Cellphones can double up as cameras, video recorders, mp3 players, and portable televisions, among other things. And now, you can use your cellphones as boarding passes! Continental Airlines announces that passengers in Houston can now use their cellphones to be able to board their flights. This is a part of a 3-month test program to be run at the Bush International Airport. Later on, if the program proved to be successful, the program would be implemented to airports and airlines all around the United States.

The traditional way of boarding airlines would be to show a paper pass. With the onset of cellphone technology, you would only need to show your PDA or cellphone to gain entry to airports and airlines. The Transportation Security Administration together with Continental Airlines would send passengers a code through their cellphone or PDA, which they will use as a board pass.

The code would show the passenger's personal details including name and other flight information. The code is composed of a 2-dimensional barcode and a set of rectangles and squares. The Transportation Security Administration uses a handheld scanner to check the authenticity of the code. All passengers would still need to show identification cards with their photos even if they have an authenticated code.

The program has still some points to improve. To date, it only accommodates solo travelers. Continental Airlines are still looking for ways on how they can monitor group travelers with the use of the same technology. Fraudulent cellphone boarding passes are also some of the things that they still have to study. In case a passenger loses her cellphone or if the mobile phone losses its power, they can always request for a traditional boarding pass from a Continental Airlines agent.

So far, the said program is getting good compliments. There are less paper work and passengers love the idea of boarding airlines and airports in a much faster and hassle-free way.

Vuzix iWear AV920 Big Screen iPod Video Display Eyewear US $299.00 End Date: Tuesday Oct-07-2008 23:54:08 PDT Buy it now | Add to watch list

For Samsung SCH-R500 500 HUE Plastic Holster Case NEW US $4.95 End Date: Tuesday Oct-07-2008 23:54:18 PDT Buy it now | Add to watch list