Hal, thanks for a very interesting post!! The key issue here is cost, IMHO. They say available next year. A one-chip solution would be the key ingredient to making this technology ubiquitous. That's the only way that fingerprint ID is going into mouses or any of several other proposed uses to augment network access and security. Optical scanners, IMO, aren't going to cut it down the road. But that's okay for IDX, as others have pointed out. Thompson is in the business of sellng chips, and businesses are now in the business of forgiing alliances with other businesses who can integrate their products into complete solutions for their customers. Does Thompson have relationships with law enforcement, or banks? I think not. We IDX owners should be excited about this development. I also take this opportunity to encourage all Commission members to add their thoughts on the subject of how a totally integrated system will be laid out. I.E., say we have a remote location (desktop, NC. whatever) that acquires a fingerprint(or an algorithm thereof). How is it transmitted securely to the host for verification. I think there are lots more questions to be asked and lots more opportunities here to get in front of the curve on related technologies. I like what I've found out so far about VONE, a small, underfollowed, tech leader (sound familiar so far?) in smart cards, and managed gateway access for using the Internet for private Intranets. They just announced a partnership with Raptor, the leading NT firewall co(who has (and who doesn't nowadays) a relationship with HEWLETT PACKARD!!!!!).
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