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Smartphone/stun gun ranks as one of TSA's top finds for 2011

Undeclared firearms, inert landmines also grab TSA's attention during airport screenings

By Alpha Doggs on Fri, 01/06/12 - 11:39am.

stun gun/smartphone

Apple, HTC, Samsung, RIM and other smartphone makers are really outdoing themselves these days cranking out new must-have smartphones. But to our knowledge, none of them have yet gotten to the point where they've intentionally started to sell combination smartphones/weapons.

However, one enterprising traveler did get the Transportation Security Administration's attention at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) last year -- as recalled in a blog post from TSA about its top 10 good catches for 2011 -- by disguising a stun gun as a smartphone.  TSA wrote at the time: "Transportation Security Officers at LAX were 'stunned' when they discovered a smart phone. Not just any smart phone... It was a cute little pink smartphone that gave a whole new meaning to 'bad connection.' It was a stun gun."

The passenger gave up the device and was allowed to board the plane...

A surprising lack of other tech-related items made the top 10 list, which was filled out with such items as an innocent but scary looking science project and lots and lots and lots of guns.

Circle Bob on Google+. It's quite safe.

 

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About Alpha Doggs
The future of networking as seen through the works of university and other labs.

Our mission is to give you a peek into the future of networking by tracking "alpha" research at university and other labs and at companies based on this work. Your Alpha Doggs editor is Bob Brown, Network World Online Executive Editor, News.
 

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