Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Android 4.0 Face Unlock App


           Facial recognition is becoming more popular and affordable as time progresses.  One unique facial recognition feature that has been recently released is the Face Unlock application for the Android phone.  The features of this app include the latest technology.  The app allows the phone to scan your facial profile and stores it to the phone. After this process has been completed, you can then look at your phone and it will unlock the device.  This feature allows each person’s device to be even more personal. 

            The argument from many people is that use of the facial recognition software allows the Android phone to be easily “fooled” with the use of another face. Some Android customers believe that anyone can use a similar picture to hack into their phones.  In order to silence the critics, Android has introduced “back-up” recognition software that uses a standard PIN or Patterns.

            I believe this feature is not one that would be beneficial for Android phone users.  Anytime someone uses their face as a source of recognition, they run the risk of allowing themselves to become more vulnerable.  A simple PIN code is indeed more efficient because it is less likely a phone can be hacked, and it decreases the risk of another person easily getting information from your phone by putting their face in front of it to get access.  One primary reason I believe PIN codes should be used is there are always chances of computer glitches occurring in this software.  

11 comments:

  1. I'm skeptical about facial recognition software. I believe it can be useful in same cases, such as locating criminals. But, I agree, it is not beneficial for a cell phone. Is it faster to unlock your phone with facial recognition software?

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    1. Facial recognition software used for unlocking a cell phone is more of a commodity right now. Because the software is not very strong, there are concerns that someone other than yourself can unlock it.

      The solution to this problem is to have an additional step built into the unlocking process, which requires you to enter a pin number.

      As facial recognition software evolves, the glitches will disappear, but as of now, the time it takes to initiate the software, take a picture, and possibly type in your pin number as an added security measure makes the software inefficient in terms of time.

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    2. Oh, and facial recognition doesn't work in the dark. Or under the table where the professor can't see it. :-D So for now it is much less convenient for me than a traditional unlock code.

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    3. Haha. But, students don't ever use their phones in class, right? :)

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  2. I totally agree with this blog! I can admit the older I get, the more paranoid I become. So I know I have a bias. I love technology and I think it's amazing where it is and where it is going, however I am more "old school." I still like hard copies of documents, and I prefer to hand write rather than type. This facial recognition does put you in a more vulnerable position UNTIL it is fully developed. I don't feel comfortable being the guinea pig for this feature!...I don't even trust have a banking app...I know I'm like an old person. I'm getting there...

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  3. While I think this is an interesting technology, I do not see it as being that beneficial of a selling point. I imagine myself standing in the store, listening to the sales rep talk with me about facial recognition. I cannot even think of anything that would be alluring to me as a selling point. It may have a benefit of being more secure than a simple PIN code but I do not think that I ever want to store something so valuable in my phone that would require me to have as secure a feature as facial recognition.

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    1. I completely agree with this. A lot of people don't even use PIN numbers on their phone (myself included). It seems inconvenient to constantly take a picture of yourself to access your phone. Would you be more apt to using this software if you had something like Google Wallet on your phone?

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  4. I have it on my phone and used it for about a month. Like you said it is very hard and I often had problems with it due to lighting and such. It is very interesting to see what they can do with it from there. I am back to the normal pin code now but like you also said it is less secure. I love the idea of facial recognition for security purposes just not something like a cell phone cause you lock and unlock your phone all the time.

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  5. I will be excited to see what they can evolve this software into. It has a number of applications that it would benefit greatly. Unfortunately, at it's current state, the security features are subpar and quite simple to bypass. I look at this software as more of a gimmick. The idea seems cool but is ultimately ineffective. Whenever they work out the glitches this will be a phenomenal application.

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  6. I use this! My husband hates that I use it, but I love it! It makes me feel a little more secure because others have tried to use their face, and of course it never works. Now, I will go try a picture and see what happens:) Pin codes are ok, but anyone can easily look over your shoulder and guess what you're typing. Plus, you leave behind fingerprints. I was able to guess the pin code to one of my friend's phone just by following her finger and paying attention to where she left her fingerprints. And if you're only using 4 digits...too easy!

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    1. That is funny your husband does not like that you use it, is it because you have to constantly take a picture of yourself, or because he can't hack your phone?

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