10 Ways to Build an Amazing App

The invention of biometrics has created large changes for the digital world, with technological advancements in AI-based face recognition applications. Years ago, this type of technology or even the concept of mobile face recognition seemed to be too far-fetched of an idea. But, here we are in 2020 with facial recognition apps that diagnose patients, control false arrests, and decrease the amount of cybercrimes. Along with this, the technology has helped with successful innovative apps like Face app. 

If you’re a business looking into creating face recognition apps, you need to know who your competitors are. This blog will go into detail of the market and insights - your complete guide to facial recognition. 

Trends in AI 

Artificial intelligence advancements have been BIG, to say the least…

In terms of biometrics, it started off with being able to unlock your smartphone, now criminals are able to be identified with ease and efficiency. Biometric data is unique to each person and as such, used to identify you and I and whoever else is using it. In comparison to fingerprint and iris recognitions, facial recognition has an advantage with non-contact, high concurrency, and user-friendly abilities. 

Education, security, and assorted businesses are adapting more and more biometrics technology into their industries. 

Popular social media platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, and Prisma have advanced such technology immensely. With celebrities like Justin Bieber, Kylie Jenner and more promoting AI tech with Face app, the application gained a lot of popularity throughout the world. 

But, what are the different facial recognition apps available and which is better than the other? 

Top 10 Face Recognition Applications 

1.Luxand (Android & iOS)

Luxand is not merely one application, it’s an entire company which offers multiple services and apps; consisting of biometrics identification and face SDK for surveillance. Some of their famous customers include: Samsung, Ford, and Universal Pictures, along with the United States Department of Defense Cyber Crime Center. 

Key Features:

• Software that detects 70 facial features 

• App memorizes faces for future reference

• Face SDK for privacy concerns for multiple facial detection APIs

• Ability to recognize faces in live streams to authenticate the individual 

APIs:

• Facial recognition: Tap a detected face and put a name to it. The face app memorizes the person and will recognize it in the future. 

• Avatar: Ability to alter user face into 3D animated avatar. 

• E-Cards: Create 3D e-Cards and animated faces. 

• Baby Prediction: Are you expecting? Predict your baby’s facial features by creating a photo of your future child. 

• Face Aging: Are you curious about how you’ll look 20 years from now? 30? 40? Age your face through this facial recognition software. 

• Zombie: Do you want to see yourself as a zombie? Use this app! 

• Face Enhancement: Improve your skin tone and enhance yourself by removing anything you don’t like. 

Pros:

• Great face APKs 

• Ability to detect any facial features from stored memory

• Users can experiment with various avatars and facial characteristics 

2. FaceApp (Android & iOS)

This is a facial detection application that’s famous for its celebrity face recognitions. Make yourself look older, prettier, or look like Jlo! 

Key Features:

• Engaging users with Hollywood filter selfie

• Recognizes celebrities with facial identification, allowing users to share photos (like other media apps) 

• AI-based styling features

• Ability to replace background and apply colour filters 

  • Filters include: smile, hairstyle, gender-swap, age, and skin tone lightning 

Pros:

• Advanced features and filters for enhanced user experience

• Professional quality photos and user-friendly app 

Cons:

• Photos cannot be saved in HD 

• Not many varying shades for filters

• Expensive 

3. AppLock (Android) 

Amongst one of the greatest face recognition applications, the software ensures complete security by only allowing the user to access their personal information. Not only does it have the ability for mobile face recognition, but also voice recognition! 

Key Features:

• Combination of voice and facial recognitions 

• Ability to create back-up authentication 

• Works without the Internet 

Pros:

• Advanced biometric authentication technology

• Facial recognition is interactive 

• Enrollment is user-friendly 

Cons:

• Face recognition app has certain privacy issues 

4. Face DNA Test (Android) 

One of ancestry and most advanced face apps on the market, it takes one’s facial profile and calculates unique facial features. Afterwards, it compares you (or whoever you used) to another person to see potential relations. 

Key Features:

• Compare facial features with siblings or other family members 

• Verification between potential family members using app algorithms 

• Use of 68 different facial points with comparisons in between people’s anatomies 

• Baby photos can be used 

Pros: 

• DNA testing 

• User-friendly 

• Face matching algorithms 

Cons:

• Not many advanced features 

• User interface is not engaging 

5. Railer (Android & iOS) 

A range of institutions use facial recognition technology for attendance purposes (e.g. colleges). The greatest benefit being accurate attendance - no false positives, essentially. 

Key Features:

• Quick and easy access for employees to log-in and out 

• Self-check-in 

• HR is able to have reliable time attendance

• App provides analytics 

• App sends push notifications 

Pros:

• Employee management is efficient 

• App provides reports for keeping track of employees 

6. Blippar (Android & iOS) 

This app helps users learn from their environment by scanning anything to understand more about it. It is mainly used for object recognition, allowing users to use augmented reality technology. For example, if a dog is scanned, the app supplies integral information such as the breed of the animal. 

