http://www.devicemag.com/2013/01/07/trackdot-tracks-your-baggage-and-informs-you-via-phone/ What’s the worst thing you encounter when you travel through air? Obviously it would be finding that you and your luggage are not in the same airport! Lost baggages are a frequent complaint among fliers, and some airlines wouldn’t even have a clue as to where these bags have trotted off. One person’s misfortune is another person’s gain, or so they say, so it’s no surprise that some folks have found a way to make money out of the incompetence of airline services. Globaltrac, based in Los Angeles, will be one among the many companies at CES this year. They will be displaying their Trackdot, which is a small, battery-powered device that aims to find you your bags. The device would be packed in one of your bags, and it will track the bag’s journey, irrespective of the airport it might end up in. The gadget uses GSM to send messages, as the Federal Aviation Authority won’t allow devices like these to use GPS. The messages are sent directly to the cell phone which you assign it to, and you can assign it to as many cellphones as you wish. So, next time you land at Heathrow, and you receive a message saying that your bag is at JFK, at least you will know where your baggage is, although it is a pain anyway. Read More: http://www.devicemag.com/2013/01/07/trackdot-tracks-your-baggage-and-informs-you-via-phone/
"The gadget uses GSM to send messages, as the Federal Aviation Authority won’t allow devices like these to use GPS."
Ahh..I much prefer my home made baggage tracker...its called "Pack an efficient carry on." Makes sure I always know where my bag is and so far, it has not been lost once!
I'll be surprised if the FAA actually lets people use these. The device will have to be on while in cargo, which means the battery will have to be in it, which means there's a chance of a short, and a fire.
Per FAA, battery powered devices need to be protected from accidental power on, but nothing says they can be powered on purpose... With March release date, I suspect there is no issue here.
Hmm... I guess I have always seen the instructions and assume they just meant all batteries must be pulled for stuff in checked bags. This device also has another problem: if an airport mode phone or tablet will "interfere" with instruments, won't this, since it'll be trying to connect to GSM towers constantly?
As this is essentially a specialized cellphone, don't the same rules apply as for cellphones carried by passengers? Turned off completely for take-off and landing, no cellular radio enabled during flight.
