News caught my eye on 10 Jan 2012

1) Good news for Android users – Siri for other phones

Though there are lots of products in Android market which imitates SIRI, none of them are good enough to call as competitors. Nuance communications is launching android version of software called ‘Dragon Go’ which is voice-powered Symantec search. They have developed speech recognition and natural language technology that powers many voice-assistant software (including Siri). One drawback of the software is that it can’t integrate with device’s on-board apps and features (check my battery, health etc). Other search will be smooth since they have 200 strong content providers – Dictionary, Spotify/Pandora to play songs, Ask for current events


Also they have announced another product called Dragon TV which is voice interface platform for televisions and set-top boxes. 

2) I-phone App for Drunken drivers

This app will tell whether one is too drunk to drive by looking into the eyes. App is called Breathaleyes and detects rapid eye movement caused by drinking using iPhone camera and tells how much drunk one are. The maker also claims that test is accurate to 0.02% of breathalyzer test: HGN test (The technical term for rapid eye movement after drinking is ‘Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus’).

3) What’s next to touch technology?? It’s Gaze

A Swedish company has come up with an eye control computer technology that allows users to operate Windows 8 by looking in direction they want to click. It’s called ‘Tobii Gaze’ and sits below laptop screen to track eye movement using a sensor. Lets see if its gonna create revolution or people become blind faster by over-strain

4) Cure skin cancer using Radio-active paint

A new technique involving radioactive “paint” could help clear skin cancer without surgery or conventional radiotherapy. The scientists claim that there are minimal side effects and cures even without scar. This was tried out in Italy with 700 patients and success rate was 95%. The research team used radio active isotope called rhenium-188, which was previously rare and expensive and now it’s affordable for patients. 

Comments