https://www.anandtech.com/show/15828/airy3ds-transmission-diffraction-mask-a-cheap-camera-depth-sensing-solution

Over the last few years, we’ve seen a lot of new technologies in the mobile market trying to address the problem of attempting to gather depth information with a camera system. There’s been various solutions by different companies, ranging from IR dot-projectors and IR cameras (structured light), stereoscopic camera systems, to the latest more modern time-of-flight special dedicated sensors. One big issue of these various implementations has been the fact that they’re all using quite exotic hardware solutions that can significantly increase the bill of materials of a device, as well as influence its industrial design choices.

Airy3D is a smaller new company that has been to date only active on the software front, providing various imaging solutions to the market. The company is now ready to transition to a hybrid business model, describing themselves as a hardware-enabled software company.

The company’s main product to fame right now is the “DepthIQ” platform – a hardware-software solution that promises to enable high-quality depth sensing to single cameras at a much cheaper cost than any other alternative.

At the heart of Airy3D’s innovation is an added piece of hardware to existing sensors in the market, called a transmissive diffraction mask, or TDM. This TDM is an added transmissive layer manufactured on top of the sensor, shaped with a specific profile pattern, that is able to encode the phase and direction of light that is then captured by the sensor.

The TDM in essence creates a diffraction pattern (Talbot effect) onto the resulting picture, that differs based on the distance of a captured object. The neat thing that Airy3D is able to do here, is employ advanced software algorithms that are able to decode this pattern, and transform the raw 2D image capture into a 3D depth map as well as a 2D image with the diffraction pattern compensated out.

Airy3D’s role in the manufacturing chain of a DepthIQ enabled camera module is designing the TDM grating which they then license out and cooperate with sensor manufacturers, who then integrate it into their sensors during production. In essence, the company would be partnering with any of the big sensor vendors such as Sony Semiconductor, Samsung LSI or Omnivision in order to produce a complete solution.

I was curious whether the company had any limits in terms of the resolution the TDM can be manufactured at, since many of today’s camera sensors employ 0.8µm pixel pitches and we’re even starting to see 0.7µm sensors coming to market. The company sees no issues in scaling the TDM grating down to 0.5µm – so there’s still a ton of leeway for future sensor generations for years to come.

Adding a transmissive layer on top of the sensor naturally doesn’t come for free, and there is a loss in sharpness. The company is quoting MTF sharpness reductions of around 3.5%, as well as a reduction of the sensitivity of the sensor due to TDM, in the range of 3-5% across the spectral range.

 
Camera samples without, and with the TDM

The company shared with us some samples of a camera system using the same sensor, once without the TDM, and once with the TDM employed. Both pictures are using the exact same exposure and ISO settings. In terms of sharpness, I wouldn’t say there’s major immediately noticeable differences, but we do see that the darker image with the TDM employed, a result of the reduced QE efficiency of the sensor.

The software processing is said to be comparatively light-weight compared to other depth-sensor solutions, and can be done on a CPU, GPU, DSP or even small FPGA.

The resulting depth discernation the solution is able to achieve from a single image capture is quite astounding – and there’s essentially no limit to the resolution that can be achieved as it scales with the sensor resolution.

More complex depth sensing solutions can add anywhere from $15 to $30 to the BOM of a device. Airy3D sees this technology to see the biggest adoption in the low- and mid-range, as usually the higher end is able to absorb the cost of other solutions, as also unlikely to be willing to make the make any sacrifice in image quality on the main camera sensors. A cheaper device for example would be able to have depth-sensing face ID unlocking with just a simple front camera sensor, which would represent notable cost savings.

