Stop Cell Phones Without Stopping Pacemakers...

metoikos writes "A company based in Fairfax, Virginia, has come up with a subtler method of preventing cell-phone addicts from using the world as a phone booth than a faraday cage or even those little hand-held jammers. Cell Block Technologies (that name must go over well with law enforcement) is developing a smoke-detector sized device which sends signals of 'no service' to cellphone frequencies, prompting phone to send calls directly to voicemail. Admittedly this is better than messing with everything that uses the same frequencies cellphones do . "

it's too bad...

[Requiem]

It's too bad nobody's developed first-post blocking technologies.

Thump thumb...

[lukewarmfusion]

My pacemaker just vibrated - I think I have a voice mail.

Cool!

[dsmey]

It would seem this has legal ramifications, but it seems like a genious idea. If only I could shut up all those damn chirping phones that go off in accounting class!!!

No Service

[jmpoast]

...sends signals of 'no service' to cellphone frequencies, prompting phone to send calls directly to voicemail. Admittedly this is better than messing with everything that uses the same frequencies cellphones do .

Does this mean my pacemaker will get 'no service' messages as well? That can't be good.

Department

[Anne_Nonymous]

>> from the ass-hole-arms-race-escalates dept.

I guess somebody is having a bad day.

Praise be!

[Dracolytch]

So how soon can my movie theater get these things installed???

~D

Wow, bet doctors will love this one...

[ClippyHater]

"Doctor, he could've been saved if only you'd have gotten the phone call!"

"That doesn't matter, nurse, the ring was destroyed and Sauron defeated!"


I truly hope folk don't use this on the sly. Should be law that where they're in use, HUGE signs in obvious-to-see places let you know you won't be getting any calls.

but...

[grub]

... what if I want to stop pacemakers?

DOS?

[alfal]

You know someone will use this as some sort of Denial Of Service gadget.... Walk down Wall Street with one and watch the craziness begin.

Re:it's too bad...

[nametaken]

Sure they have... it's usually called "Moderator Points". Not working today, though. :) Just kidding.

Re:but...

[Mr. Bad Example]

...what if I want to stop pacemakers?

There's clear precedent--you have to stop before you break my heart. Did The Supremes teach us nothing?

Re:This is a bad idea

[vitaflo]

My wife is due to have our second child in 3 days.

Your second child in 3 days?! I've heard of having "one in the oven" but your wife must have a microwave.

(early congrats btw)

I Have Mine of Vibrate

[Nintendork]

When I'm in a movie, I have my phone in my pocket on vibrate. I simply answer it, whisper for the caller to wait a minute, and walk out to the hallway. Nobody gets disturbed except for me. If people use this jammer, it's going to prevent me from getting calls that would disturb nobody else in the theater.

I'm waiting for a device that logs frequencies nearby that have recently received calls. If the ringer was loud and annoying, you can change their ringer to a loud, annoying song with lyrics to the effect of "I'm an asshole with a stupid ringer and I want everyone to hear my stupid little ringer song when they're trying to eat a pleasant dinner with their girlfriend. Somebody please punch me in the face."

No collateral damage this way.

-Lucas