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Facebook is getting so good at recognizing people it doesn’t even need to see your face anymore

Jun22
by on June 22, 2015 at 9:32 pm
Posted In: Around the Web, Insider

Facebook

If you’re the type of person to upload photos to Facebook in huge batches, you know just how useful automatic tagging can be. But Facebook’s constantly improving its facial recognition, and now it’s gotten so good that it doesn’t even need to see your face anymore.

According to New Scientist, Facebook’s artificial intelligence team has been working on an experimental recognition algorithm to identify people even when their faces aren’t clear by using numerous characteristic cues. Yann LeCun, head of the team, says “you can recognize Mark Zuckerberg very easily, because he always wears a gray T-shirt.”

After all, people are also often able to recognize others without seeing their face. Facebook says it’s experimental algorithm is currently identifying people with 83 percent accuracy. The conditions aren’t specified, but that sounds like a solid success rate, especially given it’s mainly a convenience tool for the end user.

Of course, this is also beneficial to Facebook, which wants you to rely on it for all your photographic needs; it’s recently-launched Moments app helps you easily share photos by scanning your camera roll with facial recognition.

➤ Facebook can recognise you in photos even if you’re not looking [New Scientist via Engadget]

Read next: Facebook launches Moments app to find and share photos of your friends using facial recognition

Image Credit: Gil C / Shutterstock.com

 

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CloudSlice offers more security for online photos by distributing them in multiple parts

Jun22
by on June 22, 2015 at 9:29 pm
Posted In: Apps, Around the Web

cloudsilde

Even if you’re not a Hollywood movie star or someone who routinely keeps NSFW photos on your phone or in your private cloud storage account, there’s something creepy about the thought of your images being viewed or appropriated by an outsider.

CloudSlice, a new app for iOS, seeks to add an extra layer of security to your photo collection by not only encrypting pictures but breaking up photos into different parts — slices — and distributing them among various popular storage services to further protect their content.

CloudSlice works with iCloud, Google Drive, DropBox, Microsoft OneDrive, and Box, first encrypting the photo data with a key held by the account holder, and then slicing and distributing the pieces of each photo in up to five cloud storage accounts. On iCloud, slices are kept in a private CloudSlice app sandbox belonging only to your iCloud account.

CloudSlice pics select

This method enhances photo security since whole photos are not stored in any single cloud account, but split among several. Each slice only contains only parts of encrypted image data. Slice data can only be put together with the right key, providing extra protection.

Escape Velocity Apps, makers of CloudSlice, say its product protects against activities like the targeting of children for unauthorized photo or marketing use, as well as mining photo metadata for location or other data.

CloudSlice is not a cloud storage service and your complete photo is not stored anywhere – only the slices exist on the storage servers you designate. Thus if any individual cloud storage service is compromised, no one can get a copy of your complete photo. The app runs on top of the security measures already imposed by each storage provider.

Cloudslide recommends subscribing to five services through their free apps. To slice and upload photos, users tap the Plus (+) button on the main screen and select the images you want to protect. To retrieve a stored photo, tap on its thumbnail. The photo slices will be gathered and displayed in CloudSlice, where you are then given options for sharing or exporting.

CloudSlice considers it service as part of a security strategy and does not claim to be foolproof. If you decide to use CloudSlice, be sure to remember your password, because CloudSlide does not keep a record of it.

It’s available for $4.99 on the App Store for iPhone and iPad.

➤ CloudSlice [iOS]

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Google has dropped emoji support for mobile and desktop search results

Jun22
by on June 22, 2015 at 7:11 pm
Posted In: Around the Web, Insider

googlesearch

It seems Google isn’t fond of emoji, at least where search is concerned. Over the weekend, Google quietly removed emoji from search results for the desktop and mobile.

Pages that use emoji won’t be penalized — Google just won’t show the symbols when it returns their page in search results. Emoji will still show as headers in search when accompanied by text.

Emoji has been in use on mobile search for quite some time, and found its way to the desktop a few months ago. According to Search Engine Land, Google called this shot a few weeks back, so it’s not surprising.

google no emoji

Emoji was being used by some brands in an attempt to find a new way to the top of search results. If you were to use a pizza emoji in Google search, you might have been met with pizza restaurants near you.

Others, like Yelp, still allow for emoji to be used in search. Your quest for pizza is not totally lost after all.

