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To: MaryinRed who wrote (16935)	1/6/2001 9:15:14 PM
From: Jon Tara	Respond to of 18366

Mary, the last thing I want is a portable spam-magnet. :) I'm surprised that the article didn't mention Bluetooth, as this is an often-touted application of the technology. I believe it's one of the scenarios sketched-out on the Bluetooth SIG's web site. (See bluetooth.com - yes, .com not .org - don't make the mistake of going to the .org site - some company snapped it up first...) Bluetooth does get around some of the disadvantages mentioned in the article, as it's a short-range technology that, though it will be built-in to your cell phone (and other devices), will communicate without using the phone company's facilities. So, some of the privacy issues are alleviated. Bluetooth devices do have unique IDs, but there is no central system of registering end-users. (Yet.) However, companies could use the Bluetooth IDs in a manner similar to "cookies", so if you ever use your Bluetooth phone to "register" for something in a store, they've literally "got your number" at that point. It raises similar issues to how some ad networks have used cookies, sharing them between sites, etc. It's still a dumb idea, IMO, though. Who wants their phone ringing all the time urging them to buy stuff?