We typically think of Intel as a hardware company, a chip-making giant that helps build wearables, cable-free laptops, smart baby onesies.
Today, though, the company is showing off software for a change. The
chip maker just unveiled Pocket Avatars, a mobile messaging app that
lets you send video messages to friends. Actually, "video messages"
doesn't really describe it. These aren't so much videos as 3D avatars
that happen to speak in your voice.
In particular, the app makes use of
facial recognition -- a pet project
of Intel's -- to mimic gestures like nodding, blinking, sticking out
your tongue, and raising your eyebrows. A future version, said to be
coming soon, will support more nuanced facial expressions, along with
neck and shoulder movements. All told, this is a lot of real-time
processing, which means the messages are going to be brief: You've got
15 seconds to say what you want to say.
The app, available today for iOS and Android, includes an avatar store
of sorts, where you can download 45 avatars, either for free or 99
cents. Of the bunch, you'll find some familiar characters, including
those from the Lego series, Gumby, Care Bear and The Jim Henson Company
(gotta give Intel credit for being thorough in its avatar-making deals,
we suppose). In addition to sending to folks in your contact list, you
can also post your clips to the usual services -- Facebook, Twitter, et
cetera. That doesn't mean you should (we might unfollow you), but hey, at least it sounds less annoying than Slingshot.
Friday, June 20, 2014
Intel launches messaging app that lets you speak through video avatars
8:49 AM
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