Being a Clear Registered Traveler may have some perks while traveling in the USA i.e. you can zip through airport security checkpoints in under three minutes.

Costing $99.95 a year, a Clear membership tells the airport security screener that you have passed a governmental background check and not on the most wanted list.

Clear is currently operating in 5 US airports i.e. Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky (CVG), Indianapolis (IND),New York JFK Terminal 7 (JFK), Orlando (MCO) and San José (SJC).

You can get ahead of the line by going to the assigned Clear lane, a Clear attendant will check your boarding pass, clear card and an approved photo ID. You’ll then be directed to a Clear verification kiosk where it’ll read your card, prompt for a biometric iris scan and scan your shoes for explosives without removing your footwear. Once you are verified, you’ll receive a stamp or receipt to proof your are a Clear member but will still be subjected to metal detectors or x-ray machines operated and regulated by the TSA.

This could be an advantage if you travel out of those airports. Continental OnePass Frequent Flyer members could do the same sort of thing for free (with enough airline miles). However, at the moment, I really don’t see the point if you still need to go through the standard security checks and if it still doesn’t assure you that you won’t be randomly searched or inspected. Clear has said that they will eventually offer full body scanners (in addition to what is currently available now) but unless that would have me bypass further security checks, I still believe it is a program that has little benefit and value.

Nevertheless, Clear currently claims to have over 35,000 customers. Kiosks are currently being in New York JFK T1, New York JFK T4, Newark Terminal B, Toronto Airport (YYZ) with over 20 more airports considering them.

The iPod/Nike Sports Kit that enables your Nano to gauge statistics about your workout via a Nike shoe sensor is under attack by wireless sporting company, PhatRat. PhatRat, based in Niwot, Colorado, is known for extreme/ hi impact sports performance devices like the airRat, a device for measuring sports performance while snowboarding, skiing or riding a BMX bicycle.

PhatRat claims in a lawsuit that both companies are infringing on technology developed by them in transmitting data from footwear to wireless devices, in their case a watch. The patent at issue is entitled “shoes employing monitoring devices, and associated methods.”

PhatRat is seeking a cash compensation and a court order prohibiting Nike/Apple’s production.

“Nike is aware of the complaint and is reviewing the allegations alongside our own intellectual property rights,” a spokesman for Beaverton, Oregon-based Nike told Bloomberg.

Read [Bloomberg]

We’re not that far into the new year and a few of us are still trying to keep some of those New Year’s resolutions, specifically the one that talks about losing weight.

And, arguably, one of the best things you can do to help you lose that roll you’ve built up by spending hours and hours squatting in front of your monitor is to drink more water. 8 glasses a day, so they say.

If you’re like me, that seems like an awful lot of water especially when you hate to drink it as much as I do. I have a hard time knowing when I’ve had enough for the day but now I’ve found some help.

The HydraCoach incorporates a LCD screen to help you keep track of your hydration goals throughout the day. HydraCoach will track how much water you’ve had, plus paces out the servings throughout the day so you don’t try to slug all 8 glasses down in 5 minutes just to meet your goal.

While I think that HydraCoach might come in handy, I’m not sure I’m willing to cough up the $30 necessary to get my water needs handed to me by a glorified sippy cup. I think I’ll just stick to slugging down all 8 glasses in 5 minutes.

Product Page [HydraCoach] via [CrunchGear]

SmartShopper is a device that allows you to say the name of a grocery item, electronically record it and when you are done, print it out from memory on an embedded thermal paper roll. It was recently awarded the 2007 International Consumer Electronics Show’s Design and Engineering award and named one of the top ten new products at the show,

Founded by Richard Brundisi and Gregory Vittardi, the SmartShopper has a built in LCD screen and is smart enough to categorize all items of the same type e.g. lists can be categorized by frozen foods, produce, toiletries etc. Its memory is jam packed with over 2500 grocery item types and users can add their own items and brands if they are not already there.

Another useful and unique feature that the SmartShopper is the “errand list”, a way to record and say the names of errands and to-dos needed at any time. The errand list can then be printed with the grocery list.

Run with 4 AA batteries, the SmartShopper retails for $149.99 and can be purchased from their website.

Detailed Technical Specs:

* Thermal Printer
The unit uses a built-in thermal printer which does not require any ink cartridges! The unit comes with three thermal paper rolls and replacements are readily available.

* LCD Screen
The large LCD Screen shows the items that have already been input into the unit in alphabetical order. The on-screen list is easy to read, with a 9 point font size.

* Batteries
The unit operates on 4 standard AA batteries. These are easy to replace when necessary, accessed by an easy opening door on the back of the unit.

* Size of Device
The SmartShopper unit is a compact 7 1/2″ x 4″ and is only 1 1/4″ thick.

* Materials
The unit is made out of a durable, hard plastic with a brushed aluminum front. This brushed look will make a great impression in any kitchen!

* Mounting the Device
The SmartShopper can be kept in three different locations in the kitchen. It comes with a strong magnet which allows adherence to the refrigerator. It can also easily be wall mounted, or simply kept out on the counter.

* Voice Recognition
The SmartShopper employs the power of Nuance’s Vocon 3200 engine. This speaker-independent voice recognition system makes it easy for any member of the family to use the device.

* Database
The unit recognizes nearly 2,500 items sold in your local grocery store in english. You can also add your own additional items to the database of your unit!

Product Page [SmartShopper]

You have heard too many times how jungle trekkers, even the most experienced, lose their way in the jungle. It can take rescuers days or even weeks to locate them by deploying search troops on the ground as well as aerial search teams. The cost for such operation is unimaginable. This product could put an end to the searching.

Introducing the Quantum Satellite Technology by Isaac Daniel. It is shoes with built in Global Positioning System (GPS) that can track you wherever you go.

The idea for the shoes came from Isaac Daniel’s own experience. His company bearing the same name had been producing shoes since 2000. In 2002 he got a call from an Atlanta school informing him that his son was missing. He flew from New York to Atlanta and by the time he arrived his son had been found. But the lingering fear of the tragedy led him to an idea of incorporating a GPS system into shoes.

He focused his company’s resources to develop a device that could use GPS technology and be hidden and protected inside the bottom of a shoe.

The challenge for engineers was to contain the GPS technology in a 2-by-3-inch computer that can survive rough and toughness of a shoe. They came up with a device that is weather-proof, shock-proof and can withstand the weight of a 300-pound person.

The company plans to target social networking circles, allowing users to, for example, find which bar friends are hanging out at on a Friday night.

It remains to be seen how successful this product can be with the privacy issues that surround it. Quantum Satellite Technology shoes are to hit stores in March at a price of approximately $325-$350. A limited number of shoes is available for sale on isaacdaniel.com and those ordering will receive it in February.

Product page [Isaac Daniel] Via [MiamiHerald.com]