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May 1, 2008 4:26 AM PDT

'Micro Orb': A spy cam the size of a golf ball

by Mike Yamamoto
  • 1 comment
(Credit: BrickHouse Security)

Competition is fierce on the golf course even for amateur duffers, and some will go to practically any lengths to acquire the slightest advantage. And now there's a gadget that can give you a covert peek into your opponent's practice sessions if you can sneak it into his bag.

BrickHouse Security--the crazy outfit that's responsible for such gizmos as the "GPS Mail Logger"--has done it again with the "Micro Orb Spy Camera," a device that it says is the same size as a golf ball. This surveilling sphere records audio as well as video, so you can delight in all the expletives that will accompany every shank.

It records up to six hours of video at a time at 30 frames per second, but its battery lasts for only three hours at a time so plan accordingly. The incriminating evidence can be transferred with a 2GB microSD card. If you don't golf, BrickHouse offers some alternative uses--as a helmet mount, nanny-cam, and our personal favorite, a mannequin eyeball.

(Thanks for the tip, Bob)

February 26, 2008 3:23 PM PST

Spy gadget recovers deleted text messages

by Leslie Katz
  • 8 comments

Thought you could get rid of those incriminating text messages with a simple Delete? Not so fast, Tex. Gadget blogs are all abuzz over a little device that purports to enable users to recover and view deleted data stored on almost any cell phone SIM card.

Cell Phone SIM Card Spy (Credit: BrickHouse Security)

"Have you ever wished you can spy on your wife, husband, teens, or colleague's phone to see what they are up to? Are they being suspicious when on their cell phone?" asks New York-based BrickHouse Security, which also sells marijuana identification kits and all manner of spy cameras. It says it has the answer to your worst fears in the form of the $149 Cell Phone Sim Card Spy.

Simply place a SIM card into the tiny USB reader, and instantly save the data, including last numbers dialed and deleted SMS messages, to your PC. Sure, the device is also good for more benign applications like backing up cell phone contacts. But really, why use it for such boring pursuits when you can hack into your unsuspecting loved ones' secrets?

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