While you weren’t looking, everything around you turned into a digital device.
Digital devices often have at least some memory or “storage,” and that means potential evidence.
I’ll skip over some of the most obvious items – desktops, laptops, servers, external disk drives, CD’s, DVD’s, backup tapes, etc. Clearly these all contain data. What about some other less obvious items?
Cell Phones/PDA’s
For some people, this is obvious, but some people still don’t realize how much information a cell phone or smart phone can hold. In addition to all the calls you’ve placed and received (including the date, time and duration), cell phones can contain email, text messages, photos, video and audio (music, but also voice recordings). In addition, many can be plugged into a computer and used as a regular storage device. So, that means they can contain documents, spreadsheets or any other type of file that is stored on a computer.
MP3 Players
Like cell phones, most MP3 players can be plugged into a computer and used as storage device.
Camera/Camcorder
Digital cameras store images and video as files, just like the files on your computer. Many camcorders now do the same.
TiVo/DVR’s
Digital Video Recorders are actually just computers, and they store all of your favorite programs on hard drives, just like the ones in your computer. Many video surveillance systems also store their video on hard drives or other digital media.
USB “Thumb” Drives
Ok, I could write for days about all the different wacky USB drives that exist now. Here’s a sampling to give you an idea of just how crazy this has gotten.
“Normal” Stuff
Pen – All sorts of pen flash drives exist.
Watch – The ultimate in geek fashion.
Credit Card – It’s not really a credit card, it just looks like one, but it WILL fit in your wallet.
Necklace – How a geek says “I Love You.”
idisk Diamond – FINALLY a flash drive I can store in my ear!
Toys
Rubber Ducky – For those who miss their days watching Bert & Ernie.
Teddy Bear – Even more disturbing than Bert & Ernie.
Food
Sushi – Maybe this is the kind of sushi that made Jeremy Piven sick.
Plate of Spaghetti – This is just…I…there are just so many issues…I don’t know what to say about this.
Fruits & Veggies, Chicken Wings, Hamburgers, Cookies & Crackers…whatever your tastes.
Other
Big Tiki drive – Obviously created by a “Brady Bunch” fan.
And, of course, the “Thumb” thumb drive.
Ok, that’s more than enough on strange USB thumb drives. You get the point.
Clothing
Yup, even your clothes can contain data. Well, kinda. The Audex Jacket from Motorola and Burton has built-in Bluetooth, speakers, cell phone and MP3 player controls and even a rechargeable battery pack.
Technically, it doesn’t really hold data itself – the MP3 player or phone does – but people have been working on integrating clothing and technology for decades, so a “100GB Jacket” can’t be far down the road.
Appliances
A friend of mine lived in Japan for a while several years ago. He still tells the story about how he couldn’t use his bathroom one night because his apartment building experienced a temporary power outage which caused his toilet to reboot. No sh…I mean, really!
LG came out with a “network enabled” refrigerator back in 2000 which never really took hold (maybe because it was over $10,000), but that didn’t stop them. According to their website, since that first refrigerator, “…LG Electronics has been providing most of its home appliances such as air conditioners, washing machines, microwave ovens, gas cookers, dishwashers and Digital TVs with networking capabilities.” Great, now I have to worry about my refrigerator telling on me when I break my diet!
I’ve only scratched the surface of everyday items that contain data. If you know of any I didn’t cover here, please post them.
That’s it for now – I have to go defrag my coffee maker.