A few days ago, we reported on the Hoyos Eyelock USB Iris Scanner that allows the user to enter their laptop or desktop device via eye-scan. All it takes is just connecting it via USB, but what if you could get similar security on your mobile phone?
The technology is already here. What you can see in the picture and in the video after the jump is RecognizeMe, an App that is only available on jailbroken iPhones. This App uses the Facetime camera in order to recognized the registered user, and only then will it unlock the phone.
So who needs fingerswipes and passwords? Just look at the iPhone, which is something that you are probably doing anyway if you have your iPhone on hand.
Software
Evoluce uses a Kinect to control Windows
Some of you might remember when we covered the Gmail Motion a few days ago. I was told that Gmail Motion was essentially a big joke for April Fool’s Day, and that there isn’t a system where you can send emails by doing a “slapping a stamp” hand motion.
I think it is interesting that on the Gmail Motion video, it describes the keyboard and mouse as “outdated technology”. I suppose that if we are looking at the gesture-based technology of Minority Report as present instead of futuristic, then yes, the keyboard and mouse should be the equivalent of five-and-a-quarter inch disks.
Evoluce has figured out how to combine the Kinect for gesture-based computing on Windows 7. I believe that it comes in handy for the Media Center and other programs, especially for Microsoft Office and PowerPoint. There is a video of it after the jump.
Grace Digital rolls out remote control app for the Android Market
Folks who are rocking to the world of Android smartphones as well as its growing Android Market presence will be pleased to know that there is another innovative piece of software coming your way thanks to Grace Digital, where the company’s innovative remote control application will offer users control over key internet radio functions including power, volume, channel selection, presets, alarm management, not to mention a whole host of other features.
Even better news is this – the Grace Digital Remote Control App is now available as a free download on the Android Market, so you need not worry about forking out additional dough after paying so much for a high end Android-powered device already.
Jawbone THOUGHTS unveiled
Mention the word “Jawbone” and most people would definitely have the image of one of those sleek looking Bluetooth headsets spring to mind. After all, Aliph did a pretty good job in getting word of their Jawbone series around, backing it up with some really solid performance where hardware is concerned, although certain quarters do feel that the physical size is still somewhat larger than most of the other Bluetooth headsets in the market.
No matter, we’re talking about software today, where Aliph just introduced Jawbone THOUGHTS, an iPhone application which enables users to easily send quick voice messages to individuals and groups, doing so without the need for typing or calling. Sounds like a dream, eh? Hopefully it will work out so as we describe the Jawbone THOUGHTS in the extended post.
Skype enables iPhone owners to make 3G calls
Skype has finally brought to life a feature that many iPhone owners had wished for for a long,long time already – we’re talking about the iPhone being able to make 3G calls. Yes, this new version of its application is available from the Apple App Store, where it enables iPhone users to make as well as receive Skype-to-Skype calls, not to mention to call mobiles and landlines worldwide without breaking the bank using nothing but their 3G data connection. Of course, a lot of the call quality depends on your signal strength as well as the amount of network congestion, but I’m sure that most of us won’t mind sacrificing a little bit of quality to save a whole lot of dollars, right?
LifeInPocket unveils new powerful app for BlackBerry
iPhone users, don’t be too smug and think that your Apple-powered handset is more or less the de facto standard for smartphones, capable of handling just about anything and everything that you throw at it. No sir, the BlackBerry does have its fair share of supporters with a growing fan base which ought to keep Apple executives looking over their shoulders. Today, LifeInPocket has just announced that they have a new powerful app for the BlackBerry platform which offers the ability of hundreds of tiny, bite-sized advanced apps while remaining small, fast, fully personalized, powerful and best of all, free. Yep, you read that right – you need not fork out more than you should to be productive.
TXTBlocker for added peace of mind
Who would’ve thought that technology would have advanced to such a manner where software will prevent cellphones from functioning normally – in this case, TXTBlocker will disable texting and other functions whenever a user is driving. TXTBlocker is highly customizable, enabling parents and employers to make sure handsets can selectively disable texting functions, block certain … Read more
New Features for Google Voice
In another attempt by Google to make certain every user can go to one spot for all their mobile and Internet stuff, Google Voice just unveiled two new features.
The first is the ability to have your SMS messages forward to your email. I actually have this feature on my Spinvox account, but the less I can look at my mobile for messages, the better.
The second is the ability to to make your voicemail messages play on Gmail. So now your text and audio recordings will be accessible by computer. See instructions after the jump.
TomTom lets Homer help your driving
Some of you might remember the Knight Rider GPS from Mio, but most drivers aren’t all men of action like David Hasselhoff. Some of us are the average working class guy like Homer Simpson.
Perhaps this is why TomTom invented the voiceskin of Homer Simpson for their GPS. Instead of a robotic, ersatz voice box telling you where to go, why not the most beloved cartoon dad of the last 20 years?
Homer says things like “whoo-hoo, you have reached your destination” and “at the end of the road, turn left, then take the motorway, hee-hee-hee”. I imagine that the studio had Dan Castellaneta in a recording studio for a day to make these vocal recordings. I hope he was sufficiently compensated, because I once heard that the Simpsons cast make about one million per episode.
Windows 7 to arrive October 22nd
Microsoft has recently confirmed that they will be offering Windows 7 worldwide this October 22nd, which is pretty near, hence cutting short the life of the ill-fated Windows Vista operating system. Dell has stepped up to the challenge by allowing users to purchase Windows 7 factory installed on your favorite Dell configuration. This is the … Read more