News and insight into biometric identification and authentication

Review: Facial recognition in Apple's iPhoto

Wednesday, October 7, 2009


Apple Inc. is taking facial recognition biometrics to the masses by including the technology in the latest version of iPhoto, the computer company’s photo management software. iPhoto is one of a suite of products in iLife, which includes movie, audio and Web design tools.

Apple sent me a copy of the software to and I gave it a spin to see how it worked.

It took about 15 minutes to install the software on my two-year-old MacBook. During this time it was also searching my photo library of more than 1,900 images to find faces, a process that took about 45 minutes.

There are 316 words in the rest of this article …

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Neurotechnology announced that it has developed three versions of embedded solutions for Android-powered devices such as smart phones and tablets.

Specifically, Neurotechnology has ported its VeriFinger Embedded software development kit (SDK), which authenticates user identities via fingerprints, VeriLook Embedded SDK, which authenticates user identities via facial recognition, and MegaMatcher Embedded SDK, which authenticates user identities via both fingerprints and facial recognition. A version that utilizes iris recognition also is in the works.

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The facial recognition feature that’s part of the most recent incarnation of the Android mobile device operating system called Ice Cream Sandwich is being panned as very easily fooled, according to an Information Week article.

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In a new patent application by Apple, the company appears to be looking to incorporate user face recognition via front-facing cameras on its devices, according to an Apple Insider article.

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A new Morpho company under the Safran group has been launched called MorphoTrust USA.

The new company, which was formed after the acquisition of three divisions and the headquarters of former biometrics developer L-1 Identity Solutions, will serve as an identity solutions provider dedicated to the U.S. market only.

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Viv.ie, a start-up located in Ireland working on face recognition technology, announced it is finishing a new type of facial recognition technology that does away with a number of the security pitfalls current facial recognition technology is commonly guilty of, according to a Sydney Morning Herald article.

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Federal Trade Commission staff is seeking public comments on the issues raised at a FTC workshop exploring facial recognition technology and the privacy and security implications raised by its increasing use.

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