RFID

     Radio frequency identification are the next generation of bar codes. They will provide quicker checkouts at stores by labeling each item with a RFID code that can be scanned at checkout to make buying items faster and less of a hassle. Instead of the checkout we are all used to, however, checking out an item is as simple as putting the item in your shopping cart and leaving the store. A store RFID computer will register your purchase and likely charge your credit card the cost of the items. This would eliminate waiting in line and would likely give stores a better way to keep track of how many items have been sold of each item in the store.     

    This kind of tracking was only used for livestock in the past but today tracks items from their creation all the way to their finished spot in stores. Anything can be tracked from cars to medical patients. RFID may one day become too much a part of human lives because it may ultimately track the shopping habits of humans to better aid them in their shopping. RFID improves every year and may have negative side effects that give away too much personal information about all types of shoppers.

http://popsci.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/2007/09/13/rfid.jpg http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c7/Microchip_rfid_rice.jpg/220px-Microchip_rfid_rice.jpg  http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/gadgets/high-tech-gadgets/rfid.htm