April 27, 2004
Louder Camera Phones?
Obviously not all lawmakers abide by Edward R. Murrow's wonderful saying: "We will not be driven by fear into an age of unreason", as "US Assemblywoman Sarah Reyes has introduced a bill that would require cell phone companies to make the camera feature audible, so those nearby would know a picture was being taken. The proposal will go through its first legislative test next week in the Assembly Utilities and Commerce Committee", reports ABC Action News.
As mentioned before, as cameraphones become more prevelant, people will become more familiar with these handsets and how people use them - and are likely not be caught off guard so easily.
After all, you don't hold your cameraphone the same way to take a picture than you do when talking or texting. An interesting post in Keitai Log last September, describes how in Japan people now recognize someone taking a picture with a cameraphone, based simply on their posture. And why the double standard with digital cameras?. They come as small as a credit cards. cf Do phone cameras have to make a sound when digital cameras can be silent?
Camera phone paranoia can only be caused by it's dual function, taking a picture and being able to send it with immediacy. These two technologies combined obviously continue to fuel lawmakers imagination of worst case scenarios.
The Permanent Link to this page is: http://www.textually.org/picturephoning/archives/2004/04/003659.htm