initiative.


Later this year, Barclays customers who use their online bank account to set up payments to new third party accounts* will begin using PINsentry devices. The devices will be used together with the customer’s normal debit card and its PIN, to authenticate their identity at log in and for making certain payments. This will replace the need for passcodes and memorable words.

This is the latest in a series of Barclays initiatives to increase the security protection for online banking customers – last year it offered free anti-virus software as well as a SMS text message confirmation service to online customers. As a result Barclays online banking won Anti-Fraud Strategy of the Year at the prestigious 2007 Financial Sector Technology Awards.

Over half a million customers will be automatically sent free PINsentry card readers and instructions by the end of the year, with this number increasing further as more customers are added to the service. The remaining customers will not need PINsentry at this stage – it will only be needed by those who use online banking to set up payments out of their account to a new third party for the first time. Customers who simply wish to use online banking to view their accounts and pay bills to established payees will be able to continue to use online banking as normal without the need for PINsentry.

Barnaby Davis, Director for Electronic Banking, said: “Barclays is constantly working to help protect customers and their money and that is why we have invested in this system. PINsentry is the next generation of fraud prevention technology and Barclays is proud to be the first organisation in the UK to roll it out to its customers.

“The popularity of Barclays online banking service comes down to convenience and security and the introduction of PINsentry will enhance both of these features.”

Picture of Second Life

Article on Second Life

Five News uncovers dark side of virtual world Second Life
Issued: October 30, 2007
[Tuesday 30 October at 1130, 1730 and 1900 on Five News]
· Virtual paedophiles act out sick fantasies · Zones that encourage rape and torture Second Life, the popular 3D virtual world, is home to a growing number of virtual paedophiles acting out their fantasies, according to a Five News investigation to be broadcast today (Tuesday 30 October) at 1130am, 5.30pm and 7pm on Channel Five.

As a result of the Five News investigation CEOP, the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Agency, will be sending a team of virtual detectives – controlled by real-life officers - into Second Life and other on-line communities to try to infiltrate the growing number of paedophile networks exploiting virtual worlds.

Jim Gamble, chief executive of CEOP, told Five News: "We'll use under cover detectives as and when appropriate. We'll infiltrate theses rings whether they are in Second Life, in chat rooms, using social networking environments, peer groups or outside local youth clubs in the real world."

He said: "We talk about the virtual arena as if it is somehow unreal. Virtual crime has real victims, ultimately and we have seen it time and time again. My concern is that when they step out of the fantasy world they bring that fantasy with them into the real world and they ultimately seek to act that out. We're talking about adults in an environment where they are fantasising about brutal acts of sexual intercourse with children."

Five's Crime Correspondent Jason Farrell discovered a dark side to Second Life, which has a population of over 9 million, including areas where the rape and torture of other computer-generated characters, or avatars, is encouraged.

Farrell turned virtual undercover reporter for several months. During this time he witnessed both the positive side to Second Life - where you can find a real life job, learn about campaign groups, go dancing and even test drive a car - and the negative, disturbing side.

In one virtual island he discovered what looked like a real life playground called Wonderland, hidden behind a shopping centre. But the child-like avatars here were not just playing on swings, they were offering sex for Linden dollars, the currency used in Second Life that can be converted into real dollars.

Farrell said: "There were virtual children of all ages, even toddlers. After talking to one child I was offered a range of sordid and sick sexual acts. My avatar had entered a virtual paedophile ring. Obviously, I declined the offers and reported my disturbing findings to CEOPS."

Five News Editor David Kermode said: “What Jason Farrell’s investigation discovered is shocking. However, it is at least encouraging that our findings have prompted the authorities who try to police the net to take action.”

Every avatar and every zone is controlled by a real person. The child avatars are more than likely controlled by male adults. Second Life has become the perfect place for paedophiles to meet and encourage one another’s fantasies; and, if they want to, swap real images of child abuse.

The Home Secretary Jacquie Smith said today she was planning to publish a consultation paper on whether to outlaw virtual imagery of child abuse used in virtual on-line worlds.

She told Five News: “We are concerned about the way in which using computer generated images people might be developing a set of behaviours that could then go on to used to harm children.”

NSPCC policy advisor Zoe Hilton said: "It is not okay to fantasise about this stuff. These kind of interactions need to be shut down."

Jason's will be broadcast on Five News today (Tuesday 30 October) at 1130am, 5.30pm and 7pm on Channel Five.

Ends