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Showing posts with label BeaconTech. Show all posts
Showing posts with label BeaconTech. Show all posts

Watch Mark Zuckerberg show off his artificial intelligence butler: 'Jarvis' can recognize friends, control lights, doors, windows and music - and is voiced by Morgan Freeman



Earlier this year, Mark Zuckerberg revealed he was dedicating his year to making a home AI butler based on Tony Stark's Jarvis in the Iron Man films.
Now, he has revealed it - and not only can it control his home, but can also entertain his daughter Max, and even fire him a trademark grey t-shirt.
In a new video released today it also reveals Zuckerberg managed to persuade Morgan Freeman to voice the AI - while Arnold Schwarzenegger failed for being too scary, which prompted the Facebook founder to tell users 'In case it's not clear, this is meant to be a fun summary and not a live demo.'


The video also reveals that Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla don't always see eye to eye on the AI - and that she was unable to use it at first.



WHAT JARVIS CAN DO 

Talk to Crestron system to control lights, , thermostat and doors
Work with Sonos system with Spotify for music
Control Samsung TV
Access Nest cam in Max's room
Make toast using a 1950s toaster
Fire a fresh t-shirt to Zuckerberg using a t-shirt cannon hooked up to the system 

'My personal challenge for 2016 was to build a simple AI to run my home -- like Jarvis in Iron Man,' said Zuckerberg.
'My goal was to learn about the state of artificial intelligence - where we're further along than people realize and where we're still a long ways off. 
'So far this year, I've built a simple AI that I can talk to on my phone and computer, that can control my home, including lights, temperature, appliances, music and security, that learns my tastes and patterns, that can learn new words and concepts, and that can even entertain Max.'
To create the AI, Zuckerberg was able to use Facebook's internal tools.
'It uses several artificial intelligence techniques, including natural language processing, speech recognition, face recognition, and reinforcement learning, written in Python, PHP and Objective C,' he explained. 
The system is modelled on the J.A.R.V.I.S. stands for (Just A Rather Very Intelligent System) system used by Tony Stark in the Iron Man films.



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WhatsApp sets to add message Editing and Revoking features to its new version



Almost everyone has wished that they could delete a hastily sent text message at some point.
Now, messaging app WhatsApp is reportedly adding the ability to do just that.
However, an update to the Facebook-owned app will only let users recall a message before it has been read by the recipient.


WhatsApp appears to be trialling the new feature in its iPhone beta software, according to an image posted on Twitter by@WABetaInfo.
A screen shot of the the new feature was posted along with the words: 'WhatsApp is starting to work on editing messages (DISABLED BY DEFAULT) #whatsappbeta'.
This suggests that the feature is initially disabled and that users of the beta software currently have to find and activate it for themselves. 
When users hold and press on a message, the new update is said to present them with two options - 'Edit' or 'Revoke'
The first will enable the user to update the content of their message, while the second will enable them to recall it completely.

WhatsApp has not officially confirmed the new feature. 
Facebook-owned WhatsApp is the most popular messaging service in the world and currently has more than one billion users.
Last month, the app officially launched video calling to worldwide users on iOS, Android and the Windows Phone.
In keeping with WhatsApp's data security standards, the new video calling feature is fully encrypted, protecting calls from being listened into. 

This week, EU regulators charged Facebook with providing 'misleading' and 'incorrect' information during its £15.4 billion ($19 billion) takeover of WhatsApp in 2014.
They claim that Facebook 'intentionally or negligently' submitted misleading information which went against EU merger rules.
If the charge goes through, it opens Facebook to a possible fine of one per cent of its turnover, or £100 million ($125 million).

