The View From Above: In Hard Focus Round-Up (July 28, 2011)

Look how far we've come: A new post on Wired's Beyond the Beyond blog reminds us the progress we've made (technologically-speaking) since in the past 60 years. Included are a number of sketches from the 1940s, including a "Memex" designed to bring files to an operator's fingertips instantly and the "Supersecretary of the Modern Age" to transcribe author's notes – and even play them back! And above, the Vannevar Bush Cyclops Camera. At least they were correct in saying "...progress in photography is not going to stop."

Sir, you've had too many..slots: Ontario may be instituting new facial recognition technology...in casinos of all places. In a piece from the Montreal Gazette, the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation said it has installed the technology on two-thirds of slot machines and casinos across the province. Still, the program is voluntary at this point, so only if a addict chooses have their picture taken will it impact their gambling experience. 

Amazing. Safer. Fun: These are three words Gizmodo uses to describe the emergence of facial recognition technologies in consumer apps such as Facebook, iPhoto – and the prospects of replacing password and the impact on gaming. While there are valid concerns around privacy, opt-out options and tracking, they see the glass half full. We do, too. 

New Facial Recognition Software Targets Gambling Addicts

If you're a problem gambler, maybe now is the time to retire. Because advanced facial recognition technology is coming after you.

The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp. is installing a new facial rec program at 27 of its gambling facilities this spring. But unlike most high-tech surveillance systems in major gambling areas, such as Las Vegas, the OLG aims to curb gambling addiction, not detect cheating (or offer VIP perks). 

Each person who enters an Ontario casino will undergo a digital camera scan. The image of their face will be run through a database of more than 15,000 people with gambling problems who have voluntarily put themselves on a banned list.

If the computer finds a match, security is notified. If not, the image is simply discarded.

The new system will replace the current practice, which required security staff to personally detect gamblers who have returned to a casino after placing themselves on the self-excluded list. This method catches about 1,000 self-excluded gamblers each year, which critics say is unacceptable, given that gambling addiction is a compulsive illness.