Ramblings of an old Doc
Published on April 24, 2011 By DrJBHL In Personal Computing

 

For almost a year it’s been strongly suspected and reported that Microsoft is building facial recognition technology into Windows 8 (unless you have an evil identical twin).

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 of W8 M1.

NetworkWorld 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."

Password memory may also obviate the need for remembering passwords across multiple websites which would make work a lot easier.

"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."

It had better be one extremely secure browser (ie10) and OS, or major security and identity problems will ensue.

“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."

Kinect and Xbox Live already offer facial recognition, it should be noted, and built in cameras are standard in most computers. How difficult would it be to put facial detection into Win8? I wonder. Lenovo has offered facial recognition.

Warning: Windows8Italia offers an app “to unlock the secrets of Windows8”:

“As you read, a few days after the first leak in build 7850 of Windows 8, were already unlocked many hidden features of the new operating system.  To enable them you need to make changes to the registry, its operations are not for everyone.  So we of Windows 8 Italy , in collaboration with @ FrayxRulex, we decided to develop a practical tool, strictly in Metro-Design , and start to unlock all the secret functions of Windows 8 M1.”

I don’t recommend this, although the comments on the article seem positive. I don’t know what this app does to the registry. If you feel very “adventurous” make a system restore point and a registry backup before playing with it.

 

 

Sources:

1. http://tinyurl.com/3odwdun

2. http://www.networkworld.com/community/blog/8-amazing-things-youll-do-windows-8


Comments (Page 1)
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on Apr 24, 2011

Please.

I've been using the same password for nearly everything for over a decade, and never a problem has arisen. 

on Apr 24, 2011

Scary. Has anybody asked themselves "Do we really need to spend so much time and money on all these sensors to make our computers slightly more convenient?"It wouldn't be worth the money to me... but the opportunities for abuse are huge.

on Apr 24, 2011

Think of the possibilities for rejection (Woody Allen comes to mind) and logon problems (if one gets injured and need plastic surgery or grows a beard):

 

 

on Apr 24, 2011

on Apr 24, 2011

If it detects a human presence I doubt it would work for me.

on Apr 24, 2011

Forgot to shave this morning? No work for you today.

on Apr 24, 2011

"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."

The real-world translation, based on my experience practicing medicine:

Once this technology matures, you'll be required to obtain a Federal Face-Verification Code from the Bureau of Facial Recognition, Division of Passport Control, US Department of State, in order to use a computer once you've registered with, and been granted a license to purchase one by, the Personal Computing Division, Computer Security Administration, Department of Homeland Security.

Your DHS Application for Authorization to Acquire and Use a Personal Computing Device will require a complete list of all intended uses, end-user applications (programs) applied for, cloud storage provider to be used, a fingerprint card verified by your state Department of Public Safety (properly notarized), permission to conduct an FBI background check and access your cloud computing account, and a CRS (Certified Retinal Scan) obtained from your local Passport Office.  Once you've satisfied those requirements and paid all applicable fees, you'll be issued a Personal Homeland Security Random Code Generator for your 3-level secure login, and you'll then be permitted to present your license to a designated Homeland Security Certified Retailer to purchase a computer (with Windows 8!).

Once it's been delivered to your home by a Federally-Certified Personal Computing Device Delivery Service and set up by a Federally-Certified Home Computer Installation Specialist, you'll be required to activate your OS by calling a dedicated line at the Personal Computer Activation Service, Microsoft Division, Federal Bureau of Investigation, US Department of Justice, and following the prompts, enter your 25-digit alphanumeric OSIN (Operating System Identification Number), 10-digit Device MAC (Media Access Control Number) and 16-digit Federal Face-Verification Code.  If you've made no mistakes, you'll be prompted to get in front of the computer so it can see you and to login to a secure Homeland Security website using an 8-digit access code provided by the AVR (Automated Voice Response) system.  A Federal Active-X Control will scan your system & if your face is recognized (the retinal scan is only needed for activities requiring a Security Clearance of Secret or higher) and everything matches with Homeland Security's SDACU (Secure Database of Authorized Computers and Users), it will activate your OS & you're just good to go.

Of course, the above assumes you've already registered your voice with the Voice Recognition Verification Division, U.S. Bureau Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security, and paid the applicable registration fee.  Otherwise the Computer Activation Service won't recognize your voice and will just hang up on you.

If you plan to use certain software applications with potential security implications (these will be identified in the course of your Application for Authorization to Acquire and Use a Personal Computing Device), you'll need to obtain a Registration Number from the Division of Potentially Dangerous Software, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, U.S. Department of the Treasury, in order to use them.  Registration must be renewed every two years; initial and renewal fees apply.

Oh, and if your computer is a notebook or other mobile device, and you plan to travel with it, you'll also need to apply to the Personal Mobile Computing Division, Transportation Security Administration, Department of Homeland Security, and pay for a Computing Device Mobility Authorization Card verifying that the notebook is certified safe for transport via commercial carrier, to avoid needless delays at airports and other TSA screening facilities, and to free up TSA screeners for more bra-checks & crotch-fondling.

Windows 8 is gonna be awesome!

on Apr 24, 2011

So in Windows 9 I take it there's going to be snarky comments about grooming coming from the computer.

on Apr 24, 2011

Probably not. It will just automatically contact a Microsoft-approved plastic surgeon to come to your house that night while you are asleep.

on Apr 24, 2011

Or works like an alcohol lock on a car. 

 

Win 8 looks at you goes eeeeeek and shuts down.

on Apr 24, 2011

Remember, if you have a camera in the computer and get infected, some hacker in another country could use it to watch you.  If M$ thinks I'm going to put one on my home desktop so my PC will know I am me when I'm the only person that ever uses it, they can think again.

 

"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."

The sane-user equivalent is:  Amish walks in to his home office, powers up the PC and  {opens the blinds | brushes his teeth | cleans the cat's litter box | fires up the coffee machine}.  By the time he sits down, his PC is powered up and waiting for him to log in.  Works with XP too.

Other issues with the M$ scenario above include the machine powering up then a cat wanders by, and powering off then the human goes to take a break.  Or remaining powered on for longer than needed if the human sets a long timeout to avoid the "break" problem above and then leaves without turning it off manually.  I can turn my PC off all by myself, thank you very much.

So M$ will code this silliness, charge more for Win-8 because of all its extra features, and wonder why so many of us stick with XP, Win-7, etc.

on Apr 24, 2011

You suggesting I'm not sane, LC? 

on Apr 24, 2011

I like Daiwa's "Parable of the lost Shangri-Lala". He thinks as cynically as I. Thanks for that comment Daiwa - it was great!

on Apr 24, 2011

Aw great, now my computer's going to point out that I have a large nose every time it boots. 

 

Still, at this rate my computer will turn into GLaDOS by the time Windows 12 rolls out.... wait. I just counted them, Windows 7 is the ninth at least.

on Apr 24, 2011

Windows 7 has only been out for 2 or 3 years and they're making another OS? geez... what did they find wrong this time or what did they bork up now in windows 7

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