The United States Patent and Trademark Office published a patent application by Apple titled Low Threshold Face Recognition. While face recognition is nothing new, the application of the technology on mobile devices is still pretty much a hit and miss affair. Google introduced Face Unlock in Ice Cream Sandwich, but as we have demonstrated, the feature is easily fooled with just a picture.
In its patent application Apple argues:
Most face recognition systems fall into one of two categories. A first category system tends to be robust and can tackle various lighting conditions, orientations, scale and the like, and tends to be computationally expensive. A second category system is specialized for security-type applications and can work under controlled lighting conditions. Adopting the first category systems for face recognition on consumer operated portable appliances that are equipped with a camera would unnecessarily use an appliance’s computing resources and drain its power. Moreover, as the consumer portable appliances tend to be used both indoor and outdoor, the second category systems for face recognition may be ineffective. Such ineffectiveness may be further exacerbated by the proximity of the user to the camera, i.e., small changes in distance to and tilt of the appliance’s camera dramatically distort features, making traditional biometrics used in security-type face recognition ineffective.
Apple attempts to address this problem with a different approach to facial recognition. Instead of the software tracking the entire face, Apple’s Low Threshold Face Recognition analyses certain features of the face. In this case Apple relies on the distance between the eyes and between the eyes and the mouth.
Not sure if this is real…
But damn, that looks painful!
[via]
Sony Ericsson reveals more clues of new Xperia device
Click for larger image
Update: A closer inspection of the picture reveals the dedicated camera button to be virtually identical to the one on the Xperia arc and arc S. The previously thought HDMI port is actually a microUSB port that again, when compared to the Xperia arc, looks pretty much the same. Could the HD lettering in the picture also mean that the new device will carry the “HD” monicker? If this is true then are we looking at the Xperia arc HD? A picture of the Xperia arc is available for comparison after the jump. See for yourself.
Sony Ericsson is expected to unveil its new flagship smartphone (or two) at CES 2012 that’s happening next week on January 10.
Building up to the launch, Sony Ericsson has released a couple of clues in the form of pictures posted on its global Facebook page. One, released yesterday, suggests that Sony Ericsson might unveil a Windows Phone-based Xperia and this latest one shows some elements of the new device.
The image suggests that the new Xperia is going to be a camera-centric phone with a dedicated camera button. There’s also an HDMI out. On top of that, the picture almost certainly lay to rest the rumour that Sony Ericsson is unveiling a Windows Phone Xperia – just look at the right bottom corner of the picture, the camera toggle soft-switch doesn’t look consistent with what you would see on a Windows Phone device. First clue revealed yesterday is available after the jump.
We’re expecting to see more than one device to be unveiled. One is the LT28at (also known as the Xperia ion). The LT28at is said to have a large 4.55-inch HD Reality Display with 1280×720 resolution with a 1.5GHz dual-core processor. The main highlight of the LT28at is the massive 13MP camera that features a back-lit Exmor R sensor. On top of that, the front facing camera is said to be capable of doing 720p videos.
The other one is the Nozomi (aka Xperia arc HD). While the official name is not yet known, some of the specs have. The Nozomi will come with Android 2.3.5 Gingerbread — yes, Gingerbread and NOT Ice Cream Sandwich. It will feature a 4.3-inch LCD display with 720p resolution (1280 x 720 pixels). There’s also apparently a whopping 12 megapixel camera with full 1080p HD video recording. You also get a HDMI out to push those 1080p video easily to your HDTV. The device will be powered by a dual-core 1.5Ghz Snapdragon processor with 1GB of RAM to keep things smooth.
We won’t be at CES but Sony Ericsson will be having a regional event in Shanghai at the same time as CES and we will be there to see what Sony Ericsson has in store for 2012. As always, will keep you updated. You know what to do.
In the meantime, what are your thoughts about this latest clue?
Samsung introduces latest value-packed Android smartphone
Fresh of the Galaxy Ace Plus announcement, Samsung has just lifted the covers off yet another affordable and decently specced Android device – the Galaxy M Style. Currently only available in Korea, the Galaxy M Style is probably the most affordable 4-inch super AMOLED device to hit the market. Running Android 2.3 Gingerbread, the Galaxy M Style is powered by a 1GHz single core processor and features a 3MP camera, Bluetooth 3.0 and 4GB of internal storage.
Battery capacity is a respectable 1,650mAh but the Galaxy M Style is going to need it considering that the device also packs a Digital Mobile Broadcasting antenna allowing users to watch broadcast television.
The Galaxy M Style is just 9.9 mm thin and has a refined metal body with curved edges that Samsung say is designed to give you a comfortable grip. There are three colours to choose from — Platinum Silver, Blue Black and Lavender Pink.
There’s no indication when or if the Galaxy M Style will be available in Malaysia but looking at the specs, this has all the potential of taking the best bang-for-you-buck device title currently held by the Galaxy Ace.
Samsung Galaxy S & Tab official ICS update Flip Flop continues
A few weeks ago, there was quite a buzz surrounding Samsung’s older Galaxy S & Galaxy Tabs on its upgradability to the latest Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich OS. At first, Samsung announced no plans to offer such upgrades but later retracted and is reconsidering their options.
Some are saying that Samsung will be releasing Value Packs as mere enhanced Android 2.3 Gingerbread update while XDA reported that it might be Ice Cream Sandwich with lite-version of TouchWiz.
Now it seems that the Galaxy S will not be getting anything at all according to the latest update by TNW, citing that hardware limitation that’s optimised for Gingerbread experience. There’s no mention of Galaxy Tab but it is likely to face the same fate as well. Is this the end of it? Or will we see another U-turn reaction again?
[ SOURCE ]