[Rhodes22-list] XM/GPS?

[John Lock]

On Jul 12, 2009, at 13:42, elle wrote:
> Nope..it was being installed for the first time.....while surfing  
> here at work yesterday I read that these techie types open new  
> devices *(Blackberrys, iPhones) etc to see what is inside...they  
> discovered that one (I forget which) had Bluetooth technology  
> inside; they released the info forcing the manufacturer to activate  
> it before they wanted to ....
>
> I also just read today that these RFID  chips are not secure as was  
> wide disseminated
> http://news.yahoo.com/technology
>  (link on this page)
>
> Not so farfetched methinks to have GPS capibility in the XM

An active GPS wouldn't trigger that kind of problem.  After all... the  
car is not going to stay in the same place all the time, so just  
moving it to another car would just look like a moving vehicle to XM.   
More than likely the XM unit sniffed out some details about its  
installed environment and sent those back to home base.  When placed  
in another car, it might have broadcast a different configuration and  
that triggered an alert at XM.

They might call that a "theft deterrent" feature - XM calls you if  
somebody installs your unit in a different car.  Others might consider  
it an invasion of privacy.  Big Brother is watching what you do and  
where you go (and what kind of car you drive).

I don't think there is anything in XMs subscription license that  
prohibits moving it into different locations to play it.  In fact, a  
number of manufacturers sell docking stations for home or office so  
you can pull the car radio out and plug it in where ever you may be  
(ala Rummy).

I also find it doubtful that the little XM unit (and stubby antenna)  
can broadcast back to a satellite in orbit and RFID has a very limited  
broadcast distance (30 feet or so).  I suspect there is cell  
technology embedded in the XM to make that call.  They already have a  
service called XM Mobile to broadcast signal to enabled cellphones.   
So clearly they are dabbling in that field.  Still, it's unsettling  
when your devices rat on ya!

Cheers!
John Lock
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
s/v Pandion - '79 Rhodes 22
Lake Sinclair, GA
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~