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NEC Working On Advanced Face Recognition Technology

Posted: 27 Aug 2010 04:41 AM PDT

NEC is working on face recognition technology that helps detecting human faces even if they have aged substantially or gained weight over the years. In a benchmark test [PDF] conducted by the US Department of Homeland Security, the technology boasted 92% accuracy from a 1.6 million person criminal database, and 95% accuracy from a 1.8 million person database consisting of visa applicants.

The percentage of error stood at just 0.3% in the test based on the criminal database, while second-ranking Cognitec Systems (from Germany) had an error rate of 2.5%. NEC’s solution was ranked first overall in the benchmark test.

NEC says they largely focus on an individual’s eyes, mouth, or nose, while largely ignoring certain other features, for example the eyebrows. The Nikkei (Japan’s leading business daily) tested the technology just recently if it’s able to recognize the face of an NEC researcher through photos that were taken in 1987 and 2010 (it was, the pictures on the left are the ones that were used).

NEC now expects the technology to be used for crime investigations or immigration control, for example.

Daily Crunch: Puft Edition

Posted: 27 Aug 2010 12:00 AM PDT

LaCie Rikiki Go Drive Is Both Rugged And Metal

Posted: 26 Aug 2010 06:30 PM PDT

LaCie announced the latest in their line of external drives today, the Rikiki Go. Apparently, a Rikiki is a small monkey with a mohawk, as seen in the product documentation on the LaCie website. Regardless of strange marketing tactics, the latest drive has a brushed aluminium enclosure, and integrated USB cable, and comes with automated backup software included with the drive. The Rikiki comes in two sizes, a 500GB for $89.99, and a 1TB for $149. Shiny.

Grace Digital Audio Lets You Rock Out(side) Wirelessly

Posted: 26 Aug 2010 06:00 PM PDT

Grace Digital Audio just launched their latest, a line of wireless, waterproof outdoor speakers designed to work with almost any MP3 player, mobile phone, stereo, computer or CD player. The portable base unit supports up to 10 speakers, with a range of over 150 feet.

There are a couple different models of speaker available, the Schooner II has built in carrying handles and an automatic standby mode that shuts them off after 15 minutes of no audio. Average battery life is about 7 hours, more then enough for that Labor Day BBQ. The Mini Bullets II feature a 3″ speaker with bass boost, and can be powered with an adapter or 6 AA batteries. The Mini Bullets also have a built in mood light for your hot tub rendezvous. The Schooner II cost around $130, and the Mini Bullets are $99.99. Pick ‘em up at your favorite retailer or directly from Grace Digital Audio.

Yet Another Galaxy Tab Video

Posted: 26 Aug 2010 06:00 PM PDT


All right, no more after this. The Galaxy Tab is pretty much what we all expect it to be: a bigger version of the Galaxy smartphone family. But if you’re curious how they’ve adapted their imitation-iPhone interface to fit the larger screen, this little video preview shows a lot more than the previous ones.

My main concern with this thing is the screen resolution. If it uses the same screen tech as the Galaxy handsets, but on a bigger scale, I’m afraid you’ll see a fair amount of screen door effect. It wasn’t really so bad, and the screen is so bright and responsive that it makes up for it, but it is something to worry about if they’re trying to sell these things on visual fidelity.

[via Electronista]

Microsoft Keynoting Tokyo Game Show – Could It Have Something Big?

Posted: 26 Aug 2010 05:30 PM PDT


E3 is over, Gamescom is over, and now we’re looking at the Tokyo Game Show as the next obvious bullet point on the list of “times to announce cool games stuff.” Microsoft seems to be taking advantage, and will be doing one of the big keynotes for the show. “Xbox 360′s Vision and 2010′s Strategy” is the tentative title… not exactly raising the roof with that one, Microsoft, but we’ll give you the benefit of the doubt.

