We’ve all experienced that awkward situation where you run into someone but can’t remember their name. Maybe it’s a consequence of college binge-drinking habits, maybe it’s because we constantly meet so many new people, but one thing is for certain: It is as awkward as getting trapped in the Lawrinson Hall elevator with your ex.

Imagine you’re sitting on the bus heading toward South Campus, and right across the aisle is someone you have undoubtedly met before but you can’t quite recall when or where. Instead of just strangely glancing and racking the confines of your brain for that person’s name, you may soon be able to learn it – and so much more – just by snapping a photo.

Welcome to the age of augmented identity. The Astonishing Tribe, less formally known as TAT, is a Swedish software and design firm that is developing a facial recognition application for smart phones. This highly anticipated application has been dubbed ‘Recognizr,’ and as of last week a demo version has been on the market. It is compatible with smart phones that have at least a 5.0 megapixel camera and run on the Android operating system.

Employing facial recognition software from Polish Rose (breath easy, Apple groupies – this software is also compatible with the iPhone), TAT developed an app that recognizes the face of anyone who ‘opts-in’ to the system and shows the seeker every type of social networking account that particular person chose to link up.

Dr. Art Thomas, a professor of practice in the School of Information Studies, thinks that this development has potential.

‘It will reduce ambiguity in the business community … from a business standpoint it would be very helpful,’ he said.

Back to that bus … Get that unknown girl or guy’s face on your phone and the facial recognition software you downloaded from TAT connects you to his or her Facebook, Skype, YouTube and Twitter accounts. Now that you know that it’s the slacker from your philosophy group project freshman year who never did anything, you can skip the hello.

In the same sense that this is a convenient technology, it is also being pegged as one that is further opening the doors to Big Brother. Thought you were being watched all the time before? Well, the icing for the cake has finally arrived.

‘Like most things in technology, the ability to do something does not give you the right to do it,’ Thomas warned.

When this app gains momentum and popularity, you may be finding yourself in the other seat on that bus. Did that person sitting across from you just snap a pic with his phone? Are they at that very moment perusing your Facebook profile pictures? You may never know.

The good news is that your identity cannot be entered into the system without your consent. Should you choose to ‘opt in,’ which you have to do to be able to use the service, you must set up an account, take your own picture and link it with as many or as few connected social networking outlets as you prefer.

With this massive invasion of privacy waiting to be released into the world, it’s ponderous what could convince someone to opt-in to this service. Well, the same reasons people create profiles on Facebook and MySpace, Twitter and blogs: People want to be connected, and apparently convenience has usurped privacy in the order of importance.

Dan Grdenfors, the head of user experience research at TAT, has expressed confidence that a full-blown version of ‘Recognizr’ could be ready in as little as two months. So unless you’re opposed to public transportation, start cleaning up that Facebook and prepare for every person on the bus to be armed with ‘Recognizr.’

Jessica Smith is a sophomore information technologies management and television, radio and film major. Once you’ve put her picture in ‘Recognizr,’ you’ll know she can be reached at jlsmit22@syr.edu.

Published on February 24, 2010 at 12:00 pm