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Google joins FIDO's crusade to replace passwords

A group of tech companies looking to replace passwords for online identity authentication gained a powerful ally Tuesday in the form of Google.

The consortium, called the Fast IDentity Online Alliance (FIDO), is working to develop standards-based alternatives for verifying a user's identity when trying to login to Web sites and online accounts. Formed in 2012, the group proposes specifications that will support a variety of authentication technologies, including biometrics such as fingerprint scanners and voice and facial recognition, as well as security tokens, near field communication, and one-time passwords.

The Web giant joins founding members Lenovo, PayPal, Nok … Read more

The iPhone app that's like a Yelp for dogs

At heart, are dogs as unpleasant as human beings?

The question pummels at my sinews today because an iPhone app of unusual enlightenment has been brought to my attention.

It's called FidoFactor. And what sets it apart from all those fart-obsessed, teeny-titillating iPhone apps is that, to use a phrase created by the company itself, it's "like Yelp for dogs."

We've all yelped for a dog at some point in our lives, but staring at this concept made me think that this app (and its accompanying site) would be the equivalent of reading reviews from … Read more

U.S. Army orders more PackBots

The company that ate the robot market, iRobot, has just received an order from the U.S. Army for 40 more PackBots, which means that will soon be more than 1,000 of these robots on active duty around the world.

Units ordered include some equipped with the ICx Fido Explosives Detector. Fido allows an operator to detect explosive vapors and particulates from munitions or IEDs from a safe distance using a game-style controller.

The 510 model was also included. It can lift 30 pounds and scoot around at almost 6 mph, climbs stairs, roll over rubble, rocks, mud and … Read more

Keep Rover in check with a simple tag

In the world of digital gadgetry, anything can become a booming business--even dog tags. We're not talking about fashion items of the human variety, but ones for Rover and Fido. And far from Lassie's day, the ones on the contemporary market have everything from fitness meters to safety LEDs.

Yet for those canine owners who long for simpler days--and don't want to shell out big bucks--can combine modern technology with old-fashioned ID collars in the form of "Dog-E-Tags." These no-frill devices, which Inventor Spot calls "the best dog tags ever," can provide 40 … Read more