Nearfield.org (via TUAW) brings us the above video, where innocent toys are scanned by an RFID-reading iPhone which then triggers media playback. Why?
This video prototype is basic and intended to open up for discussion and new exploration around the experience of media selection through physical objects. At the moment the interaction is a trigger, but what if the phone doesn’t just react as output but also as input to physical objects? How do we programme and manage our sets of media and applications in these objects?
Sounds good, but we’ve seen Terminator, the Matrix, and Battlestar Galactica and this is how it always starts. So, we pretty much figured The Powers That Be would be tagging and bagging us via RFID in one dystopian future or another. But going after our toys? Evil.
Still, there must be some use of iPhone and RFID that could be used for the good of humankind?
Prototype as in the early engineering test unit we saw briefly on Ebay and YouTube, we’re guessing. Apple had that pulled. Will they be able to pull the firmware now that it’s been leaked onto the internet? Probably not, but they’ll likely not be able to pull Steve Jobs and his iCommandos off the person who leaked it either…
If it’s not a gag, hoax, or other form for silly fun, getting a look at the origins of the iPhone OS could potentially help some developers… and some competitors.
UPDATED: YouTube pulled the previous video due to a copyright claim by Apple. Engadget is currently providing an alternate video. Get it while it lasts…
ORIGINAL: Dieter and I were just talking about the iPhone prototype up on Ebay, went to check the current price (previously over $2000), and found that it had been yanked off of auction. We’re guessing this is in response to a take-down request from Apple, who might claim physical or at least intellectual property rights over the device.
The YouTube video is still up for now, so enjoy it (while it lasts?)
