0.5 inches in depth, roughly the size of a heart pacemaker. The company expects to be able to shrink the size of the device to at least one-half and perhaps to as little as one-tenth the current size. The device's induction-based power-recharging method is similar to the type used to recharge pacemakers. The recharging technique functions without requiring any physical connection between the power source and the implant. Despite Applied Digital's recent progress, it's not likely that people will soon begin queuing up to receive GPS implants. "Implantable GPS is pro- bably still at least five years away," says Ron Stearns, a senior analyst at Frost & Sullivan, a technology research firm located in San Antonio, Texas. Stearns notes that it will take that long to get a GPS chip down to the size where it can be implanted easily and comfortably. Applied Digital also faces regulatory hurdles, and a lengthy clinical trial process, before its chip can reach market. As a result, the technology is likely to be implanted into pets and livestock long before humans. In the meantime, Applied Digital plans to continue testing its prototype to confirm that the device's transceiver, antenna, and power-recharging method are functioning properly. "We're very encouraged by the successful field testing and follow-up laboratory testing of this working PLD prototype," says Peter Zhou, Digital Solutions' vice president and chief scientist. "While reaching the working prototype stage represents a significant advancement in the development of [a] PLD, we continue to pursue further enhancements, especially with regard to miniaturization and the power supply. We should be able to reduce the size of the device dramatically before the end of this year." 7.6.2 Faster Fingerprints Via Wireless New software will make it possible for law enforcement officials to capture, transmit, and process fingerprints anytime, anywhere. Atsonic, a Schaumburg, Illinois-based software developer, has introduced the first real-time wireless mobile fingerprint tec