Windows 8 Facial Recognition

[Lewis]

Windows 8 Facial Recognition Moves Closer to Reality

Apr 23, 2011 11:10 am

We've known for almost a year that Microsoft is building facial recognition technology into Windows 8, potentially offering a more secure (and fun) way to log into your computer.
Now it appears Microsoft is getting closer to making this reality, according to websites that have published leaked early builds of the next-generation operating system.
A VISUAL HISTORY: Microsoft Windows after 25 years
A "detect human presence" API is in an early copy of Windows 8, according to an article on Slashgear which links back to leaked Windows 8 images published by Windows8Italia.
Details are scarce, but this could be related to facial recognition technologies noted in mid-2010 in Windows 8 planning documents that Microsoft shared with partners.
After those planning documents were leaked last year, we reported the following:
By 2012 sensors such as microphones, cameras, GPS, accelerometers, and temperature and magnetic sensors will be common in most PCs, allowing Windows 8 to interact with the user's environment in new and interesting ways.
One scenario uses facial recognition software to verify a user's identity.
"Amish walks into his home office," Microsoft writes in one of many fictional scenarios outlined in the Windows 8 slide decks. "The proximity sensor on his PC detects motion, and wakes the PC. By the time Amish sits down, his PC is powered up. It scans his face and logs him in. Finally, when Amish gets up and leaves, his PC notices that he's gone and locks itself and powers down."

Windows 8 may also eliminate the need for remembering passwords across multiple websites.
"Password pain has reached a tipping point," Microsoft says. "Windows 8 could include a way to securely store usernames and passwords, simplifying the online experience."
That squares with another part of what Windows8Italia is reporting. According to a Google translation, the early build of Windows 8 suggests it "will be possible to access the personalization, bookmarks and content from any computer."
Microsoft already offers facial recognition on gaming systems through Kinect and Xbox Live. Lenovo announced facial recognition login in laptops as far back as 2007, and built-in cameras are pretty standard in computers nowadays. Building facial recognition into Windows 8 itself would greatly expand use of the technology.

Windows 8 Facial Recognition Moves Closer to Reality - PCWorld

 

[Theofilus]

This will be great! If you shave your beard, you won't be able to log onto your computer any more, because it won't recognize you. Isn't technology wonderful?

 

[bigllama]

This will be great! If you shave your beard, you won't be able to log onto your computer any more, because it won't recognize you. Isn't technology wonderful?

Actually, it does work pretty well. My friend put windows 7 on his laptop and it allows you to use your face as a password. He said it works even after he gets haircuts. I don't know about beards though, we are Asian and don't have any facial hair yet. The only problem with this is that you could probably print out a picture of someone and put it in front of the camera to get access to their computer.

 

[Mike]

This does look interesting. One of our laptops has Window 7 on it, so I was checking out the compatibility. I didn't realize this OS had the capability, but I guess I just need to get software. This is of no importance to me, so the only software for me would be FREE software.

 

[Pard]

It exists. I can do that with Windows 7, but I choose not to, since I don't have a password at all.

 

[mcgyver]

One scenario uses facial recognition software to verify a user's identity.
"Amish walks into his home office," Microsoft writes in one of many fictional scenarios outlined in the Windows 8 slide decks.

OK, I got tickled over this one....maybe it ought to be: Amish walks into his home office, lights the oil lamp. Windows 8 installs electricity, materializes a monitor and computer, puts in a telephone line with DSL...etc., etc,. etc.

Windows 8 has got to be one whale of a system!!!! :D

Maybe it'll even recognize Amish's horse! Wadda ya think? :p

 

[tim-from-pa]

Which only goes to show how out of touch Microsoft continues to be --- like the comments said, there's going to be trouble with this one and people will be worked up when they can't log on. But even if they could, there's still those myriads of viruses that continue to plague sickly Microsoft, and I would not be surprised if as a joke a virus writer would easily crash the system so that it only logs on with Bin Laden's face.

Like I said on a another thread, so mark my words, when Windows 8 goes on portable devices, cell phones and whatnot, people are going to "all of a sudden" be plagued with viruses. It's going to be awfully frustrating for a teenage daughter to be broken down in the middle of nowhere and uses her phone with Window 8 only to have it dial a Chinese porn number instead of home and racking up the bill to top it off.

This Operating system gets more stupid by the year.

 

[mcgyver]

From a bumper sticker I saw:

We Are Microsoft. You Will Be Assimilated.

Resistance Is Futile.

:p

Derail is over now......
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