Airy3D says they have customers lined up for the technology, and see a lot of potential for it in the future. It’s an extremely interesting way to achieve depth sensing given it’s a passive hardware solution that integrates into an existing camera sensor.

via AnandTech https://ift.tt/phao0v

June 4, 2020 at 09:11AM

https://lifehacker.com/what-incognito-mode-can-and-cant-do-to-protect-your-dat-1843888437

via Lifehacker https://lifehacker.com

June 3, 2020 at 03:21PM

https://www.engadget.com/zoom-explains-why-free-users-wont-get-encrypted-video-calls-103046648.html

Zoom has confirmed it won’t be offering end-to-end encryption on free accounts. Last week, the company’s security consultant Alex Stamos revealed that plans for tightened security on paying accounts were in the pipeline — today Zoom CEO Eric Yuan has confirmed it. Predictably, the move has stirred a lot of controversy, namely because Yuan has given the impression that in doing so, Zoom wants to keep authorities sweet.

In the company’s latest financial results announcement, Yuan said, “Free users, for sure, we don’t want to give that [end-to-end encryption]. Because we also want to work it together with FBI and local law enforcement, in case some people use Zoom for bad purpose.” Some have subsequently accused Zoom of “kowtowing to the police.”

However, Stamos asserted that Yuan’s statement was not clear (and also gave a tongue-in-cheek nod to his relationship with his former CEO Mark Zuckerberg), and then took to Twitter to explain in more detail why Zoom has made this decision. According to Stamos, Zoom faces a “difficult balancing act” trying to improve privacy guarantees while “reducing the human impact of the abuse of its product.” Here, he’s referring to hate speech, exposure to children and other illegal behaviors which have blighted Zoom in recent times. Those involved in this type of activity will mostly use a free account with throwaway email addresses – a lower level of encryption will allow Zoom, with the assistance of law enforcement, to take action on repeat offenders.

Concluding, Stamos notes, “Will this eliminate all abuse? No, but since the vast majority of harm comes from self-service users with fake identities this will create friction and reduce harm.” He also reiterated that Zoom does not proactively monitor content in meetings and “will not in the future.” Nor does it, or will it, record meetings silently.

The company has faced a raft of challenges in recent times, largely catalyzed by its increased uptake due to the coronavirus crisis. And now, as the platform is increasingly being used by nefarious individuals for illegal activities, Zoom — like all other tech companies — must strike a balance between security for its trusted users, and mechanisms for weeding out the bad actors. Zoom hasn’t yet given a release date for the new encryption feature.

via Engadget http://www.engadget.com

June 3, 2020 at 05:39AM

https://www.engadget.com/google-lawsuit-tracking-users-incognito-mode-134515384.html

A proposed class action lawsuit filed against Google is accusing the company of violating federal wiretap laws by tracking users’ online activities even when they’re in Incognito mode. The complaint says the tech giant uses tools like Google Analytics, Google Ad Manager, smartphone and PC applications, as well as website plug-ins, to monitor users even if they don’t click on Google-supported ads. It also says that “millions” of users who went online in Chrome’s Incognito mode since June 1st, 2016 have likely been affected.

“Google tracks and collects consumer browsing history and other web activity data no matter what safeguards consumers undertake to protect their data privacy,” the lawsuit reads. The plaintiffs argue that by tracking users’ info when they’re in Incognito, Google has been intentionally deceiving customers into believing that they have control over the information they share with the company. According to Reuters, the lawsuit is seeking $5 billion in damages or at least $5,000 per affected user for violations of federal wiretapping and California privacy laws.

In a statement sent to The New York Times, Google spokesperson Jose Castaneda said that the company strongly disputes the claims and that it will defend itself “vigorously” against them. He also explained:

“Incognito mode in Chrome gives you the choice to browse the internet without your activity being saved to your browser or device. As we clearly state each time you open a new incognito tab, websites might be able to collect information about your browsing activity during your session.”

Back in 2019, Google rolled out a Chrome update that prevents website from tracking users in Incognito. When activated, it closes a loophole that websites use to identify whether a user is browsing in private or not.

via Engadget http://www.engadget.com

June 3, 2020 at 04:39AM

https://gizmodo.com/engineer-builds-auto-adjusting-club-that-compensates-fo-1843861933

via Gizmodo https://gizmodo.com

June 2, 2020 at 04:09PM

https://www.engadget.com/instagram-chefs-pandemic-163137890.html

When you look at Victor Aguilera’s Instagram account, you’ll see a few selfies along with several photos of arepas, a griddled corn cake common in Venezuela. They’re pictured grilled, fried, filled with avocados and cheese, or steak and plantains. But Aguilera is not just an arepa enthusiast. He’s a professional chef, and for the past few months, his Instagram account has served as a way to drum up business. 

