What it does
Passwords can be broken or forgotten and they tend to multiply like rabbits when you spend a lot of time surfing every day. You have a specific password for your online banking, another for Facebook, and one for each of your email accounts, and to make things worse, you are often unable to use the same password for each of these sites. So what if you could eliminate the need for all of these passwords by using the one unique thing you have—your face. This is where Xidtech’s FaceLogOn steps in by offering facial recognition software that anyone can use to protect access to their personal computer. While it is not currently available for outside applications like your webmail account, one doesn’t have to look too far to realize that facial recognition software could become the ultimate password solution. Currently, Face LogOn utilizes your web-cam to verify whether you are indeed allowed to use the computer or not.
In their own words
“Using a simple web-camera, Face LogOn ensures the identity of the user by providing biometric verification in an automatic continuous process, based on award winning XID Face Recognition Artificial Intelligence technology.”
Why it might be a killer
It would not be at all surprising to see Face LogOn take off in a big way and expand to offer a wider range of password solutions. Facial recognition is a perfect way of protecting your PC and Face LogOn’s free 1-month trial and $19 price tag after that make this an interesting solution that could take off.
Some questions
Already eluded to above, but worth repeating, is whether they will be developing a functionality that will allow users to use the Face LogOn solution for all of their online-password needs? Also, how accurate is the facial recognition software and will it support multiple users?
Updates
»
original news
May 11th, 2008 | Posted in Startups | No Comments
What it does
Communipare is a new engine for displaying comparison tables, launched earlier this month. With Communipare, users can create a comparison table that contains a high level of information but with a relatively small footprint. You can then embed these tables on any webpage. Users can also take advantage of Communipare to build “community-powered” comparison tables, in which the information contained in the table is drawn from the community. Anyone who views a community-powered table can add their own information, if the creator has set permissions to allow it. When you create a table using Communipare, it is easy to customize the appearance, font, etc., and if you see someone else’s Communipare table and like it, you can easily copy it to use as a template.
In their own words
"Communipare is an engine for displaying comparison tables. It enables users to compare scads and scads of candidates and characteristics - all on a relatively tiny footprint… Until now, the only way to display comparison tables has been through inflated HTML table tags and uncontrollable scroll bars. Communipare is a powerful widget builder that can "squeeze" comparison tables of any size (e.g.100 x 100) into a 400-pixel-wide blog article or a 200-pixel-wide sidebar."
Why it might be a killer
Communipare does a nice job of compressing a lot of information into an attractive chart that can be easily embedded on your blog, MySpace page, or any other webpage. Because you can create a comparison chart on absolutely any topic you want and include any comparative information you want, there is virtually no limit on the possible uses of a Communipare chart.
Some questions
How does this site plan to make a profit? Will they embed adds in the charts or anything along those lines in the future? Are there many practical uses for a Communipare chart? Can you embed a Communipare chart on webpages like a Facebook profile?
Updates
»
original news
May 11th, 2008 | Posted in Startups | No Comments
What it does
BabelYou is a new international social network. Given its target and its namesake, it’s a given that the site functions in a variety of languages. When you first enter, you’ll have the choice to choose your country and preferred language. There’s a focus on trading and exchanging languages—you can find someone on the network to brush up on your French or German through the Language Portal, a virtual classroom. Find a language buddy by browsing member profiles to see who speaks what. The site also comes with a classifieds section, so users can find summer jobs or internships in other countries they’re learning about. Other features include events, private messaging, and chat. BabelYou is free to join and registration is required.
In their own words
“Babelyou ist an online network functioning, in many languages, which enables people to make coommunicate worldwide.
At Babelyou you can log in for free and set up your own profile so that you will be able to connect with your international friends.
Contact among members of our community is free-of-charge.
At Babelyou you can search for a language-buddy and learn a new language with him/her in a virtual private classroom that is offered to you through the Babelyou language portal.
Futhermore, you can learn about other countries with the help of other members, you can find useful tips for your next visit abroad or you can search for a summer job.”
Why it might be a killer
BabelYou is more than just another social network. It’s an international community with a focus on language and knowledge exchange. It makes for a great way to practice your foreign language skills and expand your view of the world.
Some questions
Does the site offer language learning tools—dictionaries, grammars etc? What about media sharing? How will it attract new users?
