This week the experimental developer-aimed group known as Google ATAP
- aka Advanced Technology and Projects (skunkworks) have announced
Project Tango. They’ve suggested Project Tango will appear first as a
phone with 3D sensors. These 3D sensors will be able to scan and build a
map of the room they’re in, opening up a whole world of possibilities.
The device that Project Tango will release first will be just about
as limited-edition as they come. Issued in an edition of 200, this
device will be sent to developers only. This developer group will be
hand-picked by Google’s ATAP - and sign-ups start today. (We’ll be
publishing the sign-up link once active.)
Speaking on this skunkworks project this morning was Google
user Johnny Lee. Mister Johnny Lee is ATAP’s technical program lead,
and he’ll be heading this project for the public, as you’ll see it. This
is the same group that brought you Motorola’s digital tattoos, if you’ll remember.
The Twitter logo displayed on a smart phonePhoto: PA
Scientists have developed the ultimate lie detector for social media – a
system that can tell whether a tweeter is telling the truth.
The creators of the system called Pheme, named after the Greek mythological
figure known for scandalous rumour, say it can judge instantly between truth
and fiction in 140 characters or less.
Researchers across Europe are joining forces to analyse the truthfulness of
statements that appear on social media in “real time” and hope their system
will prevent scurrilous rumours and false statements from taking hold, the Times
reported.
The creators believe that the system would have proved useful to the police
and authorities during the London Riots of 2011. Tweeters spread false
reports that animals had been released from London Zoo and landmarks such as
the London Eye and Selfridges had been set on fire, which caused panic and
led to police being diverted.
Kalina Bontcheva, from the University of Sheffield’s engineering department,
said that the system would be able to test information quickly and trace its
origins. This would enable governments, emergency services, health agencies,
journalists and companies to respond to falsehoods.