Swatch Access Watches
- The Access Bit -
inc. Philip's MiFare Technology
It's the "smartcard" bit of the Access watches that makes them the most interesting, and the range of applications for them is growing almost daily...
I only recently confirmed, once and for all, that the Access 2 Swatches are infact build around Philip's MiFare technology. The original version is still a mystery, but I do know that the original has 1k of RAM and the MiFare-based Access 2 has 8k.
- http://www.semiconductors.philips.com/identification/news/id9703.html is the news article that links the two products
- http://www.semiconductors.philips.com/identification/products/contactless/mifare/ is Philips' info on their MiFare range.
Now, I've got that out of the way, I'm sure that I can search for any implementations of either the Swatch Access directly (ie; the 5th Element premier), or anything to do with MiFare. Other keywords and key companies are;
- Chip Application Technologies (C.A.T.). The best I can do for you on them is an Email address - cta@cta.com.au.
- SkiData designed the KeyWatch function. (Check out "Products" & "News" - look for "Keywatch")
- EVVA make keys for hotels, and have recently adopted the KeyWatch system from SkiData ("KeyCard PX-24" & "What's New")
- Gemplus are a big smartcard company. Their contactless cards (which are getting a little neglected in my opinion) are based on the MiFare technology. They have readers for the contactless cards, and PC/SC drivers for their other readers, so I guess we just wait and hope...