Key Features:

• Scan anything and everything

• Recognize human faces, animals, plants, etc. 

Pros: 

• Scanning is simple 

• Products with Blippar’s logo on it are scannable 

• Augmented reality experiences 

Cons:

• User interface is not the best 

• Many bugs that need fixing 

7. Face2Gene (Android & iOS) 

This app is made specifically for healthcare workers, thus not for public use. It assesses patient evaluations with phenotyping and increasing the confidence of healthcare professionals by prioritizing genetic disorders. 

Key Features:

• Discoverability of genetic disorders 

• Detects dysmorphic features 

• Community group for healthcare workers

• Users get feedback 

• Doctors are able to securely share cases 

Pros:

• Variety of syndromes 

• Accurate analysis about patient health 

• Arguably more accurate (in some cases) than doctor diagnosis 

Cons:

• User interface could use some work 

• Email alerts that become a nuisance 

• Only healthcare professionals are able to use the app 

8. Face First (Android & iOS) 

This app allows users to identify others from a distance. It’s perfect for the military, retailers, and law enforcement. The app has real-time alerts, emails, accurate details, and text alerts. All the data uploaded on to the app is protected from third-parties. You must have valid credentials to use this application. 

Key Features:

• Security alerts given with correct information and time stamps 

• Mobile watchlist 

• Photos can be taken from distances with identity confirmation 

Pros:

• Fast notifications and updates

• Encrypted data capabilities to avoid misuse and false profiling 

• Can work as a stand-alone solution or part of a company’s biometric framework

Cons:

• User interface needs work 

• Both platforms (Android & iOS) have different features and functions 

9. MojiPop (Android & iOS) 

This is a free facial recognition software that has lots of fun animated stickers that portray different moods of each user through the use of an interactive keyboard. 

Key Features:

• Create your own personal avatar by taking a selfie

• Available in 58 languages

• Users can alter their hairstyles, moods, backgrounds, and expressions

Pros:

• Quick and easy access with stickers that look like you 

• Ability to convert stickers to other usable formats

• Many free caricatures and stickers made every single day! 

Cons:

• Online customer service is not the best

• Users aren’t able to delete previously made avatars

• Features need some work 

10. BioID (Android & iOS) 

This app uses biometrics to verify other’s identities and allows users to log into varying supported sites with face ID. The app can identify hackers with the company’s Fake Defender feature, along with the ability to protect photo attacks. 

Key Features: 

• Live detection 

• Movement analysis to ensure one’s presence on application

• Periocular eye recognition

• Photos click in four different directions for varying lighting 

Pros: 

• Can be used as authenticator to log into supportive apps or websites

• Secure and convenient face app 

• User-friendly 

Cons:

• Only primary option when unlocking is face ID

• Features and functions need some work in terms of engagement 

Types of Biometrics

There are two main types of biometrics, which fall into two categories:

Physical Identifiers 

1. Fingerprints: Popular with smartphones, also can be used with doors, computers, etc. to be an easy and efficient way to ‘log in’ somewhere. 

2. Photo/Video: With a mobile camera, this feature can be used for authentication, common functions being: retinal and facial recognitions. 

3. Voice: Voice recognition is a growing authentication system which uses digital assistants and varying services to identify people. 

4. DNA: This is the only form of biometrics which can find familial relations. It is especially accurate when looking for missing people, human trafficking, and victim identification. 

5. Signature Recognition: This software is often used in banks and retail locations as it is convenient in situations whereby users need to sign their names. 

6. Physiological Recognition: Apart from facial recognition, there are various image-based recognitions such as retina or iris detections, palm and ear recognition, and hand geometry. 

Behavioural Identifiers 

1. Typing Patterns: You’re able to identify someone based on their typing speed and degree of impact on the keyboard, essentially identify one by their typing style. 

2. Navigation Standards: This is detected with mouse movements, software and finger movements on the touch screen. 

3. Physical Movement: One of the main authentication physical recognizers is walking - it’s used for businesses when management wants to identify their employees. 

4. Patterns Engagement: Everyone is unique when it comes to how one opens an app, their location and times of day, the way we browse, how we check our social media and hold our phones. These are all behavioural characteristics that distinguish humans from robots.

Who are these facial recognition apps useful for? 

• Airports: These apps are great for security purposes, and no one needs more security than airports! 

• Schools: Use these apps to ensure attendance and fraudulent activity. 

• Retail Outlets: With the combination of surveillance cameras and facial recognition tools to scan faces, this is a great way to detect shoplifters. 

• Boarding Pass: An alternative to this could be validating one’s identity before boarding flights. 

