Baidu AI helps parents find their abducted son 27 years later

Facial recognition tech has loads of application other than the creepy ones that put your privacy at risk. In China, for instance, it has helped a couple find their son 27 years after he was abducted. Fu Gui thought it was strange that he only had vague memories of his childhood, so he uploaded a photo taken when he was 10 years old to a website called Baobeihuijia, which translates to “Baby Come Home.” Little did he know that his parents would also upload his childhood photos on the website a few months later and that Baidu’s facial recognition tech would bring them back together.

Tens of thousands of kids are abducted in China every year and are either sold to foster parents or to more sinister individuals who’d use them for prostitution or child slavery. Baobeihuijia was created to reunite families torn apart by those abductions. For years, its volunteers would painstakingly compare images uploaded by parents against those uploaded by people looking for their families or by concerned citizens one by one. This March, though, Baidu offered the group its cross-age facial recognition technology, which it’s been testing since November last year.

Baidu’s AI already found a few matches since the website started using it a couple of months ago: Gui’s was one of them, and he and his parents even proved it with a DNA test. The system is still far from perfect and can only match photos taken six years apart. Still, China’s answer to Google says its technology is 99.77 percent accurate, and it can definitely pore over photos faster than humans can.

Source: Vocativ, Creativity

Thwart purse-snatchers with this hidden smoke and dye bomb

For anyone worrying a thief might steal their handbag and disappear, Malaysian sportswear company Ash Be Nimble has a new preventative measure. Its Handbag Dyetonator is a small accessory that spews smoke and splashes the offender in ink, marking them for the police to identify later.

The Dyetonator is triggered by an SMS message, so it conceivably won’t go out of range unless the thief ventures belowground. As the video suggests, the product was made to thwart motorcycle-bound robbers that snatch purses and zoom ahead to disappear before police can be summoned. Even if the thief gets away, the Dyetonator has a GPS tracker.

There are obvious drawbacks: Someone could simply ditch the exploded pod, and surely its explosion would splatter over the bag or inside its contents. But it puts a little power back in the hands of people worried about rampant thieves. Unfortunately, the Dyetonator isn’t in stores yet, as it was created in partnership with advertising agency Ogilvy — but if you’re lucky, you can test it an early model by signing up for the trial group.

Via: Mashable

Source: Handbag Dyetonator

The Senate has finished encrypting all its websites

Google would approve of the Senate’s latest security move: according to ZDNet, it has just finished encrypting its main website and all its Senators’ pages. You’ll now see a small lock in their address bars when you visit, along with the HTTPS protocol indicative of encrypted websites. They’re what tells you that you’re on the right page and not on some copycat’s that’s trying to steal your info. ZDNet says it took the Senate a year to complete the migration, since its IT department had to migrate everything on its own. It received no help from any of America’s agencies like the executive branch did when the White House wanted to make HTTPS a standard for all federal websites.

We’re way past the point wherein only bank and email portals need to be encrypted. You’ll hear more and more cases of security breaches every day, and encrypting websites is now cheaper than ever. Google has been pushing the web to switch to the HTTPS protocol by slowly but surely limiting unencrypted destinations on Chrome. The browser now warns you whenever you visit a non-HTTPs site and even whenever you type anything into an unencrypted page if you insist on visiting it anyway. Google’s ultimate goal is to flag everything on the web that doesn’t use encryption, which clearly won’t be a problem for the Senate anymore.

Source: ZDNet

Opera Web Browser Redesign Brings Quick Access to Chat Apps

Opera web browser has undergone a major user interface redesign that features quick access tools to popular messaging apps including WhatsApp, Telegram, and Facebook Messenger (via TechCrunch).

Codenamed “Reborn”, the design overhaul project has been evident in beta builds for some weeks, but the new browser version is now available as a stable release and existing users should receive the update automatically over the next few days.

The messaging service access appears as sidebar icon for each chat platform, which invokes a popup with existing conversation lists. Users are able to start chatting from the sidebar while they browse the web. Chat app shortcuts are also displayed on the Speed Dial homepage.

Buttons and tabs have been reworked, with more prominent shadows and subtle animations. Also included in the redesign are new-look Speed Dial themes, refreshed icons, and a new dark mode featuring dark toolbars.

Opera also continues to include a free VPN and a built-in ad blocker. The web browser is a free download for Mac from the Opera website.

Tag: Opera browser
Discuss this article in our forums

How Can EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard Free Help Your Business to Avoid Losses?

Do you know that losing data could affect your reputation? Such a loss is capable of causing your customers to flee. It erases all the records you kept of monies owed and payments due. It destroys the records you kept of your clients’ contact details. It eliminates the orders clients had placed for some of the products or services you sell. Data loss isn’t something to be taken lightly. Fortunately, a remedy in the form of EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard Free is available.

