DailyDirt: Everything Will Recognize You

Cameras are everywhere. High resolution image sensors are getting really small, and they're not just in smartphones anymore. Some folks used to joke about combining cameras with all kinds of gadgets/appliances, but it's not really a joke anymore. Maybe your toaster doesn't have a camera yet, but there could be a microwave oven or refrigerator with some crazy sensors in your kitchen someday. Big Brother might be an internet of things.

• A blind person's cane instantly broadcasts that the person using it is visually impaired, but a smarter version of a cane could include cameras and software to be able to identify faces from 30 feet away. Developers are already working on prototypes of a "smart cane" that includes GPS and other sensors, but it's not clear if anyone with a visual impairment would actually want to use a fancy digital cane regularly. [url]
• Facial recognition software is scanning a LOT of photos nowadays and getting better (and perhaps creepier) all the time. This kind of vast collection of biometric data could make it a lot harder to remain private in the future (without wearing large brim hats or crazy makeup), but it could also make things more convenient. Have we already traded too much privacy for convenience? [url]
• Iris scanners can identify people from 40 feet away, and researchers have a system that can identify a driver from an eye reflection in a side-view car mirror. Forget about license plate readers... Wear your mirrored sunglasses at all times. [url]

After you've finished checking out those links, take a look at our Daily Deals for cool gadgets and other awesome stuff.

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