• Marketing Campaigns: Marketing is all about targeting a certain audience based on gender, ethnicity, age and so on. Through the use of facial applications, businesses looking to market to specific groups can ensure their campaign is successful. 

• Social Media: Social platforms have large risks in terms of identity or data fraudulent activities. In order to ensure this doesn’t happen to you, algorithms like Facebook face recognition validates one’s identity with photo uploads. 

• Medical Services: These apps are great for the healthcare sector for identifying and keeping track of patients, along with records of information which are detrimental to one’s health. 

Loads of Information, but Don’t Know Where to Start? 

Your up and coming app can be the next big thing with all these great AI and facial recognition functionalities! However, it’s quite difficult to do this all on your own, especially without software knowledge. 

ISU Corp is an experienced custom software company that is here to help! We’re well-versed on this topic and are more than happy to offer our expertise. Contact us today to learn more! 

Save Time, Money, and Lives with Data Automation

Automation as a concept is a lot older than some may think… automatic control has been around for a long time. We can date it back to the 17th century with the creation of temperature control, steam engines and more! 

Obviously, living in the 21st century we have advanced a lot more. With great new technologies, we are not only able to create practical living situations, but also save lives within the health care sector. Today, we’ll be looking at how automation is changing the lives of many all over the world. 

The Healthcare Industry Summed Up

Before jumping into the tasks automation does, it’s important to understand how the healthcare industry has been functioning. Innovation in technology has helped to establish new and effective medicine, technological solutions for non-life threatening surgeries, and improved diagnostic aids. Of course, this is just a few great achievements within the masses of technological healthcare equipment. 

With every success though comes a challenge. One of the most prominent ones being quality and affordable healthcare, even in developed countries. The reasons for this are: 

Rising expenditures 

One of the largest portions of investments within the healthcare sector goes towards drug research and facilities, which results in massive hospital bills that make their way down to the patients. 

A study was conducted by Research Gate which showed that supply expense per patient in the United States was approximately a little over $4,000! This would be fine if each person had a health insurance plan or even a proper insurance plan for that matter, but unfortunately, this is not the case. 

With more complex procedures, the demand for medical devices increases while also increasing the bills. As mentioned, identifying research and development opportunities for medicinal drugs requires lots of cash. This is mainly due to the fact that large quantities of data need to be assessed and in turn, this requires lots of time and money. 

To be able to establish a balance between cost and health results, a consideration of multiple data variables must come into play. 

Appointment Scheduling 

Nearly 500 healthcare workers lost their income earnings due to canceled appointments. 

Other problems that occur are: 

• Lack of time to call patients

• Keeping patient contact information up to date

• No efficient ways to contact patients via text messaging applications 

• Lack of resources for reminders 

Security 

Patients willingly give up their private information to health care providers, including financial statuses and social security numbers. However, hackers are able to steal this information, causing a terrible security breach. 

Some of the highest data breach solutions cost around $400 for each patient record. In order to identify and restrict a breach from occurring, the time needed is a significant loss for the sector. Not to mention, the loss of reputation and trust from patients which can ultimately result in a loss of revenue. 

So, what is data automation? 

Data automation essentially replaces manual tasks with the use of information technology. Tasks that are repetitive in nature and require the least amount of human intervention ultimately benefit the most from automation. 

Data automation is a form of programming which handles storage, assimilation, and analysis of data. This process most often involves:

• Extraction: open data sources are evaluated and analyzed for relevant information. 

• Transformation: the data is converted into a program which is usable by machines.

• Loading: the data is put into the system to take place of raw material for the automation.

But wait...there’s more!

Big data automation (BDA) uses innovation and IT tools to create value. It assists with the reduction of manual labour during the process of collection and data analysis. Also, it reduces administrative work and improves patient healthcare.

Let’s Solve Your Problems with Data Automation 

So we’ve discussed data automation, BDA, and now we’re going to look at the robotic process automation (RPA), which is the next level within the automation realm. RPA uses machine learning and AI to complete tasks which would otherwise be done manually. It has immensely helped the healthcare industry. 

We mentioned above the 3 main challenges, now we’re going to provide you with solutions for all three: 

Rising Costs Solved 

A large sum of financial burdens within the health sector are due to growing demands for medical equipment and innovation costs for drug research. Scott Gottlieb (FDA commissioner) revealed a new budget plan which focused on modernizing drug and device production and using innovative practices to lower costs while advancing health needs. 

Data automation helps with this as it provides assistance in fast-tracking the assessment of safety and efficacy of medical drugs and devices. The data collection and analysis also plays a crucial role in drug discovery and new product functions. 

Appointment Scheduling Solved 

Do you know how much money and time would be saved if tasks like scheduling appointments and reminders were to be part of an automated process? Lots and lots of savings! There are multiple applications available which automate these tasks and have in turn given more time towards staff and resources allowing them to focus on the patients. 

