Luxand announced release of a free, downloadable version of its Blink! facial recognition software. The software provides as a biometric-based login service Windows 7 and Windows Vista operating systems via a user’s regular webcam. In addition to authenticating the individual accessing the computer, Blink! also takes and records a still image of each person trying to access the computer to help prevent unauthorized access, and touts the ability to correctly recognize stored faces despite poor lighting conditions or basic changes in a user’s look such as glasses or hair cuts.  

Biometric Signature ID (BSI) announced positive results from a study of their software-only approach to biometric authentication for students using PCs. The new solution utilizes gesture biometrics via a user’s mouse and is envisioned to provide distance-learning students a more effective and secure means of accessing personal student files, discussion groups and other private areas of school networks. 

Airports in Barcelona and Madrid in Spain have installed self-service kiosks available for use by holders of Spanish citizen ID cards or European Community electronic passports, according to a Pro Security Zone article.

The kiosks, which are expected to relieve long lines for those traveling into the country, require a positive scan of both a cardholder’s face and fingerprint. 

Entrust Inc. has been selected to deploy its security solutions for Finland’s Population Register Centre. After implementing its Extended Access Control (EAC) e-passport solution more than two-years ago, Entrust has begun deployment of its Single Point of Contact (SPOC) infrastructure for e-passports.

This SPOC technology is the standard method for certificate management between countries for support of EAC-enabled e-passports, which enables a country like Finland, with this system, to communicate directly between SPOCs for international EAC certificate requests and responses. 

Skeletal scanning technology developed at Wright State University could hold potential as a new biometric mode particularly effective in weeding out people of interest from crowds, according to an Ubergizmo article.

The researchers behind the technology claim that each individual’s bones are unique enough that, if combined with bone density and other aspects that may be known about the individual’s skeletal structure such as past injuries and extra ribs or lumbar vertebrae, that bone scans could be a promising technology for picking out known terrorists and other criminal s in crowded areas such as sporting events or theme parks. 

3M and Cogent Inc. announced that they have entered into a agreement for 3M’s acquisition of Cogent Inc. for approximately $943 million, or $10.50 per share.

Cogent Inc. provides finger, palm, face and iris biometric systems for governments, law enforcement agencies and commercial enterprises. The agreement provides for a subsidiary of 3M to commence a tender offer to purchase all outstanding shares of Cogent Systems within ten business days. 

M2SYS Technology, a developer of biometric technology solutions, has announced it has reached a partnership agreement with Boriana Ltd. that will see Boriana distributing M2SyS technology.

Among the different offerings from M2SYS that Boriana will be distributing in their network are software for the Hitachi finger vein and Fujitsu palm vein scanners and M2SYS’ Hybrid Biometric Platform system.