➤ Google Finally Drops Emojis From Search Results Listings Page [Search Engine Land]

Read next: Emoji, the new language of the internet, is improving the way we communicate online

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The definitive guide to Google’s 17 new Android Wear branded watch faces

Jun22
by on June 22, 2015 at 6:38 pm
Posted In: Apps, Around the Web, Insider

android wear branded watch faces

As the Apple Watch and Android Wear war continues to brew, Google is constantly reminding potential buyers that its platform is the most customizable. This message goes out to both at-home developers looking to tinker with their new toys, and companies looking for alternate ways to create #brandlove.

In addition to the some 1,500 watch faces already available on Android Wear, Google today unveiled 17 branded ones. If you need help deciding which brand to show your appreciation, we’re here to help.

Hello Kittyhello kitty android wear

What is it? A Japanese cartoon cat frequently loved by young girls, teens, the young at heart and Avril Lavigne.

Download if: You understand what it means to be *~super kawaii~*!

Moods of Norway

moods of norway android wear

What is it? A Norwegian clothing brand that promises to make “happy clothes for happy people.”

Download if: You’re unhappy but need the public to not know that.

Rubik’s Watch

rubik android wear

What is it? A twist (heh) on the combination puzzle game that either entertains you for hours, or pisses you the hell off.

Download if: You don’t think owning a smartwatch looks nerdy enough.

Terminator Genisys

terminator android wear

What is it? The fifth cinematic installment of the “Terminator” franchise. Its existence and alternative spelling are still largely debatable.

Download if: You’ve got to be back… in time.

Kevin Tong Watch Face

kevin tong android wear

What is it? Kevin Tong is a freelance illustrator whose portfolio includes band posters for The Black Keys and Washed Out.

Download if: You’re into retro meets modern art and you support independent artists.

Bang & Olufsen Watch Face

bang olufsen android wear

What is it? A luxury brand known for high-end speakers, headphones and sound systems.

Download if: You work for Bang & Olufsen.

Muji to Relax

androidwear_muji

What is it? A Japanese retailer that sells everything from basic apparel to home goods and stationery.

Download if: The simple, modernist life is your calling.

Gundam RX-78-2 Watch Face

gundam android wear

What is it? A anime series featuring humanoid war robots.

Download if: You’re willing to pay $0.99 versus all the other free ones Google added today.

Angry Birds Aviator Watch Face

angry birds android wear

What is it? Rovio’s sole claim to fame which it cannot stop milking the crap out of.

Download if: You’re 12.

Rowley Wristwear

rowley wristwear

What is it? An American luxury label that’s both modern and feminine.

Download if: You still have a Diane von Furstenburg Google Glass sitting somewhere in your closet.

Moomins

moomins android wear

What is it? A children’s fantasy cartoon created by a Finnish illustrator Tove Jansson.

Download if: Everyday is #TBT.

Lulu Frost Watch

lulu frost android wear

What is it? A luxury jewelry brand.

Download if: Kim Kardashian is your idol and your favorite TV show is “Rich Kids of Beverly Hills.”

George Frost Watch

george frost

What is it? Lulu Frost’s boy cousin.

Download if: You have zero personality.

Triwa, Geox, Anrealage, Attling

watches

What are they? Modern luxury brands that share more or less the same clienteles.

Download if: You’re actually pretty normal and just wanted your smartwatch to look like a real watch.

Read next: Here’s the next big update to Android Wear

 

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Google Container Engine now in beta while Container Registry opens up to more developers

Jun22
by on June 22, 2015 at 6:12 pm
Posted In: Around the Web, Insider

GoogleCampusTNW

Google Container Engine has gone beta, with new features like cluster tracking in Cloud Logging having been added. Google is also making its Container Registry available to more developers, and has announced pricing for both.

Previously in alpha, the beta version of Container Engine allows developers to asses container needs like CPU or memory management, then schedule containers to a cluster. Developers can also enable Cloud Logging to track clusters and monitor performance of applications.

Google Container Registry is now ready for production use, too. Developers can use Container Registry to encrypt and authenticate containers, and the service allows for regional storage of images.

Google also announced pricing for both; Container Engine checks in at $0.15 per hour for standard clusters, which can be comprised of up to 100 virtual machine nodes. Basic clusters — up to five virtual machine nodes — is currently free to use.

Container Registry uses Google’s simple cloud storage pricing for storage. Images can be pushed or pulled for free.

➤ Container Engine & Container Registry Updates – New Features & Pricing [Google]

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