WhatsApp, acquired by Facebook in 2014, said it would share user data with its parent company to better fight spam and improve users' experiences of both services .
The move was a subtle but significant shift for the messaging app, which has long promised to safeguard the privacy of more than one billion users around the world.
In September WhatsApp started 'coordinating' accounts with Facebook by sharing users' mobile phone numbers.
The two share device information, such as the type of operating system and other smartphone characteristics.
Facebook uses the phone number internally to better identify WhatsApp users on Facebook.
This means it can recommend friends or show targeted advertising.
The ads come through a Facebook program called 'Custom Audiences'
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EU Sets a new Security Rules for WhatsApp And Skype


Messaging services such as Microsoft's Skype and Facebook's WhatsApp face stricter rules on how they handle customer data under new security laws due to be proposed by the European Union, according to a draft document seen by Reuters.
The EU executive wants to extend some rules that now only apply to telecom operators to web companies offering calls and messages using the internet, known as "Over-The-Top" (OTT) services, according to the draft.
Web services will have to guarantee the confidentiality of communications and obtain users' consent to process their location data, mirroring similar provisions included in a separate data protection law due to come into force in 2018.
Telecoms firms have long complained that companies such as Alphabet Inc's Google, Microsoft and Facebook are more lightly regulated, despite offering similar services.
The phone companies have called for European Union rules specific to telecoms firms – known as the e-privacy directive - either to be repealed or extended to everyone. "This creates a void of protection of confidentiality for the users of these services," the draft said, referring to OTTs.

"Moreover, it generates an uneven playing field between these providers and electronic communications service providers, as services which are perceived by users as functionally equivalent are not subject to the same rules."

A European Commission spokeswoman declined to comment on the draft but said the aim of the review was to adapt the rules to the data protection regulation which will come into force in 2018 and simplify the provisions for cookies.
Telecom companies, barred by current rules from using customer data to provide additional services and make more money, will be able to use customer data with their consent, according to the proposal.
It would also remove the obligation on websites to ask visitors for permission to place cookies on their browsers via a banner if the user has already consented through the privacy settings of the web browser.
Cookies are placed on web surfers' computers and contain bits of information about the user, such as what other sites they have visited or where they are logging in from. They are widely used by companies to deliver targeted ads to users.
"If browsers are equipped with such functionality, websites that want to set cookies for behavioral advertising purposes may not need to put in place banners requesting their consent insofar as users may provide their consent by selecting the right settings in their browser," the draft said.
Many have questioned the effectiveness of such cookie banners which appear every time a user lands on a website because people tend to accept them without necessarily reading what that entails.
"While such banners serve to empower users, at the same time, they may cause irritation because users are forced to read the notices and click on the boxes, thus impairing internet browsing experience," the draft said.
The proposal is set to be unveiled in January and may still undergo changes.
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12 Amazing Things You Can Do With Your Smartphone Camera aside taking Pictures


Some people only take pictures with their camera phone and they think that's where the use of the camera ends in a mobile phone, not knowing that there are lots of amazing things a camera embedded in a handset device can do. Here's a list of 12 Amazing Things You Can Do With Your Smartphone Camera Apart From taking Pictures.

1. Documents Scanning 

Have you been required to scan and send your document to companies, institutions, and any organization, probably for Job, or scholarship applications etc, through email or to be sent to the cloud. With your phone's camera right there with you and with any document scanning app being installed on your smartphone, that means you can achieve that so easily. Instead of going to a cyber cafe or using a traditional scanner hardware, your phone's camera can do that for you.

The apps that can see you through, having that your phone's camera is intact are as follows: Evernote app and Scanbot app are meant for iOS users, while Google drive is for only Android users, and CamScanner for Android and iOS users.

2. Play Augmented Reality Games

Augmented reality in phones has been around for some times now and tools like AR translation apps are great, but nobody ever seems to show you how to use the technology for fun. That shouldn't stop you using your phone's ability to play augmented reality games though - no matter where you are.

There are plenty of them about, like SpecTrek - the game where you search for virtual ghosts using a map and then shoot them down when you find them. Or there's Zombies, Run! where you have to get from A to B on a map, avoiding those pesky flesh eaters en route.

Warning: be very careful about running around and shooting at things in a city filled with real people, as you might get some funny looks, especially if you're old enough to know better.

Another augmented reality game is Droid Shooting. Turn any real-life boring background into a real life shooting fest as you deal with waves upon waves of droids that will come and attack you. Droid Shooting utilizes your phone’s camera and makes it a viewfinder or HUD (Heads-up-display) for the battlefield. You will also find a radar at your disposal, so you’ll always know where those vicious droids plan to attack.
The game entertaining you as if the whole thing is real. Enjoy the game as your phone's camera delivers the service.

