Because you’ve got nothing else better to do when rocketing down a hill at 40mph — Introducing the Recon Instruments Transcend. Thick sarcasm aside, these snow goggles are actually pretty cool. First and foremost, they block your eyes from harsh ice chips and snow that seek to invade your ocular cavities. Second, they display a bevy of useful information including altitude, speed, distance, number of runs, time, and temp.
Doesn’t sound like a bad deal. Though I use “deal” loosely — the Transcend’s will set you back $499. Still got your eye?
- December 14, 2009 7:05 am
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]
Underwater filimg is something that can be quite fun doing and equally fun watching. Normally, unwieldy equipment claims your hands and relinquishes you to nothing more than “the video guy” while your friends and colleagues get to swim around and have all sorts of hand assisted fun. Stop losing sleep over your less than stellar underwater adventures as Liquid Image’s UDCM310 will free up your hands for more interesting things. Building upon the previous model, the UDCM310 features a 5 megapixel CMOS sensor that will allow the wearer/video guy to capture video at 30fps at 720 x 480 resolution. All of the digitized life events are taken care of by either the paltry 16MB of internal memory or a removable SD card. A notable plus — the goggles will hook up to any computer rather nicely as no software is needed. Sweet! The sale price for such convenience and behind the scenes flipper action comes in at 16,800 Yen (roughly $180.72 USD). Just remember to not go any deeper than 10 m…or else the effects of water pressure on gadgets will make itself very known.
Engadget, Akihabra News, [Product Page] (Translated)
There are many characteristics and traits that various animals in the animal kingdom possess that we humans dream of having for ourselves. When I was kid, for whatever reason I always wanted a tail. After that fad, wings and flying were the next animal fascination of mine. To this day I still think it would be pretty darn cool to take a quick lap around town…five thousand feet up to freshen up a bit. Besides flight, eyesight usually comes up in sought after animal traits. Though usually it pertains to “eagle eyes” in which one could see great distances. Rarely if I ever have I ever heard anyone say: “Boy I sure do wish I had eyes like a fly”. Besides having terrible eyesight….why? Forget such deep questions and just focus on good ‘ol geeky goodness. The fine nerds over at Indestructibles have come out with a DIY to make LED Bug Eyed Goggles. While you can’t actually see out of them, a trivial circumstance, they sure do look cool and are sure to make people do at least one double take when they see you. If you’re feeling mighty geeked and adventurous, give Indestructibles a few minutes of your time.
Source: Geeky-Gadgets, Gizmodo, Make
