Here's a good overall summary of the :CueCat issues. "The Privacy Foundation recently completed a technical evaluation of the :CueCat bar code reader. This handheld device, which is similar in appearance to a computer mouse, is a product of Digital:Convergence Corp. of Dallas, Texas. Hundreds of thousands of these devices are currently being distributed free of charge to consumers through partner companies including Radio Shack, Wired magazine, and Forbes magazine. The company has announced plans to distribute 10 million devices by year-end 2000 and 50 million devices by year-end 2001.
The :CueCat is promoted as an easy way for consumers to visit Web sites on their PCs by scanning bar codes that have been included in catalogs, magazine articles, and printed advertisements. By using this device consumers no longer have to enter URLs in their browser to go to a Web site to learn more about a product, a service, or a particular subject."
The link for this article located at PrivacyFoundation is no longer available.
