Microsoft Interns create creepily Android Spy App

[alexalex]

A new, creepily awesome Android application developed by two Microsoft interns turns Android smartphone cameras into full-on spy machines. The app, called TagSense, relies on smartphone sensors to automatically tag photographs with the identities and activities of whoever's in them. No human input is required.

TagSense, a prototype app designed by two Microsoft interns, can automatically tag a picture with a person's name, physical activities, facial expression, and exact physical location--all without human input.

Although it also makes use of facial recognition technology, TagSense mainly relies on the myriad peripherals integrated into the average smartphone. Android phones' built-in accelerometers are used to determine the exact physical activity a picture subject is involved in, while light sensors in the camera are used to determine weather conditions outside in conjunction with location data obtained via GPS. The phones' microphones can then determine whether the picture subject is talking, laughing, crying, or silent. All this information is then tagged onto the photos.

But the kicker for TagSense is that it is designed to tap into information stored on other, nearby smartphones. The application will be able to interact with data stored on adjacent phones that are also using the app, enabling collaborative tagging and verification of photo subjects' identities. The application's creators claim that there will be a strict opt-in requirement for use of that particular feature....

http://www.fastcompany.com/1765613/microsoft-interns-create-ultimate-photo-tagging-app?partner=gnews