The winners for these questionable prizes are:
Worst Service: Foursquare
Worst Gadget: Teddyfone
Worst Technology: 4G (LTE)
Please, keep on reading to find out why.
I will also present more sustainable and healthier alternatives.
Worst Service: foursquare
(http://foursquare.com/
Have you seen these Microwave Zombies walking around and entering a bar or a restaurant ? OK, Foursquare is based on GPS coordinates. A user maps a location and the foursquare application must be running all the time in the mobile phone, so that it recognises when a user enters the mapped hot-spot. In that hot-spot the foursquare application sends automatically a message (mostly) through 3G data connection to the foursquare server. This way the foursquare status&commmunity is updated.
The Problem: Foursquare creates almost continues microwave bursts in certain spots (close to front door) every time a Foursquare user enters this location/building. Additionally, these burst are often directed to the stomach and genitials of the entering Foursquare user. (Are you still keeping you mobile phone in your pocket? Maybe you should not.) Unfortunately, the service is encouraging heavy users to collect badges and (some with low self-esteem) to become 'mayors' of that location.
In the future, I would like to see signs next to restaurants: "No foursquare mapping, thank you" or "Please, do not enter here with foursquare on".
BTW, there are also privacy problems in the foursquare, on purpose I am showing the twisted logo :-P
Healthier altenatives:
- A restaurant or bar with Twitter Stations. Yes, you heard it right. A special social networking computer attached to certain tables with table-build-in keyboard and mouse, with Ethernet-cable. Or with virtual keyboard and virtual mouse ala Photo Play style. Perhaps a TouchSmart-machine?!
- Passive RFID solutions with short range and low power. You just swipe your card at a RFID reader to let your friends know where you are.
Worst Gadget: Teddyfone (http://teddyfone.com)
What's the rush to irradiate babies and little children?
France and Russia, nations with longest experience on biological effects of non-ionising radiation have banned marketing of mobile phones to little children and warn about health-risks.
The Teddyfone manufacturer claims that "It is a Blue Angel product with low SAR-value". Wait a minute! Non-thermal effects are non-linear and low SAR value is no guarantee of safety.
The manufacturer encourages children to carry those Bearphonies close to child's heart and stomach. No hands-free can be attached to this device.
I am not the only one being upset about this.
Healthier alternative:
- Stationary mobile telephone (like Huawei ETS6630) - An external antenna can be connected (and installed on the roof), works also as a 3G modem. With external antenna hardly any RF-exposure.
- Carrying mobile phone in a special pouch reduces radiation exposure (of a child) more than 98 %. (Like Novonic e-blocker).
- Air Tube Hands Free (like BrainSaver from Smart&Safe or ENVi). No radiation will be directed to childs's ear channel since these products use the air tube technology.
Worst Technology: 4G (LTE)
Japan was the first test-bed of this technology. Here in Nordic countries we are also guinea pigs since this technology with its low-frequency variation is first piloted in Sweden, Finland and Norway. After the launch of 4G at 2.6 GHz in all larger cities, the next layout in Nordic countries will be in 800 MHz in smaller cities and in the countryside. Remember, the lower the frequency, the better microwaves penetrate through building walls and human body. Currently, 8 out of 10 epidemiological studies of base stations show increased risk. Historically, all microwave technologies have been harmful.
What happened when 3G was launched? Health effects of 3G were not properly tested. First provocation tests showed risks for sensitive and non-sensitive populations. EU Reflex-project documented DNA breaks. Still, the technology was launched, resistance was silenced and it was a big short-term business for governments. I say short-term, because the long-term health costs may be substancial. Update 15th March 2011: The minister of health in Israel is asking to delay 4G launch until health effects are tested.
The power of money is strong with 4G. Consumers are enchanted to believe that they need faster and faster mobile connections. No area on Earth will be left unradiated, thanks to huge 4G satellite projects. Hardly anyone understands (thinks about) health consequences or effects on nature.
Healthier alternatives:
- Light-based data transfer. Perhaps with directed lasers, no need to use high power/point at eyes.
- Super-fast DSL (like D-Link DSL 320B ).
- Wireless microwave technologies that are health-tested and noise is added to signal.
Any other Polluter of the Year -nominations?
Thanks for the update Mikko.
As we consumers who know about this are far and few in between, and as such have limited power, do you think it makes sense to also suggest ways to mitigate?
This means, that when one has to choose and use mobile devices it would make sense to choose and use them in a way that at least minimizes the radiation exposure.
Perhaps an article on this that has some web-related resources and suggested device use practices?
I'll start the ball rolling by copying some links here from a Finnish mobile phone forum about radiation measures of phones:
Some handling tips from Connect-magazine
http://www.connect.de/ratgeber/tipps-zur-handynutzung-376077,945.html
Fairly recent Connect-magazine list of lowest radiation phones*:
http://www.connect.de/ratgeber/alles-ueber-handy-strahlung-374582,287.html
* Using Connect's own independent lab with an updated radiation exposure methodology, better than the standard SAR(max) method.
Handywerte's phone radiation data database (incl.mfg SAR values and Connect strahlungsfaktor):
http://www.handywerte.de/php/suche.php#tabelle
Low-radiating HF-headsets (using a stethoscope tube), works with other phones with iPhone to Nokia adapter:
http://www.gigahertz-solutions.de/de/Online-Shop/Abschirmung/Produkte.html
User-directed radiation exposure lowering mobile phone covers (iPhone, BB):
http://pongresearch.com/products/
BTW, I am not affiliated with any of the companies, although I have as an individual customer ordered from Gigahertz Solutions Gmbh myself and will admit that I'm a happy customer.
I'll post under an acronym as my work issues don't allow me to be critical of mobile radiation health issues without potential repercussions.
Keep up the good work!
Posted by: truth_seeker | July 21, 2011 at 11:36 AM