It’s good to understand how data loss occurs. The main causes include:

1. accidental deletion
2. theft
3. fire
4. the storage media damaged physically
5. failure of operating system or hardware

No More Lost Data

Record-keeping is crucial in running a business successfully. Securing the records you keep should be prioritized. Many data recovery tools can only recover data. However, the difference between EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard Free and the rest is that it guarantees you ‘No More Lost Data’. Something important worth mentioning here is that this free data recovery software is the perfect tool for scanning your removable device, PC, or laptop.

Upgrade to Pro

When you want to go to the next step and recover everything you thought was lost, you would have to upgrade to the Pro version. To enjoy this benefit, you should launch the software. Afterward, scan your device or computer. Thereafter, give it time to embark on recovering lost data. The free trial version, just as is the case with all other similar software, can only do so much. The Pro version gives you all the features and capabilities you need to recover data.

Whether the data loss is a result of formatting, accidental deletion, hard drive failure or virus attack, you can trust this  recovery software to provide solutions. Loss that’s the result of partitioning, RAW partitioning, system crash and other causes doesn’t have to stress you to the high heavens. There isn’t anything that the software can’t do. Not only is it easy to use but also safe on your server, laptop, PC and removable devices.

Why Invest in this Data Recovery Software?

EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard Free is worth investing in because of the following:

• it guarantees clear results
• it has a high success rate
• it is efficient and exact
• it is flexible and saves time

How much does it cost?

As you probably know, EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard Free costs nothing. The Pro version, on the other hand, costs $69.95. The software’s Data Recovery Wizard Pro + WinPE version goes for $99.90. The two pro versions have free trials. EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard Free can help you to recover up to 2GB of last data. The Pro and Pro + WinPE versions, on the other hand, allow you to recover as much data as you desire.

EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard Free is available to use immediately after downloading. On the other hand, you will be able to use the other two versions only after buying them. The software’s user interface makes data recovery easier. The newly updated version has improved scanning and made it better than ever before. The software supports various languages. After recovering the lost data, the software saves it so that you can access it any time.

‘Secret World Legends’ arrives on Steam on June 26th

The Secret World’s mix of supernatural horror and real world settings made it a cult hit with MMO fans, but the game’s developers are now gearing up to bring even more players into fold on the game’s 10-year anniversary. The rebooted, free-to-play “shared-world action RPG” version of the game, now titled Secret World Legends, goes live on Steam on June 26th.

The Legends storyline once again drops players into a global secret war between good and evil, with quests that investigate anything from conspiracy theories to ancient myths and legends. When it’s released next month, Secret World Legends will include the original eight story-driven episodes, and players can either work through it alone or party up with strangers they meet along the way. Agartha, the game’s central hub, acts as a meeting and jumping off point to adventure areas ranging from sleepy New England towns to the deserts of Egypt.

Of course, the new version also includes some updated visuals, a new progression system and a more immersive, reticle-based combat style. Funcom assures players that it will be rolling out additional free quests in the future and everything in the game can be earned without spending a penny. You will, however, still have to pony up for a micro-transaction with the new Aurum currency system if you want certain upgrades like extra character slots, additional weapon pages and exclusive vanity items.

Secret World Legends hits Steam on June 26th, a non-Steam version is expected to follow soon after.

Source: Secret World Legends

Slack predictably rejects a bot made for flirting at work

Dating app Feeld released a Slack plug-in enabling coworkers to express mutual affection for each other, and a few days later, Slack has revealed it doesn’t make the cut. Feeld founder Dimo Trifonov told The Atlantic he’s been informed the app will not be listed in Slack’s directory because of its developer policy, which says “We will remove Apps that we consider to be inappropriate for use in the workplace or that negatively impact the user experience on Slack. We reserve the right to remove or refuse any app that contains content that we believe violates the letter or spirit of these guidelines.”

Despite the sudden popularity of messenger bots for all kinds of activities, this always seemed like a bad idea for the workplace. When you consider that it could only work if an administrator turned it on (note: it can still be installed, if you go through the step of downloading it from Feeld’s website first), and opened the company up to potential responsibility for whatever might ensue, it seems doubtful that anyone would make this mistake. On Twitter, Trifonov claimed installs in “over 150 companies and over 250 matches,” if you’ll believe that.

Now, the app is hidden away, Feeld has gotten the publicity from its stunt and we can all move on.