The greatest features available on these apps: 

• Scheduling, booking, and cancelling appointments

• Feedback 

• Email or text message appointment notifications 

• Reporting to decrease cancellations and refine processes 

Security Issues Solved 

Most times, a manual error is the root cause for security breaches. However, when you replace manual work with data automation, the healthcare industry can ensure that these errors are minimal. Healthcare providers are now able to enable alerts, prioritize abnormal behaviour, and focus on monitoring all with the help of AI and automation. 

What else?

By using automation for diagnosis, predictive analysis, and recommendations, you’re able to ensure that the system will continuously operate in a way to detect and eliminate security issues. 

Although these three challenges are prominent within the healthcare world, they are not the only ones that arise. With that said, there are various forms of resolutions using data automation. Get in touch with us today to learn more about how you can save lives with data! 

Create a Great Mobile Experience with AR and AI

Enhanced Mobile Experience with AR & AI 

The combination of two highly advanced technological tools such as Augmented Reality (AR) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) becomes the ultimate digital dream. When AI is incorporated into any type of AR application, that AR world benefits from the bridging of the two tools. 

The use of both AR and AI enables mobile app developers to create more captivating and interactive apps. Let’s take a look into the specifics and see how the combination of AR and AI can create something incredible… 

Complementing One Another 

If you’re sick and tired of having customer complaints, consider combining AR and AI to increase customer satisfaction (and decrease your stress)! Many companies are beginning to develop the latest and greatest mobile apps which will be integrated with AR and AI technology. 

After all, AR would not exist without AI. Although the two have distinct characteristics and technologies, they’re able to sync with each other on multiple apps and platforms. Each is able to leverage one another’s best features in order to build the best possible mobile experience.  

AI and AR go hand-in-hand as AI enables AR with its accessibility to a multidimensional interactive mode, along with the physical environment. With access to manipulate 2D and 3D virtual objects with your body language, eyes and words! 

It’s projected that within the next 5 years, AR apps will take off and grow to be more and more popular. This is why it is crucial to obtain the right software development kits (SDK) and application program interfaces (API), as without these, your technologies will find it hard to succeed. 

Which SDKs and APIs are Available Today? 

As SDK and API capabilities are continuously expanding, there are more commercial opportunities available to increase your business. Some examples being:

• Vuforia: AR SDK which allows app developers to build immersive and mobile-centric AR experiences. It can support both Android and iOS which permits brands to create apps with less technical risks. 

• ARCore: This is an AR SDK which is Google’s proprietary. Developers are able to run AR apps on mobile devices with the supporting iOS devices. Developers can build highly advanced AR experiences through the use of ARCore. 

• Core ML: This API is a machine learning platform which is used on Apple devices. It allows you to get real-time projections of live images on your mobile device. The real-time factor, along with its low latency are the two greatest advantages. To top it off, Core ML can be used without any network connection! 

• TensorFlow Lite: This open-source framework involves deep learning and it focuses on mobile interference. It enables developers to use their own custom models. 

A Few Ways to Combine AR and AI 

1. Speech recognition: AI listens to what you say, while AR makes that appear. For instance, if you say the word “bagel”, a virtual bagel will be present in front of you. 

2. Image tracking and image recognition: This method allows customers to see how an object would fit into a specific setting. With the combination of AR and AI, users can move photos of multiple items into a single image of a certain place and assist them in making their decision. A perfect example of where this can be used is: IKEA. 

3. Human pose estimation: This allows for the detection of human poses and figures while predicting the positions of one’s joints in a video or image. In turn, this technique can be used for controlling AR content. 

4. Education: As technology is making its way to schools, it allows students to obtain different perspectives through the use of virtual reality. Students are able to interact and visualize with 3D versions of a human body - what better way to teach science? 

5. Recognizing and labeling: If you take a camera and point it towards an image, an AR app is able to then display a label which indicates the object in the image when the technology recognizes it. 

6. Car recognition: While using a smartphone camera, customers can sit in a car and discover information about the car’s interior features. No need to download any app for this! 

7. Object detection: If you’re looking to detect the position and extent of certain objects that you’ve seen in images or videos, then you need to combine AR and AI technologies! This model allows an interaction between digital and physical objects, and of course it is mobile-friendly. 

Start Your Virtual Journey Today

If you’re looking to excel your business and satisfy your customer’s needs, then consider AR and AI combination technologies. Together, these tools will ameliorate mobile experiences with developers being able to design greater experiences and customers being able to gain more diverse perspectives. 

There are so many AR and AI applications, it can be difficult to choose just one! To learn more about how ISU Corp can help you create an amazing mobile experience for your business, get in touch with us today!