I can’t imagine what it might be, though. Obviously they really let a lot go at E3 with Kinect and the new 360 model. What I’m thinking is they’re going to talk a little bit about the consolidation of Live with Zune and Windows Phone 7. Tie-ins, new media services, Live stuff on handsets… basically pushing the Xbox 360 as the center of a lot of stuff. They’ve done it before.

We’ll probably also see some new Kinect exclusives, maybe some big names. They really need to blow that up soon or hardcore gamers aren’t going to buy that thing at launch.

At any rate, the talk should be on September 16th, the first day of the show, and while we won’t be there (it’s in Tokyo, people), we’ll have all the news here as soon as it drops. And maybe a little before, if we get lucky.

Quick Look: Mint Floor-Cleaning Robot

Posted: 26 Aug 2010 05:00 PM PDT


I’ve been aching to get my hands on a Mint ever since it was introduced at CES this year. It’s a little cleaner robot like the Roomba, but created with hardwood floors in mind. Think of the Roomba as a broom and dustpan, while the Mint is like a Swiffer.

I’ve only had this little guy for long enough to charge him for a few hours and give him the run of the living room once, so this is just a quick overview.

So how is it? It’s cute! And compact. I’m always surprised by how big Roombas really are; the Mint is about the size of a big book or a couple netbooks stacked on top of each other. This means it can get into corners and edge around things easily. It’s three inches tall, which means it’ll go under most furniture and some couches. It fits under my couch just fine, but a low-hanging bookcase hits it on the “forehead,” which to be fair it figured out right away and worked along the edge of.

It’s extremely quiet. If you’re not paying attention, you won’t notice it until it’s bumping into you. But it still has enough torque to push my garbage can around a bit (it wasn’t sure what to make of that).

Very easy to set up. It uses little cloths or Swiffer wipes, which are very easy to install. Then just put its little base somewhere in the room and it syncs up and off it goes. I thought it would restrict itself to the room it’s in, but it found its way into my bedroom through a hallway, and came back after a few minutes. Bonus!

I just wanted to put these pictures up with these first impressions; expect a full review once I try it out for a week or so, get a feel for its battery life, shortcomings, and so on. But I like this little guy. It costs $250, which is a lot more than a broom, but hey.

Gozer the Gozerian, The Traveller Has Come

Posted: 26 Aug 2010 04:30 PM PDT


And boy is he delicious! The Stay-Puft Marshmallows are caffeinated bite-sized pieces of the Destructor and come in a groovy collectable box. No need to claim to be a god on this one, Ray. Just pop ‘em in your mouth!

Two major things to note about these sugary mallows of awake-ti-tude: First, they are gourmet. Delicate and delicious. Second, they are licensed collectibles, which for a marshmallow is pretty awesome. Third, Stay Puft Caffeinated Gourmet Marshmallows come in a marshmallowy-feeling box – a nice reusable keepsake. And finally, fourth: Stay Puft Caffeinated Gourmet Marshmallows are CAFFEINATED! Big time. You feel it as soon as you suck one down. Take that giant marshmallow man; we’re eating your eggs one by one. So get some Stay Puft Caffeinated Gourmet Marshmallows now, relive the 80s, stay awake forever, and satiate the need for sugary revenge.

Thinkgeek++

Valve Thinks They Should Make The Half-Life Movie

Posted: 26 Aug 2010 04:00 PM PDT

In a recent interview with PC Gamer, Valve’s own Gabe Newell took some time to talk about the possibility of a Half-Life movie. Apparently after the smash success of the first game, they were inundated with crappy scripts, and directors who didn’t get what the game was about. As a result, Valve started thinking about how they would make a movie. The result is the ever amusing “Meet the Spy” features that Valve has produced at various times. Newell went on to say that the best people to make a movie about a game, would be the people that made that game. I agree to a certain extent, but keep in mind that scripting skills in a game doesn’t necessarily equal scripting skills for a movie. I have to admit though, I love the storyline in Half-Life series, and would love to see more about the adventures of my brother.

