When Google released Goggles, an app that allows users to snap a photo and search the Web for more information about the image, company execs wanted nothing to do with facial recognition. Now a company called FacialNetwork has developed a real-time facial recognition app for Google Glass, though the engine has no plans to support the technology.
FacialNetwork uploaded a video about NameTag on YouTube to demonstrate how it works. In limited beta, the Google Glass wearer snaps a photo and the app runs the photo against 2.5 million stored in a proprietary database. The facial match is returned along with their NameTag profile. The app can also detect the real-life image behind glasses and a hat.
Part of the company's Web site alludes to a dating service in the future, where people can upload a photo and search for similar individuals. "Jane has lots of different social media profiles and loves to meet new people. By using NameTag, she can link all her social networks to her face and share her information and meet new people in an instant," according to the site. The profile includes relationship status, along with occupation and interests.
The company Web site also suggests companies can promote their business or skills, and people can write bios and upload them to connect to the photo. It shows the relationship between the content and the image.
Despite privacy concerns, the NameTag site also explains how people will have the ability to login into the company database to choose whether they want their name and information displayed to others. "It's not about invading anyone's privacy; it's about connecting people that want to be connected," states NameTag co-creator Kevin Alan Tussy. "We will even allow users to have one profile that is seen during business hours and another that is only seen in social situations."
While one might initially think that dating would be the killer app for facial recognition, I'm certainly in the camp of people who would pay a very high fee (compared to dating site fees) to have a wearable app that connected to the LinkedIn image database. At networking events i can't always recall the names of people I've met plus there are often cases where I'd love to chat with a second connection of mine once I know who they are. Similarly I'd have not problem if people could identify me. Not every event has nametags and even when they do a richer profile could be very valuable.