Aguilera is just one of hundreds of restaurant workers who were recently laid off due to the pandemic. Before launching his arepa enterprise, he worked at the Brixton, an American gastropub in San Francisco. As a way to make ends meet, he took to Instagram to sell food inspired by his home country of Venezuela. Interested customers can either DM him or text him directly for orders (He leaves his phone number prominently displayed right on his Instagram bio). He then personally delivers the food by bicycle all over San Francisco, directly to the customer’s door. After some recent press, Aguilera now has a regular clientele and he says orders have been coming in non-stop. 

He is not the only chef who has turned to technology as a side hustle during the coronavirus pandemic. Adahlia Cole (also known as “hungry hungry hooker” online), who used to give custom food tours of the city, has compiled a list of former restaurant workers in the San Francisco Bay Area who have pivoted to Instagram as a means of income. The range of cuisine listed has everything from Italian pasta to apple pie. Several of these enterprising Instagram chefs aren’t just amateur cooks; some have culinary school credentials, while others have worked in critically acclaimed restaurants. Sometimes both. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Victor Aguilera (@arepasenbici) on May 24, 2020 at 9:09pm PDT

The selling-food-through-Instagram method varies, but in general, this is how it works: a chef posts what they’re offering and then interested customers can call, text or DM them to place orders. Sometimes there’s a link in their bio where people can order through an e-commerce site like Shopify. If the order is made via text or DM, the chef sometimes asks for payment through Venmo or a similar service. If the chef has offered delivery as an option, the customer would obviously provide an address. Then, on an agreed on day and time, an order of hot, tasty, home-made food arrives at the customer’s front door. Since the order hasn’t gone through a delivery service like Grubhub or Doordash, all of that money goes directly to the chef who actually made the food. 

The legality of the practice is somewhat questionable — state laws generally allow selling food made out of a home, but permits and licenses are often still required depending on your region. Enforcement can also vary. But the idea is not a new one, and the concept of the so-called “InstaChef” has been around for quite some time. (A Thrillist video series with the same name debuted in 2018.) Michael Lawless, also known online as “El Chefe,” began his LA-based business in 2013 when he started promoting and selling his style of cajun fried chicken on Instagram, and now has over 45,000 followers. Trap Kitchen, a South London-based operation run by Prince Cofie Owusu (also known as Shakka) started in 2016 out of his mother’s apartment. He now has over 123,000 followers, and offers boxed meals that contain everything from lobster tails to Belgian waffles. 

Aside from just offering chefs an additional source of income, social media sites like Instagram have also helped food workers build a community with each other. Instead of competing with one another, chefs often amplify other chefs, creating a word-of-mouth campaign that has proven far more successful than traditional advertising. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Spice Dom ft. Nonya Queen (@dabaosingapore) on May 4, 2020 at 8:54pm PDT

I was first introduced to the “InstaChef” world when I saw an Instagram story posted by Tracy Goh, a San Francisco-based food entrepreneur who specializes in Malaysian fare like chili crab and laksa, usually a spicy coconut-based noodle soup. (I’m a fan of her Malaysian-centric pop-up dinners, and backed her recent Kickstarter campaign to launch a brick-and-mortar restaurant focusing on Malaysian laksa.) 

It was the early days of the San Francisco shelter-in-place order, and she was promoting the Instagram account for a recently laid-off Singaporean chef (she goes by the alias of “Spice Dom”) who was offering up Singaporean-Malaysian classics (the two cuisines are often interchangeable) like chicken rice and assam laksa, a spicy and sour noodle soup. As diverse as the culinary scene is in San Francisco, there just aren’t that many restaurants that focus on the foods of Singapore or Malaysia, my homeland. Keen on tasting the cuisine of my childhood, I leapt at the opportunity and slid into Spice Dom’s DMs. 

