Latest Smartphone Capabilities Are Shockingly Space Age
(credit: torugatoru)
With the introduction of the Siri iPhone app earlier this month, smartphone technology took a seemingly small step that will be remembered as a giant leap for humankind. For the first time ever, at least practically, consumers have access to speech-recognizing personal assistant software that can process a seemingly endless series of commands, questions, and even sly pop culture references. We can safely say we’ve arrived into the age of artificial intelligence – at least the most basic form of consumer use for it. But as far as smartphone technology goes – and that technology’s potential – Siri is only the beginning in a list of capabilities that seem straight out of science fiction.
For instance, Swiss researchers have recently found a way to monitor the heart through the smartphone. By connecting four non-invasive electrode sensors attached to the body into the headphone jack, smartphones can monitor heart activity and provide an individual with real-time health data. This data can in-turn be sent to the appropriate medical professional if necessary. It’s an astounding piece of technology that only signals the start of what is certain to become a way for virtually anyone to someday have their entire biometrics constantly monitored through a communications device which can alert emergency personnel in the event of injury or illness. Trekkies out there will recognize this as a key component of the uniforms worn by the members of the Starship Enterprise.
On the slightly spookier side of things, a research team at Georgia Tech recently found a way to deduce what someone is typing through the iPhone 4 accelerometer, which measures vibrations in the air and is a component of every smartphone on the market. The remarkable formula they found is 80% accurate, and uses a system of processing two keystrokes at a time to hone in on the particular vibrations given off by certain chains of keys pressed. They say it’s a bit too complex for your average identity thief, but a clever hacker could easily use this system to break into the phone of an employee of a major corporation and record keystrokes, waiting for passwords and other information to be uncovered.
Smartphones are turning more and more into pocket-sized computers. But more than that, they’re encapsulating technological trends that are occurring as we speak. While the first several generations of smartphones were indeed and are indeed mostly inspired by the hardware and software of most personal computers, it’s the mobile devices themselves that are the first in line to receive the latest in technological breakthroughs. But with that role in innovation comes a risk of manipulation, as malicious-minded people will always be eager to take advantage of the latest technology. Even if you aren’t using Siri, always remember to ask the right questions when operating the latest in personal technology.