Japanese college giving away free iPhones, using them to track students' attendance
By Laura June 
posted May 22nd 2009 11:06AM
posted May 22nd 2009 11:06AM
Nearly 500 students and faculty at Aoyama Gakuin University in Japan will receive free iPhones as part of the school's new Mobile & Net Society Education and Training program. The trial, which is set to begin this fall, will use the iPhone's built in GPS function to determine if the students are present, and use that information to replace traditional methods of taking attendance. The university's announced a deal with provider Softbank Mobile to provide the phones and basic services to all students and staff at the school for no charge. The school also plans on rolling out simple tests and homework assignments using the device. So... is there an app for that, or what?[Via Digg]
I'm surprised they're using the iPhone instead of their regular arsenal of more awesome phones--what does the iPhone have that the "regular" Japanese phones don't have??
But the GPS rarely works when you're in a building, it just gives you the general area which could be as much as like 10 blocks square, although I guess they could use that in reverse, if you're located elseware then you're not in class?.
Luckily we can't do this here in the USA. Japan is not a free country if they permit this. Individual rights to privacy don't mean anything in Japan.
Wha? If someone wanted to give me a free iPhone w/ service on it.. so that they could tell if I was in the class that I should have been in anyways... I'd do it. This isn't a governmental action to track citizens, it's done by a school to track students. I mean, as long as they're taking attendance.. why not hand out free phones?
@kmc:
Clearly you don't think before you type. Doing a quick google search of this university, this school is a private school. It is not government run. Even in America, private institutions can have requirements of its members/students.
Hell, even some American schools have similar requirements. Tons of schools require students to have a certain brand of computer, usually macs, with security and tracking software installed to insure the security of the school's network.
This software reports to the school what websites you visit, and what you are downloading while using the schools network. Once I received an email stating not to go to my favorite car website, because there was a banner ad, advertising "Male Enhancement." My failure to stop using this website would result in my access to the network to be suspended, meaning no more internet while on campus.
My school does this, and guess what, it a public school!
And guess where I live... IN AMERICA!
Not a bad incentive really! I would attend school if they give me a free iPhone. I'd like free apps whenever though :) If they are going to add homework assignments and so on.
Everyone will take turns having 1 person go to class with everybody's phone in there backpack.