Lockface USB drive opens/closes at the sight of your face.

I’m not even going to try and hide it — I have a goldfish memory. I can’t remember anything no matter how hard I try. To top it off, my mind wonders so fa…

Often times notes are useless as I merely misplace them or forget to look at them. It kind of sucks really. But somehow I’ve managed to get this far so obviously I’ve figured out some working formula. As soon as I remember what it is I’ll let you know…

With so many passwords, passcodes, and passphrases being required by our increasingly digital lifestyles, remembering all of them is nothing short of monumental. And it’s bad security policy to use the same password/phrase/code for multiple accounts, yet most of us still do it. Why not forget pass-crap altogether?

The Lockface flash drive does just that by eschewing passwords/codes/phrases and instead relying solely on facial recognition software. Potential data thieves who swipe (no pun intended) your drive with hopes of retrieving digital bounty will be frustrated when their ugly mug is prevented from viewing the contents stored within.

98% accuracy and a password failsafe (you know, in case you have some freak accident or something) keep worries of a facial recognition failure at bay. Then again, remembering a backup password to a device that is supposed to do away with passwords puts you right back at square one…

Dvice > Gizmodo

Privacy concerns arise from Google Goggles facial recognition/stranger identifier search results…

Simply taking a picture of some object and using it to search for more relevant information doesn’t seem that difficult until you actually think about the tools necessary to complete such a search. I mean, taking a picture of a simple can of beans (it’s early and I’m hungry) means the phone/software has to properly determine what is text/images before actually searching for it so it knows what to search for. Second, the actual algorithms for the search software then have to somehow find the exact brand of beans in front of you as well as pull any relevant information from the cloud. Of that information, there are countless options and things to weed through so irrelevant information doesn’t pollute your search results. But that is all bridge under the water as the end user doesn’t really care how it works. They only care when it doesn’t work, or more importantly, works too well. Such is the case unfolding with Google Goggles, Google’s new image based search software.

Apparently, Goggles even has facial recognition built in. “Awesome” you think. Now random creepers lurking in your neighborhood who you’ve always wondered about can be explored from the safety of your couch. Are they a sex offender, previously in jail for murder, a drug addict? Such things are helpful to know. But as with all new and emerging technology, someone has a problem with it, labeling the facial recognition aspect of the software in particular a threat. For that reason, Google has for the time being, blocked any image searches involving faces or facial recognition until they can “better implore the ramifications of such a feature”.

I can honestly see both sides of the issue. While it would be nice to know about potential stranger dangers, being able to snap pictures of random people walking by, hit up Google Goggles and all of a sudden know the person’s entire biography are interesting, compelling, and scary all at the same time. I mean, it would be useful say if you’re trying to learn more about a new employer, more particularly a new boss, so that you can impress them to the best of your (newly acquired) knowledge. Again however, having such untouched and easy access to the inner workings of peoples’ lives opens a pandora’s box for privacy concerns.

One could argue though that in this digital age, with Facebook, MySpace, a half a bajillion other social networking sites that privacy has gone by the wayside. Take a stroll MySpace or Facebook and look at some of idiots on there and the moronic stuff they actually post for the world to see — and they wonder why they get fired for calling their boss a fat pig on their wall…?

Even still, social networking and the information uploaded by users is just that — user generated. I’m sure people aren’t going to upload their address, social security number, age, birthplace, etc. Such information is extremely private (at least it used to be) and extremely vulnerable to Google Goggles and other types of software.

The greater flexibility and freedom consumers are gaining will mean ever greater responsibility. In the hands of most, it will simply mean a fun day at the park randomly snapping pictures of strangers and giggling at their personal bio that Google Goggles returns. But in the wrong hands, your life and all of the information you hold near and dear could be made available for the entire world to see against your will.

I’m not trying to stir up any mass hysteria or some big angry “anti-Goggles” mob. In fact I like Goggles and privacy concerns withstanding, would still love the facial recognition feature to make a comeback. But I’m sure many of you feel different. What’s your take? Should Google Goggles be allowed or is it an evil creation of the technology age? Just understand when one technology falls or is shuttered, several more pop up ready and waiting to replace it…

Textually > Independent.co.uk

[Image Source] [Image Source 2]

Power saving facial recognition on Hitachi TV’s tracks your eyesight, turns of TV when you’re not watching.

** Facial recognition technology starts at 45 seconds in…

Buying an energy efficient TV and turning off the TV whenever you leave the room, no matter how short the time are just two things we can do to save electricity. A new application of facial recognition technology by Hitachi will soon give us another choice with a futuristic flare. The technology was shown off at CEATEC. As you can gather, the facial recognition tracks where your eyes are focused. Focusing on the TV keeps it on. Once your eyesight moves to some other object for a set period of time, the TV automatically turns off. Pretty nifty huh? Still, there’s plenty of times I’d like to leave the TV on when I leave the room. Even if I can’t see it, I can still hear it. Still, a cool use of facial recognition for sure. One that I hope will come sooner rather than later.

Technabob > Engadget > BBC

Smile hating software invading driver license branches around the country

One of the worst things on anyone’s list of things to never have to do again is that of visiting the license branch.  I could be wrong, but going to the license branch is tantamount to when you where a kid and had to tell the neighbor you got caught cutting their tires….something like that.  Naturally, when anyone says that they are taking a picture of you, your first natural reaction is to smile.  Besides, who wants a bump on a log, mug shot looking picture?  If you live in the states of Arkansas, Indiana, Virginia, or Nevada, mug shots are the new fav.