Rogue Robo-Chopper Flies Into Restricted Airspace Above Washington

Posted: 26 Aug 2010 03:34 PM PDT


Well well! I think we all saw this coming! An unmanned robotic combat helicopter, losing its control signal, continues on its merry way into restricted airspace over Washington, DC. Really, what were they thinking?

The MQ-8 Fire Scout, a model being considered for combat deployment, was undergoing testing with a ground crew when its control connection was somehow lost. Instead of circling aimlessly, as UAVs tend to do when they lose signal, it decided to execute part of its program and start flying northwest, entering restricted airspace along the way.

The ground crew managed to catch up and re-establish contact, and of course it’s not like they’d programmed the thing to fire on any moving target — but the event is still a little scary. What happens when a bug like this one (which they just fixed) get deployed to a whole arsenal? I will tell you: Robocalypse, baby.

It actually is reminiscent of an episode of Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex, one of the best actually (“Natural Enemy”), in which some military helicopters go haywire and the team has to draw them away from a delicate situation. Hopefully we won’t have to snipe the cyberbrains out of anyone just yet, though.

[via The Register]

Video: The Amazon Kindle 3 In Direct Sunlight

Posted: 26 Aug 2010 03:00 PM PDT

I realize pictures can go but so far, so here's a quick video of what you can expect when reading on the new Kindle.

You should note that the sun was bright as can be when this was shot, and you can clearly read every single word on the E Ink display. Direct sunlight, you've met your match.

Well, really, that applies to any E Ink display, but this is the latest revision, so it's even easier on the eyes. It's about as far away from staring into an LCD as you can imagine.

LG Prepping 9.7″ Color E-Ink Displays And 19″ Grayscale Ones For Market

Posted: 26 Aug 2010 03:00 PM PDT


E-ink, you are everywhere already. But LG wants you even more everywhere. So they’re putting more effort into the production of bigger, better E-paper displays. They’re showing off a couple new models, though nothing radical. Still, a 9.7″ color E-ink display and a gigantic, flexible tabloid-sized one? Sign me up.

One of the big weaknesses I think e-readers have right now is their rigid form factor. The Kindle 3 looks like a great device to me, but how awesome would it be if you could roll it up or fold it in half? We’re getting there, but I think these new “flexible” displays are really more flexible like cardboard than like paper.

All the hubbub about e-paper versus LCD at the moment is overdone, I think, because traditional LCDs like those in the iPad are mature technologies and unlikely to change much except in resolution. Until we get flexible OLED displays, that is, and they’re even further off than foldable e-paper, if you ask me. So let’s just sit back and watch as e-paper gets better and better, and make choices based on the merits of the devices the displays end up in.

[via Engadget]

The Astounding World Of High Speed Projectile Photography

Posted: 26 Aug 2010 02:30 PM PDT

High speed photography is really cool to see, but difficult to do right. Photographer Lex Augusteijn doesn’t have that problem though, he’s taken some amazing high speed shots using a coilgun and some very careful timing. The end result is amazing, and a lot of fun to look at. Lex also has a complete gallery of his other work that is definitely worth your time to take a look at.

[via Make]

Glasses-Free 3D “Supernova X1″ Tablet Shown Off In China

Posted: 26 Aug 2010 02:00 PM PDT


The autostereoscopic technology behind the 3DS and Toshiba’s HDTVs (to say nothing of glasses-free 3D products for years) is far from secret, so it makes sense that once 3D started blowing up, we’d see it everywhere. This 3D tablet runs Android (if I’m reading correctly) and will make its official debut at IFA. It likely uses a similar lenticular array as the 3DS, as you can adjust the 3D effect or turn it off entirely.

I’d be more excited about the 3D capabilities if there were a way to interact with the 3D images — say, pull a menu item “out” of the screen to interact with it or something. But no, you’ll be reaching right through Buzz Lightyear’s knees to hit that pause button. Guess I should keep my expectations in check.

You know, they call it the Supernova, but the label just says Nova. What’s up with that?