3. Barcode Scanner

Your phone's camera can be used to scan barcodes in order to get the information written on it, Since anything programmed into it, is always not visible for the naked eyes to see, but can only be known through the use of any barcode scanner app controlled by the camera. If you are using WhatsApp web on your PC, you must have come across the point where you will be asked to scan your barcode, in order for you to access and use your Whatsapp chat on PC

You can also find a barcorde scanner in UC browsers. So, whenever you have any multiple lines of marks just in the form of several straight lines together, just use your barcode scanner app or UC Browser to scan the lines. Note, once you are scanning the camera will be active at work.

4. Language Translator

Some may be thinking how can this be possible with phone's camera anyways with your phone's camera, you can be able to translate the language in the form of text and symbol that seems to appear strange to you. And you can achieve that with your phone's camera and with the help of Google translator app for is meant for all Android and iOS devices. The translation works this way;
Once you have the Google translator installed on your device, probably Android smartphones or iOS devices. And you come across any language in the form of text or symbol which was written in anywhere, maybe on the wall, sign board, paper or book. Just launch the Google app translator and click the camera icon in the app. Now, your camera should start scanning while you place it where you want it to scan and translate probably the text. Then, the Google app while translating the text uses optical character recognition (OCR) to automatically interpret what you want to translate. That's it, although it is not perfect but trust me, it will surprise you. This can be very easier than the Google translator that requires you to type in your text before it can interpret it.

5. Look to the Stars

While few of us can ever boast to be blessed with the same sort of abilities as Brian Cox or Sir Patrick Moore, we can still delight in all that the stars have to offer from the comfort of our own homes (or gardens, anyway) thanks to apps like Star Chart and Google SkyMap.

Using AR, they allow you to point your phone skywards at night and get a fascinating overview of all those little lights. SkyMap gives you the names of stars and tells you where to point your phone to see certain planets. You'll feel like a Greek god in no time.

6. Use as Visual Search

With your mobile phone camera, you can be able to search Google with pictures or images, instead of going by typing text. This can be educational and fun catching. There are several search apps that can allow you to snap a picture using your phone's camera and after that, they enable the picture to be used in searching on Google search instead of text. For example, you might snap a device probably, a handset or laptop and search it on Google. The result of the search engine would be on the available details/information of the snapped product. Also, you snap a photo of a tourist attraction, and search it, the result will be out displaying the center for the tourist, location, and much more related information. App that does this is Google Goggles app.

7. Solving Mathematics Problems

If you are the type of student that find it difficult to understand or solve math problems, you can make use of your phone camera to perform the wonders with the help of an app called "Photomath".
The app is good for students to use when solving any related math problem. You can as well go for it.

8. Serve as Mirror

This is common, use of phone camera especially among the female folks. You see them constantly checking their face and makeups using their phone camera. Isn't it?

9. Serve as a Security Component

Do you have an old camera phone that you are not using anymore? Do you have more than one camera devices? The truth is, you can use your phone camera for surveillance and security purposes just like CCTV


10. Check Electronic Remote Control

Another important use of your phone Camera is to check if a remote control is functioning. To do this, just let the remote control of your TV, DVD or decoder etc, face your camera, then press any button on the remote controller and you will see a dull red light blinking as you press the keys. This is made possible because the camera lens detects infrared beams which remote controllers makes use of. So before concluding that your remote battery is dead or the remote is faulty, use your camera to run a simple test.

11. Educational Purpose

Are you the type that is lazy in writing not in the lecture hall, you can as well use your camera to snap all your friends note. Have you done this before? Many people into this already. Students always go for things that makes life simpler and easier for them.

12. Detecting Hidden Camera

Hope you know that there are hidden CCTV spy cameras in some hotel rooms? You can simply use your phone camera to figure out the particular spot and where the camera is mounted especially in dark rooms. Just take a shot in a dark room, if the picture shows signs of rays of light, then there's a camera in the room. This is not just applicable to hotel rooms only, but any other dark place with surveillance camera.

By now you should know how to use your phone's camera aside taking selfies.
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