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Sunnyvale startup Wirama announced that they've finished the most precise RFID reader available yet, with the ability to locate passive RFID tags to within 6 inches (through the EPC Class 1 Gen 2 standard). Up to now, only the most expensive RFID readers could locate a precise passive tag at that accuracy and used (wasteful) batteries for power. This means that the ability to track inventory through an RFID system will soon lower the entry costs into the tech, likely replacing barcodes, and may allow small businesses to save cash by keeping precise, real-time track of their wares.

As long as it doesn't lead to a crunchy, RFID-filled strawberry that will stick to the insides of my stomach, remotely track my whereabouts throughout the world, and lead to a vast history bank sorting my directional choices like a lab rat, it seems like a cool breakthrough.

At the moment, the reading range of the software algorithm within RFID tags is about 15 feet, long enough for your own version of Michael Scott to read your emails and know when you're going to the bathroom too much.

A couple of months ago, Rob Beschizza talked about the use of short-range-capable RFID badges to track attendees at CES 2008 and decided he was fine with it.