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NEC outs cloud computing facial recognition service for merchants
NEC has launched a $880 per month service in Japan that lets merchants profile customers using just a PC and video camera. The system uses facial recognition powered by the company's cloud computing service to estimate the gender and age of clients, along with the frequency of their shopping expeditions across multiple locations. The firm developed the "NeoFace" tracking software in-house, claiming it was the highest ranked facial recognition system in NIST and that it plans to use it for other services like "intruder surveillance" in the future. NEC added that face data is encrypted so it can't be "inadvertently disclosed," and is strictly to help retailers fine-tune their marketing strategies. After watching the system pick off face after face in the video after the break, we just hope it doesn't go rogue.
Apple applies for facial recognition patent, wants to let iDevices get to know you better
Your momma always said your handsome mug would take you places. Now it might allow you to access your iPad. An Apple patent application released today describes a facial recognition system that requires minimal computing power, and works whether you're indoors or out -- we don't use our tablets and phones in a photo booth, after all. The technology works by comparing a current image of your mug to a reference model user profile made using "high information" portions of the human face, like eyes and mouths. Translation: it'll take a picture, compare it against the pictures associated with various user accounts on the device and decide if the two images are similar enough to grant you access. Because this is just an application, it's safe to say we won't be seeing this kind of facial recognition in iOS anytime soon, but let's hope it works better than the ICS version if it does. Update: An important thing to note is that Apple applied for this patent long before Android's Face Unlock debuted a few months back. The paperwork was first submitted on June 29th, 2010 -- it's just now being disclosed to the public.
Become a sumo wrestler by stepping into SumoBooth
The facial expression experts over at MotionPortrait (makers of PhotoAvatar and ZombieBooth) have just dropped another fun photo effect application on us. SumoBooth takes your photo and transforms your head shot into a pudgy and powerful sumo wrestler. Once the animated sumo face is generated, you can then have a little fun by slapping him (or her) around a little bit with your finger. Watch the face react to the abuse with various winces and frowns. If you speak, the application will play back what you said in a typically deep sumo voice. SumoBooth comes with some social functions as well, like the ability to take snapshots and video of your new sumo face and then share them via Facebook, Twitter or YouTube. The app will be featured at MotionPortrait's booth at Macworld 2011 for those who want to check it out. If you can't make it, have a look at the following video posted over on Appbank (Japanese).
Sony Ericsson's facial recognition patent plays the perfect song to complement your mood
We don't expect this to be indicative of any near-term projects for the now financially hindered phone maker, but one of Sony Ericsson's recently unearthed patents paves the way for some interesting uses. From what we gather, while listening to music on your device, a picture of your face would be taken. That image would then be run through software that interprets your mood, and an appropriate next song based on those emotions would be picked -- so much for the art of mixtapes. Presumably, it'd also require a phone or device with a camera mounted on the same side as the screen, so unless mobile video conferencing takes off in a huge way, we can't see people paying extra for a phone or device with this configuration. And if you just got dumped over SMS, we hope it doesn't intepret those tears as a good time to play that Damien Rice song you two fell in love with. Hit up the read link for the full patent details. [Via Slash Gear]
New facial models in latest beta build aren't quite done
Banana Shoulders has a pretty in-depth look at a graphical update we weren't expecting at all: Blizzard has, in the latest beta build, decided to update the facial textures of some player models, including Gnomes, Human females, and Tauren. And unfortunately, the updates aren't necessarily for the better -- while the models do look a little clearer and more well-defined, they definitely aren't done yet, as the eyes are eerily in the wrong place inside the head, and some of the models are just plain uglier than they used to be.More realism and detail is always a good thing, and it's important to remember that we're still in beta -- there's no way those Gnome eyes will go live. Blizzard may even be updating the way the heads are put together as well, in order to make sure the new hairstyles all work the way they're meant to. The real challenge, however, will be making sure that the characters come out of this process looking the same way they did before -- if the textures look extremely different, you may end up logging into Wrath with a character you don't recognize.Update: Don't panic -- Tigole says the facial model texture changes were "a development experiment," and these funny faces will never make the live realms.Thanks to everyone who sent this in!
