CNET Declares Picasa 3.5 Champion of Photo-Editing Facial Recognition Software

Interesting post from CNET's Josh Lowensohn around a 'Facial Recognition Face-Off' between Google's Picasa 3.5 (just updated last week), Apple's iPhoto (new version released in January), and Windows Live Photo Gallery (updated last June) to determine the best free consumer photo-editing face finder on the market today.

Best part of the testing is that Josh used 500 of his own mugshots in the testing procedures!

Ultimately declaring Picasa 3.5 the cream of the crop, he writes:

"It has, hands-down, the best workflow for finding faces, as well as alerting users to when it had found people in new photos. It's also the only program out of the three we tested that's cross platform, meaning you can use it on either a PC or Mac and have an identical face recognizing experience."

Check out the post in full here -- excellent commentary on the hits and misses of the trials and individual breakdown on each of the three products and their specific features.

I Can't Help It -- More iPhone MacRumors

MacRumors is back at it. Today, they're reporting additional patent filings around object recognition and facial detection extensions, continuing to push forward some of these technologies that I've posted about recently. While these take time to come to fruition, I can't help being excited -- the possible adaptations of these ideas are endless. Let's take a look.

The object recognition capability in which an iPhone would be able to "detect an object via camera, RFID sensor or other means and have their device automatically identify and provide additional information on the object" looks to be potentially quite useful. In the patent background, Apple used the example of an art museum:

"...a user might take a photo of a piece of art and wish to have it automatically identified and additional information on it provided, or engage in an audio tour or podcast and wish to access additional content beyond that provided in the audio files."

Think of all the possible ways to leverage this technology -- other than trying to distinguish between two pieces of art, maybe you can use it to uncover the name of that actress in the recent blockbuster movie that you can't recall but swear looks familiar. Or perhaps you will be able to identify the name of a certain wallpaper color swatch -- and be able to access its brand, serial number and all retail locations withing a five mile radius. Well, both of those might be a bit far off -- not sure the iPhone camera can yet detect the subtle difference between eggshell and off-white or has facial recognition capabilities on par with those of 3VR, but you catch my drift. ZDNet also noted using the technology for price comparisons between retail products.

As far as facial detection developments, it seems that iPhone engineers are indirectly attempting to remedy the device's often woefully poor battery life. New patents look to "determine whether a user is passively interacting with the device" -- meaning not watching the TV show they've downloaded or listening to a song on iTunes -- and if so, turn on a screensaver of some type (similar to the setting on a normal laptop or desktop) to save energy. The iPhone would use its internal camera to detect a user's presence, and while the idea may be antiquated, bringing this technology to a mobile device will be welcomed with open arms.

Are You the Next Susan Boyle?

MacRumors is leaking information about a few new patents that were recently filed. Intriguing stuff.

I wrote about a patent for a biometric reader to secure Apple devices with either fingerprint or facial recognition, but it looks like Apple will eventually add command functionality from fingerprint patterns.

Want to delete an email? Simply touch your index finger to the screen. Need to compose a new email? Use that pinkie finger. Sick of a song playing in iTunes? Your ring finger can take care of that and seek to the next song. Very cool.

The other patent (related to my previous post) is a RFID reader. As MacRumors divulges:

"Finally, the last notable application covers the dual use of a touch screen as an RFID reader. RFID tags are small circuits that can be embedded in objects for identification using a special reader. Apple suggests that the an RFID antenna can be placed in the touch sensor panel itself, allowing it to also be used as a RFID reader. As RFID tags become more prevalent, this could add a very useful function to future touch screen devices."

There are also rumors of haptic feedback -- essentially, display technologies will allow for tactile feedback from touch screen displays so users can "feel" different surfaces as their finger moves across it. As MacRumors explains, "As an example, a display could include a virtual click wheel which vibrates at a different frequency as the center. Users could easily sense the difference and use the click wheel without having to look at it."

Warm up those pipes, because also in the works a karaoke-like application that provides feedback on tone, pitch and overall quality of singing ability. No need to try out for American Idol anymore -- you'll be able to use iPhone rather than audition in front of Simon Cowell to know you're no Susan Boyle.

3VR Welcomes New CEO Al Shipp

Big news out of 3VR Security, Inc. today -- this morning, we officially announced that Al Shipp is joining us as the new CEO, effective immediately. I will be continuing on as chairman of the company.

We're very excited to have Al with us as we enter a pivotal stage in 3VR's development. Most recently the vice president of the Enterprise Division at Apple, he is a technology industry veteran and brings deep expertise in executing and managing rapid corporate growth.

Al is also a great friend of mine, and I really look forward to working with him in the next years as we look to take 3VR to the next level in terms of global reach, influence and leadership in the security industry.

For more information, you can read the press release that went out this morning here or watch this short, informal video interview between Al and myself:

Here is a round-up of some the coverage the announcement has received:

SecurityInfoWatch.com: New CEO takes over at 3VR Security
Security Director News: Former Apple VP takes over as 3VR CEO
MacBlogz: Former Apple Enterprise VP Takes Over as 3VR CEO
Dow Jones VentureWire: Shipp Joins 3VR Security As CEO
IPSecurityWatch.com: New CEO takes over at 3VR Security
OhMyGov!: CA Implementing Facial Recognition Software for DMV