Within hours, she responded with the week’s menu. I made my order and Venmoed her the cash along with my home address. Was it risky to give a stranger my address? Probably, but Goh’s recommendation made me trust her, plus Spice Dom had pretty decent culinary credentials to boot. (Her resume includes being an executive sous chef at a critically acclaimed restaurant.) A few days and several back-and-forth chats later, a container of assam laksa arrived at my front door. It was spicy, briny, full of umami and absolutely hit the spot.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Spice Dom ft. Nonya Queen (@dabaosingapore) on May 22, 2020 at 9:44pm PDT

Spice Dom didn’t always sell Singaporean fare through her Instagram account. Instead, she started out with slightly more mainstream Asian fare like ramen or chicken teriyaki. But it wasn’t until she started offering Singaporean-Malaysian foods that her orders skyrocketed. That’s partly due to fellow chefs like Goh amplifying her message, but also due to a seemingly untapped market of Singaporean-Malaysian food devotees in the San Francisco Bay Area. “I was completely shocked that there were so many people who liked it,” she said. 

The business expanded further when she roped in fellow Singaporean and former coworker “Nonya Queen” as a pastry chef to offer Singaporean desserts like kuih lapis and mango sago. 

Then, as luck would have it, another Singaporean-based Instagram operation popped up by the name of Makan Place. (“Makan” translates to “Eat” in Malay.) It was also helmed by two other San Francisco-based Singaporeans, both of whom were also former restaurant workers. After Makan Place was featured in outlets like Eater and the San Francisco Chronicle, Spice Dom and Nonya Queen were getting confused with them, so they decided to brand themselves under a new Instagram account called Dabao Singapore. (“Da bao” roughly translates to “take out” in Cantonese.) 

“The [Dabao] menu is more streamlined, while any additional desserts have to go through Erika,” Spice Dom said. “We’ve also increased the frequency of our menu drops to three times a week as opposed to one or two.”

As for the rising competition, Spice Dom isn’t mad that Makan Place exists. Instead, she’s happy to promote them, along with other Instagram accounts that are also offering Singaporean-Malaysian food during the pandemic, such as Nora Haron in Oakland and Satay By the Bay in San Francisco. That also extends to Goh, who recently started offering a Malaysian snack platter through her online store. When perusing their Instagram accounts, I often found that they were promoting and tagging each other as well. “We’re supporting our own people,” she said. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Damansara Malaysian Laksa ??SF (@damansarasf) on May 9, 2020 at 4:35pm PDT

Goh, who had her own laksa business in San Francisco prior to the pandemic, published a photo on Instagram a few weeks ago of a bowl of laksa that she ordered from Dabao, ostensibly a rival shop. But, as she wrote in her post, she wasn’t worried about the competition. The reason Goh started her venture in the first place was because she couldn’t find any representation of her cuisine in the city. “For years, I had felt quite alone on this quest with only one voice,” she wrote. “For me, the dream is to make laksa one of the Asian noodle soups an average San Franciscan thinks about when they’re hungry, hungover, on a chilly foggy day like this … I welcome and root for other players in this field.”

Through Instagram, chefs of all different cuisines have not only figured out a way to survive the pandemic, but thrive in it. Dabao’s business is now so popular that Spice Dom says she’ll soon be able to hire staff — great news for former coworkers who have remained unemployed. They’re also in the process of securing a commercial kitchen space, which offers a lot more prep space than just their homes. 

Aguilera is in the same position. He said that thanks to his successful arepa business, once the coronavirus pandemic is over, he no longer plans to go back to working in someone else’s kitchen. Instead, he hopes to open up his own restaurant. “I really hope to find a location and open a small place so everyone can come and [get] take out.”

via Engadget http://www.engadget.com

June 2, 2020 at 11:39AM

https://www.geeksaresexy.net/2020/06/02/princess-bride-qwawantine-meme-gallery/

via [Geeks Are Sexy] Technology News https://ift.tt/23BIq6h

June 2, 2020 at 09:00AM