I’m not sure I like this at all. In an effort to ‘protect’ consumers from the scourge of exploding batteries (and lower prices), NEC has developed software that detects “counterfeit battery products” in mobile phones and digital cameras. If the software simply detects that certain safety measures in place, but still allow for third-party batteries to be used, then that’s probably fine (at least until the cheapo battery manufacturers start spoofing the safety hardware). However, if this software means that only NEC-branded batteries work in NEC products, that’s going to be punch all of us right in the wallet, as NEC starts charging more per battery, likely under the auspice of “increasing prices due to more rigorous safety measures.”
You know how I detect counterfeit batteries? If they smell like ham, and then I put them in my mouth and they are delicious, usually that means they aren’t real. Otherwise, you know, if it’s powering my phone, it’s probably real enough for me.
Read – Software for Microcontrollers Verifies Authenticity of Mobile Phone and Digital Still Camera Batteries [NECEL via TheRawFeed]