Follow Us On the New Digg

Posted: 26 Aug 2010 01:20 PM PDT

The new Digg is here and clearly it is in your best interests to follow us on it. You can do that by going here and I guess following us. You can also follow us on Twitter and you can follow us home and we’ll keep you like a lost puppy. Whatever floats your boat. We’re just trying to keep current.

Best Buy Getting Into The Used Game Market

Posted: 26 Aug 2010 01:09 PM PDT

Look out GameStop, there’s a new gun in town. And it’s got the brick and mortar locations, name recognition, and marketing power to give you a run for your money. Ol’ blue and yellow is moving into the used game market starting this week and I think some competition will only be a good thing.

Up until this point, GameStop has pretty much been able to do whatever they want in the used game market. From paying less then half of retail and then selling it as used for $5 off the full price, to other dodgy market practices, gamers have had a love/hate relationship with GameStop. Admittedly, Best Buy hasn’t always been everyone’s favorite company, but competition is good – hopefully Best Buy with either be a better choice, or at least force GameStop to stop some of their less savory practices.

Best Buy is launching their new program this week, starting with a massive buy up of used games in about 600 locations. In fact, they are making the deal even sweeter starting the 29th, when you’ll get a $20 Best Buy gift card along with the value of your games (on certain games). You’ll be able to trade-in your games at the customer service desk, or at the dedicated trade-in desk at certain locations. I would have gone and checked this out for you myself, but my local stores aren’t on the list of 600 locations. For more information you can check out Best Buy’s website.

From the press release:

Gaming enthusiasts nationwide now have more reasons to shop Best Buy as their gaming destination. Launching in close to 600 Best Buy stores this week, with additional stores to soon follow, the new Best Buy Trade-In program offers customers an opportunity to sell pre-owned video games. To celebrate the new offering, customers who trade in their games beginning this Sunday, August 29, will receive an additional $20 Best Buy Gift Card on top of the trade-in value on more than 100 popular titles.

“The expansion of our trade-in program reaffirms our commitment to consistently pursue new ways to bring a better gaming experience to consumers,” said Chris Homeister, senior vice president and general manager for the home entertainment group at Best Buy. “Fall marks the launch of several highly-anticipated gaming titles and new technology, and we’re thrilled to provide gamers with innovative ways to connect with the games they love.”

Consumers can now bring their previously played video games into Best Buy and trade them for an instant Best Buy gift card to use for purchasing anything in the store, including any game or gaming accessory. Soon, they will be able to purchase a pre-owned game as well.

Those who take advantage of the new Trade-In program in store can visit the Customer Service desk, or in select locations a dedicated Trade-In desk within the gaming department, to turn in their games. Best Buy will continue to offer a similar program online at BestBuy.com that enables customers to get estimates for their games, mail them in for free and receive a Best Buy gift card 7-14 days later. Trade-In prices in-store will match the prices shown online.

For more information on Trade-In at Best Buy and to locate a store currently participating in the program, visit www.bestbuy.com/gametradein. Stay connected to Best Buy Gaming via Twitter and Facebook at Twitter.com/RZGamersClub and Facebook.com/BestBuyGaming.


Leaked iPod Cases Show New iPod Nano Design

Posted: 26 Aug 2010 12:58 PM PDT


We’ve already seen a few pieces of the new iPod touch, which, though it may not be a carbon copy of the iPhone 4 minus the phone, it’ll probably follow the example of previous devices in providing similar functionality. The new Nano, though — we’ve had some speculation based on the tiny touchscreen leaked a while back, but I was skeptical of the usability of such a wee thing. But these leaked cases seem to indicate that yes, the new Nano is a tiny, touchable square.

The tiny cases suggest a square-faced device with space on the back for a clip. It looks to be the right size for a 3cm square touchscreen, and while my doubts remain about the usefulness of such a thing, it still is a fun idea and I’m excited to see what Apple has done to make it usable.