Updates
»
original news
May 11th, 2008 | Posted in Startups | No Comments
What it does
iRead is an application and online community for book lovers. Once registered, you list, rate, and write reviews about books you are reading or what you have read in the past. Based on your reviews and preferences, you can find other readers with similar tastes, and check out their reading lists and recommendations to find more books you might enjoy. You can also browse randomly through other users’ reading lists and reviews. The iRead application for Facebook has already become very popular, with over one million registered users. The eight-month old site claims to have over 20 million books added to date. You can also add the iRead to your MySpace, Vebo, and soon, Orkut pages.
In their own words
"iRead is a community for book lovers. Whether you love classics or popular fiction; whether you love Dickens or Dan Brown; iRead is a place where you can find others who share your reading tastes and through them discover new books that you will love."
Why it might be a killer
This site and its Facebook application have grown very quickly in just eight months since launching. If they could tie in a way to purchase recommended books directly from their site, it could prove very profitable.
Some questions
Will we see this site incorporate a way for users to purchase the books recommended to them? Will iRead continue to grow at such a fast pace as it has so far?
Updates
»
original news
May 11th, 2008 | Posted in Startups | No Comments
What it does
NoMoreNotebooks is a social shopping site which allows users to compile wishlists. Created by a Leeds University student, the site aims to make listing simpler. Users can create any number of lists and they can add an unlimited number of items/products to their list from any webpage. Members can add products via the NoMoreNotebooks bookmarklet. They can also search through the products on site using the search bar. Lists can be dated for important events such as anniversaries and birthdays. Each item comes with a short description and picture. Lists can be sorted by price and alphabetically. Other features include member profiles, featured lists and recommendations. Sign up is free.
In their own words
“No More Notebooks is a social shopping experience that allows members all over the world to create an unlimited number of lists containing an unlimited number of items from any webpage. People use No More Notebooks to keep track of items they wish to buy, create lists for specific events and generally interact with one another.”
Why it might be a killer
NoMoreNotebooks has a clean, simple interface. It’s easy to use and it reduces the need for making lists on multiple websites. This in turn makes it easier to keep track of lists and to share them with friends and family.
Some questions
How is this funded? What other features will be added? How will it compare to the competition?
Updates
»
original news
May 11th, 2008 | Posted in Startups | No Comments
What it does
European Startup companies, especially those from the non-Anglophone regions of the continent, have been under-represented and overshadowed by their English counterparts in the media. Europeanstartups.com hopes to alter the balance of power. The site is a forum for the employees of all startups based in Europe, and fosters a dialogue and publicizes the companies through blog entries by CEOs, discussion boards and debates, and a featured a “startup of the month.” Every company has a profile page that lists information, including location, tagline, employees and company objectives. The site encourages CEOs to submit information in a variety of languages to reflect the cultural and linguistic diversity of the companies.
In their own words
“EuropeanStartups, founded on September 25th, 2007, is a weblog dedicated to spread a word about European Web 2.0 and 3.0 startups.”
Why it might be a killer
European Startups is a great resource for those looking to learn about and discover companies outside of the English-language sphere.
Some questions
How can the information be presented in a more coherent manner? While everything that is included on the site is great (discussion boards, jobs, etc) the presentation is not eye-catching and a little overwhelming.
Updates
»
original news
May 11th, 2008 | Posted in Startups | No Comments
What it does
Geewa.com is a multiplayer online games site that can be accessed from any internet-connectable device. With a good selection of games and an already impressive number of users, Geewa.com is a great option for playing online games with and against other users. Think of it as more of a community where you can meet new people by playing games with them. Some of the popular titles available at Geewa.com include: World Soccer, Climbers, Pool, Sudoku and even Strip Poker. Simply sign up, pick a game that you’d like to play and then either join an already existing game or start a new one. At this current moment, there are more than 9,000 players online, making it almost a guarantee that you will be able to find someone to play with you.
In their own words
“Geewa.com is a community portal offering casual multiplayer games which are meant for everyone who likes to play for fun and meet new people and old friends. Geewa games are played by women and men alike and by young as well as more senior players (30% of our players are over 30). The Geewa platform has attracted many fans since its start in 2005 and currently 100,000 players visit it every day who play 700,000 duels. Our original game Word Soccer (in its Czech version) has become the most played game of the Czech Internet."