Via: NY Mag

Source: The Atlantic

Cortana, turn on the lights! Leak shows Microsoft getting into home automation

Why it matters to you

You will soon be able to manage your smart home from a Windows 10 PC, if this leak is correct

As Digital Trends reported a few months back, Microsoft plans to compete in the smart home automation game by adding a “Home Hub” feature to Windows 10 PCs. However, The Verge has leaked new information from internal sources pertaining to Home Hub, and how the feature will likely work.

According to The Verge, a Windows 10 update in September will include a variety of features, including improvements to Cortana and support for third party smart home devices. It appears Windows 10 PCs will soon be the newest home automation managers.

Instead of using a standalone device like Echo, the user will be able to control a variety of smart home devices (Hue, Nest, and more) from within Windows 10. In addition to controlling smart devices, Home Hub will be designed for families, as it will feature a welcome screen that’s “always on.” This provides families with constant access to their to-do lists, calendars, and notes.

It seems as though you’ll be able to issue voice commands to Cortana, and she’ll be able to turn your lights on and off, adjust your thermostat, or manage your family calendar; and, you’ll be able to do all of this on a fully functional Windows 10 PC.

“Microsoft appears to be readying Windows 10 for future devices that are similar to Amazon’s new Echo Show hardware, with easy access to voice search, calling, and smart device control. Microsoft’s differentiator is that it wants these devices to be considered full Windows 10 PCs,” reports The Verge.

Home Hub’s always on welcome screen is designed for new, smaller hardware that will support voice commands given from a distance. Microsoft has reportedly been working with HP and Lenovo, who plan to have PCs ready for the holidays that are optimal for the new Home Hub features. Microsoft is also holding a special event in Shanghai on May 23rd to “show the world what’s next.”

Google is making 360-degree cameras Street View-ready

It can be a pain to upload your own Street View photos even if you have a 360-degree camera. You may have to stop to take photos every few feet, and then there’s the question of getting the spherical shots from your camera to the internet. Google thinks it can help. It’s working with hardware partners on “Street View ready” standards that will certify 360-degree cameras based on how easily you can post shots. Street View mobile ready devices let you post directly from an app, with no PC required; auto ready cameras, meanwhile, are designed for capturing high-accuracy shots from your car. VR ready cameras collect the geometry you need for (what else?) virtual reality and connected 360-degree shots, while workflow ready cameras come with publishing tools that upload directly to Street View. In at least some cases, uploading is just a matter of recording some footage (even on the move) and loading an app.

There will be 20 certified cameras arriving in 2017. Logically, not all of them get the same certifications — as you can see below, it varies from brand to brand. You’d want to gravitate toward companies like Yi Technology for a mobile ready camera, for instance, while you’d want to look at a company such as Matterport for VR. As for the most recognizable names in the business, like GoPro and Samsung? They’re certified as workflow ready.

The move may help kickstart demand for 360-degree cameras, since it gives you a reason to buy one even if you have no interest in VR. Want to show friends what it was really like on the beach? You now have an easy solution. Pros creators might particularly appreciate the auto and workflow certifications. Also, this could have a ripple effect on Google’s other businesses. If you already have a camera for Street View, it’s not a stretch to post 360-degree videos on YouTube. And of course, there’s a chance you’ll want a VR headset (like Google’s Daydream View) to increase the immersion. This probably won’t usher in a 360-degree revolution, but every little nudge might help with Google’s long-term ambitions.

Source: Google

Apple just bought a popular sleep tracker

Those rumors of Apple Watch sleep tracking just got more tangible. Apple has acquired Beddit, a company whose business revolves around a sleep monitoring device as well as companion iOS and Watch apps. The fate of Beddit’s products isn’t clear (we’ve reached out to both Apple and Beddit), but they’re surviving for now — the only difference is that you’re now subject to Apple’s privacy policy instead of Beddit’s own. Neither side has discussed future plans, but the implications are clear.

Sleep tracking is one of those areas where the Apple Watch falls short compared to activity trackers. You can get third-party apps that will provide some functionality, but that’s clearly not as slick as having built-in software or sleep-oriented hardware. If that’s what Apple is focusing on, you could buy the Watch knowing that it would cover health tracking at all hours of the day — you wouldn’t need to stick to a fitness band (or consider owning two wearables) just to improve your rest. It’s easy to see Beddit’s technology helping with other devices, too, as you could get detailed sleep data in iOS’ Health app.

Beddit-derived sleep features aren’t likely to show up in iOS 11, watchOS 4 or the third-generation Watch. If they have sleep tracking at all, it’ll likely be Apple’s in-house technology. However, this at least reflects Apple’s seriousness on the subject. There are issues to solve before the Watch is an ideal sleep device (battery life, anyone?), but you might just see a time where you have a good reason to leave it on when you’re ready to rest.

Via: 9to5Mac

Source: Beddit