Filed under: Odds and ends, iPhone
An iPhone user in Australia was playing around with his camcorder's NightShot mode (which can see through some materials), when he found that behind the rear plastic clamshell is a DataMatrix 2D barcode.
Engadget suspects the barcode is the handset's IMEI and serial numbers.
If you have the ability to see and scan your handset's barcode, let us know what information it contains with a comment below!
Holding the Command key (aka the Apple key) and pressing Tab will cycle through your open applications. It's easier to Cmd-Tab if you are Copy (Cmd-C) and Pasting (Cmd-V) to and from various applications.
![TUAW [Cafepress]](http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.tuaw.com/media/tuaw-cafepress-promo.png)
Advertise with us. (Learn more)
| # | Blogger | Posts | Cmts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Steven Sande | 38 | 9 |
| 2 | Michael Rose | 31 | 24 |
| 3 | Mel Martin | 29 | 0 |
| 4 | Mike Schramm | 25 | 1 |
| 5 | Victor Agreda, Jr. | 24 | 8 |
| 6 | Brett Terpstra | 18 | 11 |
| 7 | Erica Sadun | 16 | 2 |
| 8 | Megan Lavey | 16 | 6 |
| 9 | Dave Caolo | 14 | 0 |
| 10 | Robert Palmer | 13 | 3 |
| 11 | David Winograd | 13 | 0 |
| 12 | Chris Rawson | 12 | 0 |
| 13 | Christina Warren | 9 | 28 |
| 14 | Michael Jones | 8 | 0 |
| 15 | Tim Wasson | 8 | 0 |
| 16 | Sang Tang | 7 | 1 |
| 17 | Cory Bohon | 6 | 0 |
| 18 | Casey Johnston | 6 | 0 |
| 19 | Jason Clarke | 6 | 1 |
| 20 | Mat Lu | 3 | 0 |
safari SoftwareUpdate review AppleStore IpodTouch audio AppStore wwdc game Iphone3gS photography video software upgrade apple att iphone app-store developers wwdc09 retail breakingnews MacOsX AppReview update iphoneos twitter Iphone3.0 giveaway SnowLeopard gps podcast mobileme itunes games MacbookPro mac release security ipod Iphone3g travel music ipod-touch rumors AskTuaw features apps rumor gaming
All contents copyright © 2003-2009, Weblogs, Inc. All rights reserved
The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) is a member of the Weblogs, Inc. Network. Privacy Policy, Terms of Service, Notify AOL
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Daniel said 3:52PM on 9-18-2008
Isn't the IMEI and serial numbers available on the back of each iPhone?
Reply
(01) said 4:27PM on 9-18-2008
Not on the 3G's; the only display capacity and "Designed in...". I just want a night vision source so I can see it on mine :-)
Oseary said 4:29PM on 9-18-2008
Not on 3G's... It's branded on the SIM chip holster on the inside of the phone.
NyxoLyno said 3:53PM on 9-18-2008
I decided mine, and it says, "Hello, I'm a Mac."
Reply
Shunnabunich said 7:30PM on 9-18-2008
"PHENOMENAL COSMIC POWER! Iiiiiiiiitty bitty living space."
MrMoose1892 said 4:06PM on 9-18-2008
Yes, but think of how streamlined that production and assembly line processes would be when using this to scan/sort iPhones and such? Couldn't even imagine ANY worker or factory relying on something printed on the back of a plastic device, let alone something that is so highly produced; just wouldn't make sense not to have something "scannable" like that...
Reply
Duane said 4:11PM on 9-18-2008
If someone can get a clear enough shot of it, the iPhone app "2D Sense" can actually decode those.
Reply
Ratking said 4:14PM on 9-18-2008
Umm, Robert - Gotta bust your chops on the Kaya link. They're definitely selling a product on their website called NakedBeach500 (which is exactly what you think it is). Will you be reviewing that for Engadget soon?
Reply
Robert Palmer said 4:32PM on 9-18-2008
In my defense, that was added by an editor after I submitted the story. I'll review this with the leads now.
Ratking said 4:51PM on 9-18-2008
I'm not saying it to as the content police. But you should definitely not let your editor live that one down. It's pretty sketchy.
Garin said 4:19PM on 9-18-2008
the Serial and IMEI are all on the sim card tray of the 3G. why have an extra place for them?
Reply
Randy said 4:35PM on 9-18-2008
What if you lose the SIM tray?
Ksilebo said 4:24PM on 9-18-2008
I'll do it when I get home. Too much light at the office.
Reply
AgentMax said 4:31PM on 9-18-2008
It's not visible on all iPhones.
On my german iPhone 3G 16GB T-Mobile it's not there.
I filmed it with my Sony HD Camcorder using Night Shot.
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KIPRpW1MRw
Reply
Oseary said 4:44PM on 9-18-2008
Nice vid showing the procedure, though you would have gotten major kudos if you a.) showed the procedure and b.) rickrolled everyone in the process with the music.
AgentMax said 5:03PM on 9-18-2008
There's no special procedure.
Just turned on Night Vision (IR) on my Sony Camcorder.
Now, as they say, I should be able to see the code.
But a user of a german iPhone community testet some phones an he said that 4 of 10 iPhones are missing this code.
paulcb said 4:40PM on 9-18-2008
I don't think night vision can see through anything. As I understand, it only amplifies the small light that's available, so I'm not sure how this night vision camcorder could see through the black plastic on the back of the iPhone. Even if the plastic is slightly transparent, you could only see something inside with a lot of light, thus drowning out a night vision device. Can someone explain this?
Reply
Brychanus said 4:52PM on 9-18-2008
I'm not sure it's always this way, but night vision camcorders I've used blast the area immediately in front of them with IR light and record that. That's how they see in the dark.
paulcb said 5:09PM on 9-18-2008
I think you're right Brychanus. I did a little research and it looks as if some night vision devices can see through thin materials - sorry, my bad.
sam said 11:46PM on 9-18-2008
I have a night vision point and shoot I made by taking an exposed piece of film (exposed, meaning the entire color spectrum has been soaked into it and therefore those colors can no longer pass through) and putting it over the CCD sensor. I had to remove a piece of plastic that was already there that blocked infrared. This, combined with a flashlight filled with IR LEDs instead of regular LEDs gives you night vision.
This will let you see through anything that blocks the visible spectrum but allows IR light to pass. Think of the dark piece of plastic over the IR sensor on your VCR or remote control - this is probably the same type of stuff on the back of the iPhone.