Pregnant women and children should not be subject to scanning, even though the radiation dose from body scanners is “extremely small,” said the Inter-Agency Committee on Radiation Safety report, which is restricted to the agencies concerned and not meant for public circulation. The group includes the European Commission, International Atomic Energy Agency, Nuclear Energy Agency and the World Health Organization.

A more accurate assessment about the health risks of the screening won’t be possible until governments decide whether all passengers will be systematically scanned or randomly selected, the report said. Governments must justify the additional risk posed to passengers, and should consider “other techniques to achieve the same end without the use of ionizing radiation.” - Bloomberg 

Stangely enough, I know a scientist who works with one of the groups mentioned above. This person mentioned this very issue just two days ago when I asked them about a recent trip and whether they had been body scanned. I see a future workplace safety issue here. Lawyers take note.

Rochester, NY, February 2, 2010—Skooba Design has announced that several of its new products are “iPad-ready”:The Netbook/iPad Messenger, Neo Sleeve, and RAPS “portable padding” are all available now.

The Netbook/iPad Messenger is a slim, lightweight but full featured courier-style shoulder bag with over a dozen pockets and organizer compartments. It has a dedicated, padded sleeve that’s perfectly sized for the iPad, with or without Apple’s optional leather folio cover. The sleeve also fits all popular netbooks, for those who prefer computers that fold. Available in 4 color combos at $49.95 suggested retail.

The Neo Sleeve is a stretchy, neoprene (wetsuit material) skin that hugs and protects the tablet, keeping it safe from the daily bump-and-grind, as well as the elements. And it’s “checkpoint-friendly,” so it can go through airport screening without taking the iPad out of the case—faster and much safer than throwing the tablet in a gray plastic bin. 4 color combinations, $19.95 suggested retail.

Skooba RAPS take a different, much simpler (and very economical) approach. These padded squares wrap around the iPad and self-fasten. The medium size wrap is perfectly sized to “origami” itself around the tablet, creating a nearly weightless, bulk-free envelope to protect the device in a school bag or briefcase.  Other sizes available too, to wrap and protect just about anything. The medium wrap retails for $14.95

Daily Mail: 

Heathrow Terminals 1, 2, 3 and 5 will see the scanners implemented in the next few weeks.

A Department for Transport spokesman said: ‘We understand the concerns expressed about privacy in relation to the deployment of body scanners, which is why we have drawn up a code of practice for their use.

‘This will ensure operators are separated from the passengers being screened, and these anonymous images are destroyed after scanning is complete.’

And the case of “scan everybody” advocates will be bolstered by this unsettling possibility: breast implants of death.

From RegHardware:

Apple CEO Steve Jobs was rather dismissive of the netbook at the iPad’s launch last night. He needed to be: he was trying to win over journalists and analysts who’ve spent the last 18 months or so asking when his company will release just such a product - and telling readers why it really should.

Jobs’ criticisms were certainly unfounded. He slammed them as “slow” and sporting “low-quality displays”. The problem with them, he said, is that ” netbooks aren’t better than anything”.

Wrong on most counts, Steve. (more)

TOM BIHN Introduces Two Bags for Apple iPad

January 27th, 2010

SEATTLE, WA — 

TOM BIHN (http://www.tombihn.com), a designer, manufacturer, and retailer of laptop and travel bags has introduced the Cache sleeve and Ristretto vertical messenger bag for the Apple iPad.

The Size iPad Cache

The Cache: http://www.tombihn.com/page/001/PROD/300/TB0350

The Cache is available in Size iPad - designed specifically for the Apple iPad. The Cache is designed to protect the Apple iPad against scrapes and scratches from all sides. Its 1/4” (6mm) thick foam padding laminated with an exterior of four-ply Taslan and an interior of brushed tricot cradles your iPad. The Cache for Apple iPad fits the iPad on
its own or encased in its Apple iPad Case. Made in Seattle. Lifetime Guarantee.

Available for pre-order; ships within 10 days of release of the Apple iPad. $30.

The Ristretto for iPad

The Ristretto for iPad: http://www.tombihn.com/page/001/PROD/300/TB0222

The Ristretto for Apple iPad is a vertical messenger bag with a interior padded compartment of .25” (6mm) open-cell foam that protects from all sides. The Ristretto for Apple iPad fits the iPad on its own or encased in its Apple iPad Case. Made in Seattle. Lifetime Guarantee.

Available for order; ships within one business day. $110.

The Cache and the Ristretto are available exclusively through the TOM BIHN website or Seattle Factory Showroom.

TOM BIHN has been designing and creating bags for over 30 years. The TOM BIHN Inc. headquarters and factory are located in Seattle, Washington, where the company is dedicated to creating quality products and quality jobs. The public is welcome to visit the TOM BIHN Seattle Factory
showroom and Retail Store and see where the bags are made. TOM BIHN products are available for order and worldwide shipping at the company’s website.