DSTRUX Is Snapchat For Everything

Consumers are slowly changing their stance on personal privacy and control over their data. This is most evidenced by apps like Snapchat, that offer at least the illusion of privacy by telling users that their messages will be destroyed upon receipt. The latest iteration of privacy-oriented startups comes by way of DSTRUX, a New York based startup that offers a cloud-based piece of software that lets you send a document and then destroy it remotely. So for instance, if you want to send a friend a rough draft of a word document, you can send it over and after they give you feedback, you can destroy their copy. At the same time, DSTRUX makes it impossible to take screenshots of the images, and the company is working to leverage computer cameras to see if recipients are taking pictures with their mobile phones. The success of the startup thus far speaks to an increased level of scrutiny on the part of consumers; as we continue to learn more about how data is exploitable on the Internet, people are becoming more and more careful about how they let others access their files. 

Blackphone Is The Android Phone Privacy Advocates Long For

It seems almost every day we learn more about how our privacy is being infringed upon, and now a smartphone company is trying to do something about it. The Blackphone, an international partnership with Silent Circle and Geeksphone, will run a “security-oriented” version of Android that has been termed PrivatOS, which will let users make and receive secure phone calls, texts, video chats, file transfers, and anonymous internet activities via VPNs. The companies who created the device have extensive development experience, having worked with Firefox OS dev devices and encryption standards in the past. More details will be announced at the Mobile World Congress, but for now, it appears that privacy advocates finally have a new tech device to cheer for – and maybe even trust. 

CES 2014: Simplicam Uses Facial Recognition To Watch The Home

One of the biggest trends at CES this year has been the connected home, and over the early portion of this week there have been no shortage of app-based device-control solution for all the appliances around the house, as well as chore-setting hardware, in addition to various forms of home security systems. To that end, there have been a plethora of WiFi cameras introduced, but ArcSoft’s Simplicam aims to simplify the process of even pulling up an app, by using facial recognition technology to notify you of when your family – or anybody else – has arrived in the house. There’s a built-in, two-way talk and automated alarm system, as well as PC access. The cloud service allows you to save, and share, if you want, your clips from the camera. It starts at $150, and heralds the age of total home security control. 

Nymi Wristband Uses Heartbeat As Password

According to Bionym CEO Karl Martin, the Nymi, sub-$100 wristband will be used to unlock cars, sign into computers, and issue payments. In accordance with many smart locks that are presently in existence, the Nymi builds off of that technology by listening in to the user’s unique heart electrical activity for authentication. Paired with a car lock or laptop login screen, it can automatically log in the wearer. It could also feasibly be used for personalized payment information that is communicated wirelessly through connected devices. According to Martin, the company has put in safety measures to ensure that people can’t get unwanted information. Though this is still a bit of ways away from reality, but speaks volumes about the future of bio-engineering and its intersection with the technology sphere.

Netverify Wants to Check Your ID

Mobile payments company Jumio has brought their desktop app, Netverify, to mobile today, giving app developers the tools needed to verify user identities by simply photographing a driver’s license or passport.  Pricing is a bit steep at $2 per scan, but that could be money well spent for certain marketplaces to quickly verify users to deliver sensitive or personalized content, or to auto-fill form fields for the purpose of making transactions.  In any case, the benefits for companies and consumers alike are great – reducing online fraud, and speeding the process of making transactions from mobile devices.

Defense Department Invests In Smart Mobile Identity Product

The Defense Department is investing $3 million in research with AOptix to build a “Smart Mobile Identity” biometrics identification product.  The initial goal is to create a hardware add-on for smartphones that along with a software suite allows phones to scan and transmits data from your eyes, face, thumbs and voice.  There’s a long history of technologies that slowly migrated from military use to marketing use, and this one seems ripe with potential in the long term.  

Apple Patents New Image Recognition Device Lock

Apple has filed a new patent application to cover a proposed method of unlocking digital devices using image identification.  The process would work by displaying an image or images from a user’s library and using either text or voice input, having the user identify the subject of the image exactly based on previous input.  This could be adapted into a highly secure method of device locking with the use of multiple images and highly specific identifier keywords, and could be a draw for security conscious users.