Watch a human face emerge from a bunch of overlain, inanimate objects
As the brain attempts to organize the visual world, it hones in on familiar patterns — like the shape of a human face — and sometimes, it even concocts these patterns out of random noise. We spot faces in all sorts of inanimate objects, from grilled cheese to buildings to coffee makers. Some objects are even designed with the human face in mind, at times to a creepy degree, as artist Robby Kraft found. Kraft used face-detection tech from Kyle McDonald (on GitHub) to overlay about 67 images of human faces found in the #selfie tag on Instagram; these created an “average” human face after about 15 images (above, left). He ran about 125 inanimate objects tagged #FacesInThings through the same software and, again after just 15 images, an eerily “average” human face emerged from the compilation (above, right).
Via: Forbes
Source: Robby Kraft
Lowe’s updated connected home system is built for your phone
While most connected home devices on the market were introduced as mobile-first solutions, the Lowe’s Iris system on the other hand, required new users to set it up via a browser. After set up — while the mobile app was able to share status information and access features like turning items on and off — it was still a desktop-heavy setup. Today the hardware store-turned developer is fixing that with a new platform built from the ground up with a mobile-first strategy and updated devices.
Source: Lowes
Microsoft delays tool that will bring Android apps to Windows
Microsoft has confirmed that a tool that lets Android apps easily run on Windows 10 is “not ready,” according Windows Central and other sources. The software giant introduced the Windows Bridge for Android, dubbed “Project Astoria,” earlier this year as part of a larger effort to help app-builders easily convert Web, iOS and Android apps to Windows. Developers complained that it still isn’t available (unlike the other apps), though Microsoft hasn’t said the project is in trouble. However, the Project Astoria forums have gone dark and Microsoft removed the Android subsystem from the last Windows 10 Mobile preview, suggesting it may be killed altogether.
Via: Windows Central, Re/Code
Computers learn how to spot hidden facial expressions
Machines are good at spotting obvious emotions like smiles, but they’re not so hot at detecting the extremely brief microexpressions that reveal when people are covering up their true feelings. They may have a keener eye in the future, though: researchers have developed a computer vision algorithm that magnifies facial expressions, making it possible to catch the tiniest bit of displeasure or surprise. While some humans have a knack for spotting these subtle cues, the algorithm is far more effective in early tests — you likely wouldn’t fool the computer into thinking everything was hunky dory.
Source: ArXiv.org
Roadmap of Android Marshmallow updates for Samsung devices has been leaked
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Samsung has always been sheepish when it comes to revealing when their devices will get software updates, so the responsibility of informing the masses usually falls to leaked information, as it has this time. In a leaked Samsung document, the roadmap for Android Marshmallow updates for Samsung devices has been revealed, including at what state their approval (presumably with Google) is at. Predictably, Samsung’s latest devices like the Note 5 and S6 Edge+ will be the first to be updated with the cutoff for updates sitting around the Galaxy S5 and the Galaxy Alpha.
Perhaps excitingly for Samsung owners, the dates listed are quite soon with the Note 5 and S6 Edge+ updates due for rollout in December of this year. Of course, the speed of the rollout will depend no what region you are in and is further affected if your device has carrier software on it as well. The document also details a second phase of updates which will be coming to Samsung’s Galaxy A and Galaxy E range of mid-range devices, though the timetable for this is unclear, and presumably Samsung can still change these plans on a dime. A third phase is also referred to, but that seems even less likely.
What do you think about Samsung’s roadmap for Android Marshmallow updates for Samsung devices? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Source: Times News via Phone Arena
The post Roadmap of Android Marshmallow updates for Samsung devices has been leaked appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
The Pentagon’s plan to outsource lethal cyber-weapons
The Pentagon has quietly put out a call for vendors to bid on a contract to develop, execute and manage its new cyber weaponry and defense program. The scope of this nearly half-billion-dollar “help wanted” work order includes counterhacking, as well as developing and deploying lethal cyberattacks — sanctioned hacking expected to cause real-life destruction and loss of human life.
In June 2016, work begins under the Cyberspace Operations Support Services contract (pdf) under CYBERCOM (United States Cyber Command). The $460 million project recently came to light and details the Pentagon’s plan to hand over its IT defense and the planning, development, execution, management, integration with the NSA, and various support functions of the U.S. military’s cyberattacks to one vendor.
Tim Cook says Apple will learn from discrimination seen in Australia store
A video hit the web this week showing Apple store employees in Melbourne, Australia, kicking out a group of black teenagers because security was worried “they might steal something.” In the video, the teens (from Sudan and Somalia) repeatedly question the employees’ concerns, but they only response they receive is, “End of discussion. I need to ask you to leave our store.” Apple swiftly apologized and a senior manager from the site visited the students involved to assure them they were welcome at the store. Apple CEO Tim Cook sent an email to employees calling the incident “unacceptable,” asserting the company’s commitment to inclusivity and pledging to re-train its leadership in stores worldwide (as unearthed by Buzzfeed). “While I firmly believe that this was an isolated incident rather than a symptom of a broader problem in our stores, we will use this moment as an opportunity to learn and grow,” he writes.
Source: Buzzfeed
Gmail will soon warn you when an unencrypted message arrives
In its on-going quest to lock down your email communication, Google is working on a new notification system for Gmail. The alerts will let you know when you receive a message from an incoming mail server that’s not encrypted. Mountain View continues its work on email security, partnering with researchers to analyze changes since 2013. A multi-year study found that while email security improved over the last two years, threats from those tampering with SSL requests and malicious DNS servers. The issues don’t impact Gmail to Gmail messages, but they could cause issues with correspondence from outside email providers. So, to combat the issue, Google came up with the warning system. Those Warnings will alert users to potential dangers, and they’re expected to roll out in the months to come.
Via: TechCrunch
Source: Google
Snapchat’s ‘lens store’ is full of 99-cent selfie filters
Snapchat debuted in-app purchases back in September with the arrival of replays, and now it’s offering more ways for you to spice up your selfies. The ephemeral messaging app introduced what it’s calling a “lens store” today, a collection of photo flair priced at 99 cents each. Lenses aren’t new to Snapchat. In fact, they’ve been around for a while now. However, in addition to the seven or so free lenses that are available each day, there will be an addition 30 paid options. Once you hand over $1 to secure one, it’s yours forever, showing up in the app between the free and paid add-ons.
Via: The Verge
Source: Google Play, iTunes
In the App Store, love comes cheap
When you’re a writer, people expect you to write. And when you’re courting someone the pressure to write for them, and to do it well, is amplified. My most recent romantic conquest, a Mexican interior designer, lived in LA. He was a diehard romantic, hundreds of miles away, and despite a slight language barrier, he had a way with words that I struggled to match. He had the ability to make me melt with a single text. I, in turn, would sit for minutes at a time, wringing my heart and brain for just one drop of sweet sentiment.
AIVAnet 