Guess we’ll find out on the first!

[via Electronista]

Mag Gun Is Like A Game Gun Crossed With A Wiimote

Posted: 26 Aug 2010 12:22 PM PDT


I’ve tried out a few of these gun-like controllers in my time, from the silly (just a controller shaped like a gun) to the awesome (pico-projector built-in), and of course everyone loves the Redneck Techie and his Game Gun. But variety is the spice of life, and this Mag Gun has a different system than all of them that may make it worth a look.

The Mag Gun is compatible with 360 and PS3, and has buttons all over it which correspond to the face and trigger buttons on the controllers. The left analog stick is there under your left thumb, but the right analog stick (usually used for aiming) is simulated by a system that’s so simple I’m embarrassed Nintendo didn’t think of it first.

The controller has a wide-angle camera in its tip, and to calibrate it, all you have to do it point it at the center of the TV. It then (if my analysis is correct) simply tracks the luminance image of the TV (it’s a distinctive rectangular shape, obviously) and uses that to determine where the gun is pointing. That’s very smart! It has all the same drawbacks and advantages of the Wiimote, which just uses IR instead of the TV’s visible spectrum. It’s actually a very smart system, I’m impressed!

The Mag Gun just passed through the FCC, so it’s not really being marketed or branded yet, but depending on its real-life performance, you might actually see these at your local Toys R Us or GameStop.

Can The Government Track You Via GPS Without Your Knowledge Or Permission?

Posted: 26 Aug 2010 12:00 PM PDT

The government is coming after you! Run for the hills! Oh, wait, the government owns the hills! Shrill, yes, but there's a point. A recent article in Time magazine paints a fairly scary picture of the potential for the government to use GPS (originally a military creation, remember) to track your every move. Will this happen? Eh, pretty hard to see that happening — but it could happen. Maybe.

What's going on is that a recent court decision, in California, "recently decided the government can monitor you in this way virtually anytime it wants—with no need for a search warrant."

Apparently the "reasonable expectation of privacy" doesn't apply to your driveway anymore (when it always had in the past), so the G Men could, if they wanted, plant a GPS tracking device on your car, and watch as you drive to and fro'. "Looks like Smith is visiting Taco Bell again, let's grab him."

Does anyone honestly expect that to happen? I respect the surrounding discussion, but I cannot believe that the generally incompetent government is going to go around and bug regular people's cars.

There's 300 million Americans, and you're the one that's on their radar.

I just find it a little bit far fetched, I guess.

But hey, nothing wrong with a good ol' fashioned debate on your rights and privacy in general.

Sony: The Move Will Be Like The EyeToy: Not An Instant Hit, But Slowly & Steadily Succesful

Posted: 26 Aug 2010 11:00 AM PDT

"Am I expecting a massive day one [for the Move]? Not particularly. We didn’t with EyeToy, either. It went on to be massively successful." These are the words of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe senior vice-president Ray Maguire. Is Sony trying to lower expectations or just being frank? Perhaps a little bit of both.

Speaking at the Edinburgh Interactive Festival (the Edinburgh festival is pretty much the only festival that matters anymore), Sony told Eurogamer:

As people saw the value when they tried [the EyeToy] they told their friends. Their friends bought it. They told their friends. Word of mouth grew the marketplace. That’s what I expect from Move as well.

That suggests a few things. One, Sony doesn't want to spend a boatload of money advertising the Move. Otherwise why bother relying on word of mouth? It's a very indie way of doing things.

Two, the Move will be a slow burner. It'll be released in the fall as "hardcore" gamers are spending their money on the likes of Gran Turismo 5, Medal of Honor, Call of Duty: Black Ops, Fable III, and so on. These people aren't necessarily going to be clamoring for a fancy new input system when the one they're using to play these games are just fine. It's like what John Carmack said the other day: you can't bolt on a new input system onto an already established type of game.

The Move (and Kinect) clearly isn't for me, but I can at least appreciate what's going on under the hood.
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