If you visit any IT market, you will find different kinds of spy products jostling for spacealongside other computer accessories, and they are equally popular amongst the buyers.Here’s what all the hype is about.
From a person in a black trench coat, a hat, and dark goggles hovering around furtively while smoking a pipe, to a well built, larger than life persona driving fast cars a la James Bond, the way spies have been portrayed has undergone many changes over time, as have the gadgets used by them; from magnifying glasses, binoculars, and invisible ink to futuristic gadgets that seem to achieve the impossible. There has always been a craze for such spy products; some buy them out of sheer curiosity, while others do so for practical purposes. While selling these products is not illegal, it’s up to the person buying them to decide which side of the law he or she wishes to be on. We came across a company named Globex Computer Services that has been dealing in spy products under the Krish brand name for the past five years. “We have more than 150 products in the market and they cater to various needs of the customers. These products are popular amongst people from all walks of life, be it corporates, students, detectives, security personnel, enthusiasts, etc. While we sell the products within the legal parameters, ultimately it is the responsibility of the end users to use them sensibly and not indulge in illegal activities,” says Neeta, the CEO. They import these products from China and off er a warranty ranging from six months to a year. Here we take a look at some of the popular spy products:
PEN
First up is the legendary pen camera. It boasts of a 2 megapixel sensor, and you can use it
for video recording or as a digital camera for still images. With two hours of charging, it can record video for 90 minutes at a stretch. It can also be used as a webcam. It has 4 GB of
built-in memory allowing you to also use it as a fl ash drive.
PRICE: Rs 2,350
MP3 PLAYER
The MP3 player spy camera is a rather strange combination. It functions as a normal MP3 player and when you want to, you can use it as a spy camera too. The 1.3 megapixel camera situated next to the controls can be used for recording 90 minutes worth of video at a stretch. Its 8 GB built-in memory can store plenty of music as well as your recordings, and can be transferred to your PC using the USB cable. The battery allows for up to four hours of music playback.PRICE: Rs 2,550
TIE
Spy cameras camoufl aged in clothing are also very popular. The spy camera weaved into a tie is particularly hard to spot. The camera is a tiny speck on the surface, while its machinery is on the inside. Its 1.3 megapixel camera is ideal for video recording for up to 90 minutes. It has 4 GB of built-in memory and the data can be transferred to your PC with the help of a USB cable. You can operate the camera with the help of a tiny remote that can be kept inside your pocket.
CAP & BUTTON
Besides ties, you also get cameras that can be places in a cap or a button. The cap spy camera is again well camoufl aged and has 4 GB of built-in memory on which it stores the recorded video. The camera can be controlled with the help of the remote control and also with the help of buttons on the inside of the cap. The only downside is that you will feel the camera vibrate every time you switch it on.
PRICE: Rs 4,000
The button spy camera, on the other hand, is a neat little device that can be fi xed in the button hole of your shirt. It doesn’t come with a remote, so operating it can take some practice. This camera has a microSD card slot, allowing you to record up to 8 GB worth of video via its 2 megapixel sensor. The camera functions as both a video recorder and for still images.
PRICE: Rs 2,350
WATCH MOBILE
Lastly, there’s the three-in-one device, which incorporates a mobile phone, a spy camera and a watch. Called the Mobile Watch Phone, this cool device is a fully functional mobile phone that features a touch screen and a stylus. It comes with a 4 GB memory card that can be expanded up to 8 GB, a 1.2 megapixel camera, FM Radio, 3G capability, MEPG 4 compatible, and much more. You will have to use the speakers during phone calls, so it may not be the best idea to use it in public. It is quite cheap in comparison to similar devices from other brands.PRICE: Rs 9,000
REAR VIEW GLASSES
Another interesting product we came across were the Rear View Glares. They look like your ordinary sunglasses, but when you wear them and look through the edges, you can actually see behind you. It’s a simple mirror coating that has been used, but it works eff ectively.PRICE: Rs 700