Why it might be a killer
A couple of things help Geewa stand out from the rest. Firstly, there is a good number of games that will be especially appealing to the casual gamer. Secondly, you can play with any device that can hook up to the internet making this a great mobile games solution. Lastly, they have already reached the critical mass necessary that enables users to quickly find others to play against.
Some questions
Have they thought about opening up game development for this site to encourage the creation of new games for the Geewa platform? There is no advertising on the page, how are they monetizing this service?
Updates
»
original news
May 11th, 2008 | Posted in Startups | No Comments
Slim is in, and so is small. If not, how else can one explain the phenomenal sales of the Asus Eee PC despite lacking the necessary firepower to run all sorts of common desktop applications? Granted, the Windows XP-powered Eee PC 900 will be beefier and can handle more common tasks with ease, but I digress. MSI has not forgotten about the ultra small desktop market, introducing a spanking new energy saving compacy mini-ITX full system known as the Titan 700. It almost works flawlessly out of the factory, but you do need to purchase an operating system before it is able to run. Also, I would advise you having some sort of monitor ready beforehand (CRT or LCD, it is your call but seriously speaking, who still uses the former unless there is really no choice?) if you want to get up and running the moment the MSI Titan 700 arrives at your doorstep.
The Titan 700 sports some pretty interesting components within, with a VIA CN700 processor running the proceedings on a 8237R+ chipset. In addition, you will also be furnished with a slim DVD burner and a 2.5″ SATA hard disk drive that remains cool and quiet in comparison with a regular drive. It measures a mere 3.1 liter in size, which is really, really tiny, allowing you to place it just about anywhere on your desk (or under it, for that matte) or in your office/home as you like. After all, being black in color makes it easier to blend in with its surroundings.
MSI will be selling its Titan 700 for £235 a pop, which is an extremely decent price if you aren’t into hardcore gaming or heavy processing. After all, if your computer usage is restricted to merely emails, watching YouTube videos, and catching up on news on your favorite websites, then you can’t really go wrong with the MSI Titan 700.
Source: BIOS
Pressy idea:
Educational Toys
May 11th, 2008 | Posted in Coolest Gadgets, Startups | No Comments
It seems like companies are always looking for new and innovative ways to advertise. Sure, in the old days they could get away with the usual ads in magazines and on TV and radio. However, these days you’ll see advertisements in movies, video games, on your coffee cups and just about anywhere you can imagine. One area that is largely untapped is the sky. However this device aims to change that.
We’ve all seen the Goodyear blimp hovering over sporting events, but thats really all we see in the way of sky-high advertisements. This machine churns out a logo made of specially formulated soap bubbles. These floating logos (called Flogos) range from 24 to 48 inches in size, and will hold their shape for a great distance. Depending on weather conditions they can travel 20-30 miles and reach altitudes of 20,000 feet. Environmentalists need not worry, these bubbles are 100% safe.
Source: OhGizmo
Pressy idea:
Educational Toys
May 11th, 2008 | Posted in Coolest Gadgets, Startups | No Comments
What it does
You spend more and more time of your day online and you are probably a member of more than one social networking site. If you’d like to represent yourself better online without showing the whole world a picture of yourself, then an avatar is the ideal solution. Minigao allows you to create your own customizable avatar that can look just like you, or more like the person you always dreamed of being. You can try out the avatar creator without registration and creating an avatar is simple with a surprising array of cool tools and functions available. There is currently a competition being run at Minigao, where you can vote for the best avatar under a number of categories. Finally, webmasters can add Minigao to their site and thereby allow their users to create their own avatars directly from within their own environment.
In their own words
“Create your avatars for free. Use them wherever you want, as you want.”
Why it might be a killer
This is a really fun and well designed tool that people will really enjoy using. Using an avatar instead of a picture of yourself in your profile is certainly a safer and more private way of living your online life.
Some questions
While they claim to be multilingual, the actual avatar engine appears to be currently available only in French. It is still relatively easy to create an avatar without speaking French but in order for this to really catch on in the English-speaking world, they will need to invest in a bit of translation.
Updates
»
original news
May 11th, 2008 | Posted in Startups | No Comments
