NEW - Search within among popular celebs

Dudes et Dudettes

At long last, something that was suggested and requested by several users has moved from the product pipeline into implementation. We now have a feature that allows you to restrict your searches to only happen within a (user selected) subset of images. Right now, this subset happens to just be the set of all faces that are "deemed" to be popular (algorithmically, of course). Later, we hope to tag more subsets allowing you to choose various intersections (e.g. popular male sportsperson). Until, then we hope you enjoy this new feature, and of course, comments are always welcome and appreciated. We're not entirely happy with the current interface, of course, but it's been launched after preliminary testing because you wanted it so bad :-)

Thanks.

- HASHers

Model retraining planned

At the current rate we hope to have enough annotated training data to refine our face recognition models and search algorithm early next year. Bear with us until then. When the new models are released, expect significantly improved matching and faster search.

A. Hasher.

Two more Creative Error messages (Only for HashThySelf Mobile)

These were written by ourselves :-) following in the footsteps of our original contributors to the Web-based service). These two new messages were needed because of mildly annoying hurdles imposed by the carriers upon developers. On first-use (assuming application permissions are set to "ask on first use"), the J2ME client will ask for permission to use the camera and access the net. If you deny either, then one or both of the following messages pop up.

CAMERA ACCESS REQUIRED

Thy camera I seek to use
Thy likeness I seek to capture
Thy trust, fear not, I sha'nt abuse
Thy results shall bring you rapture

Until thou grants permission
To snap thy still pictures
My program I cannot comission
To use thy cellphone's fixtures.

- Thy Faithful Zetamaton

INTERNET ACCESS REQUIRED

I need to use the Net
To send thy lovely likeness
But it seems that thou hast set
Permissions to deny me access

Dear patron, return'st please
Enable me a Network link
Thereafter problems will cease
To hinder our search, I think.

- Thy Faithful Zetamaton

On Data plans for cellphones

To use the HashThySelf Zeta application on your cellphone, you obviously need to have a data plan with your carrier. I find Cingular to be pretty good in terms of coverage and speed, but it charges $19.99 per month for a data plan because, I'm told, it bundles the "use your phone as a modem for your laptop" feature, which I hardly ever use. After all, aren't we all perpetually in one WiFi zone or another?

In contrast, T-Mo offers a data plan (unlimited Internet browsing via the phone only) for just $5.99 (at least as long as this link is active)

Check it out. Once you have a data plan on your phone, not only can you have fun with HashThySelf and the upcoming Zetangole Mobile party game, but you can also use the ever-so-cool Google Maps on your phone (which has gotten me unlost more times than I can remember)

A. Hasher

Wanted! Folks to try out HashThySelf Mobile on platforms other than Nokia 6682

Since the Nokia 6682 HashThySelf app is writtin in Java, we want to find out which other phones it will run on. If you have a recent camera equipped Java phone, and would like to try out the HashThySelf app on it, you should let us know via this Contacts page. We will then send you a free version of the Mobile client in the understanding that you will promptly let us know if it works or not on your phone. Once we have confirmation that it works on your phone, we will be able to add the phone to the list of supported devices with our distributor. Tell us your phone's make and model, your name and the email address to which we should send the application.

Note that you also need to have a data plan with carriers in order for the application to work.

A. Hasher.

New! HashThySelf Zeta on Nokia 6682, etc.

Since my last post - we've actually made double
progress. Not only is HashThySelf Zeta available on
Palm Treos (which the developer chose to
give away free), we also now have a version on the
Nokia 6680 series cellphones. I must say that the UIs
of both these mobile apps are amazing and wish to thank
both developers for wonderful jobs.

If you have an Internet enabled camera phone that is
compatible with the Nokia 6682 or a Palm Treo with a
data plan, I urge you to give HashThySelf Zeta a try.

See how easy it is to find which celebrity you or your
friends look like by just pointing your mobile camera,
clicking and sending.

Enjoy dudes et dudettes, and be sure to send us your
comments.

A. Hasher