Software : Motorola acquires Viewdle for RAZR-sharp face recognition technology

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Motorola acquires Viewdle for RAZR-sharp face recognition technology Posted: Google-owned Motorola Mobility has announced its acquisition of Ukranian face detection software company Viewdle, in a deal reportedly worth $US35-$US40 million. Face detection looks set to be the next big battleground for mobile software. Following Apple's acquisition of Polar Rose back in 2010, and Facebook gobbling up Face.com, it makes sense that Google get in on the act. Viewdle specialises in face detection software with an augmented reality flavour. Launched in 2007, the company was backed by large, high profile investors prior to the acquisition, including Qualcomm Ventures, Anthem Venture Partners, Best Buy Capital, and the Blackberry Partners Fund. RAZR sharp Viewdle While initial speculation revolved around Google integrating Viewdle's technology into its social networking site Google+ and its augmented reality Project Glass, the fact it was Google-owned Motorola Mobility that did the buying indicates a much more obvious integration into Motorola handsets. Having face detection and social network tagging built directly into a phone's camera app would be a huge advantage for a handset manufacturer. While the potential to roll the technology across other Google products remains, it's unlikely we'll see that arrive in the short term. Via: Slashgear

Google Maps bringing Street View to web app, says WSJ Posted: Google will add its popular Street View feature to the Google Maps web app, accessible on iOS devices, according to the Wall Street Journal. The newspaper said the feature will be rolled out on Thursday, and tech correspondent Walt Mossberg has already tested the new version of the browser-based service. Since Apple replaced Google Maps with its own heavily-criticised and seemingly unfinished Maps app, Google is reported to be working on launching a standalone offering for the App Store. In the meantime, iPad and iPhone users are flocking to the web version of the app, and Google seems keen to capitalise on the goodwill folks are now feeling towards its ousted mapping service. 360-degree photographic views The prospective addition of Street View, will allow users to move along roads, explore areas at the street level and even venture inside some buildings. Wossberg wrote: "Google plans to announce on Thursday that it is adding its popular Street View feature, missing from Apple's maps, to the Web version of Google Maps accessed from the iPhone and iPad. "I tested this addition, which displays 360-degree photographic street views of selected locations, and interior photographic views of certain businesses, using sample links Google sent me. These links worked well, allowing me to see the locations and pan around with a finger." Wossberg, in his video test of Apple Maps vs Google Maps (on Android) unsurprisingly found that the latter is superior, at this present time, but he did point out that Apple's navigation experience was "more striking and easier to read at a glance." We'll let you know when Street View lands on the Google Maps web app.

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