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If you like checking in to locations to get deals using apps like Foursquare and Facebook, you may know the frustration of forgetting to check in. You may have lost out on valuable deals or a coveted Mayorship. Businesses may have been frustrated as well when people check in to a store without actually entering it.
A company called Redpepper is working on a solution to these frustrations. Facedeals is a Facebook app that lets you check in with your face. Facedeals uses facial recognition technology to identify people who visit stores and provide them with special offers tailored to their interests. “We set out to evolve the check in process by creating a seamless check in method for checking in and getting deals,” the company explains in its preview video.
To use the app, you authorize it on Facebook. The app then identifies you by scanning recent Facebook pictures in which you have been tagged. You verify your profile image to make sure the app has identified you correctly. The app also analyzes your Facebook Likes to determine what sort of deals would appeal to you.
When you walk into a store that has Facedeals, a camera uses “passive facial recognition” to identify you. If you have authorized the app, then a deal optimized for you pops up on your phone. No need to check in, Facedeals does that for you.
This app is from Redpepper and is not affiliated with Facebook. The app is being tested in Nashville, TN and the company is asking for feedback on the app. You can read more about the app and contact the company with your feedback at their website.
What do you think of Facedeals? Vote in today’s The Wonder of Tech poll and let us know your thoughts:
Do you use Foursquare or other check-in apps? Do you like getting deals tailored to your interests? Have you missed out on deals because you forgot to check in at a store? Would you want a camera trying to identify you as you entered a store? Let us know in the Comments section below!
Hi Carolyn,
Totally creepy! I think recognising people as they enter a store is an interesting concept, but can be done in other ways. I think recognising customers from their credit/debit card at the checkout and offering a deal might work better.
I added another photograph to my collection of photos I think are good enough for an exhibition yesterday. I was getting better shots in winter, the light improves a little in the evening, but then I have to cope with long shadows. I wrote psychology blogs today; art tomorrow! 🙂
Hi Mike, Yes, I agree, having an easier way to check in is desirable, but facial recognition may not be the best way to achieve that goal. Waiting for a credit card purchase though may not alert me to deals I wouldn’t have considered otherwise.
I need to get over to your blog and see your photos, Mike! It’s always a highlight of my week. 🙂
This thing is creepy in my opinion.
Can be used in many ways…
Not so useful..You just have to enter a store that is two steps away..
Hi Lokesh, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech! Yes, unfortunately check in apps such as Foursquare let you check in even if you never go into a store. The GPS location technology isn’t accurate enough to determine whether someone is actually in a store to allow check-ins only from actual shoppers. Facedeals solves that issue, but maybe at too high a privacy cost?
It’s cool and creepy (It’s cool that we have great technology to do this, but is this a bit intrusive to our privacy?).
Especially to people who don’t want to check in (sure, we could block the app, right?).
I still don’t think it is a great thing to have (It is cool to get those deals).
And of course, this might help the government to keep a better track of us – and where we are going (Is that good or bad?).
Hi Jeevan, Wow, sounds as if you have very mixed feelings about this technology. Yes, you’re right, there are both good and bad aspects to it. It would be great to get personalized deals easily but the face recognition technology may seem a bit intrusive.
At least it’s opt in technology so that only people who want to use it will get to use it! 🙂
Wonder how it works Carolyn!
I guess for me, while I agree with others that it does sound creepy, but going with the flow and change of things, there’s no harm trying it. But yes, I would like to see how it worked before deciding to use it or not. 🙂
it does sound easy and convenient when you are recognized as you enter stores, but then there is no privacy left I think and there might be times when you don’t want to be recognized or prefer just going ahead without all such hassles.
Thanks for sharing and let’s see what the poll results are. 🙂
Hi Harleena, Excellent point. You could try it out and if you didn’t like it you could de-authorize the app.
I wonder if you didn’t want to be recognized if you could wear a hat and sunglasses. It would be a good test to see how accurate the technology was!
Thanks for stopping by and voting, Harleena! 🙂
Why does this feel as though its a step to far..
Sure the concept is pretty smart, but I fear the implementation will be far from easy. What happens when its busy and they don’t recognise your face – NO SPECIAL DEALS for you.
Perfect for active FB users and people that go out alot, exciting but not so much.
Hi Simmeon, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech! Yes, it would be frustrating if your face weren’t recognized by Facedeals. I would let the manager of the store know so that he or she could contact Facedeals. If it happened a lot you could check to see whether the image Facedeals has of you resembles your face.
Great point, I also wonder if the store were very busy, such as during big sales or during the holidays, whether Facedeals could keep up with the facial recognition.
No facial recognition stuff for me Carolyn. I hope I don’t ever live to see all of that come into play. Yep, I admit it. I think that’s taking it to the extreme. But, if people like it and sign up for an account then obviously they’re okay with it. If we don’t want to use it we don’t have to. That much I like.
As always, bringing us up to speed on the latest and greatest new stuff coming online.
~Adrienne
Hi Adrienne, Good point, the app could be really creepy if it were “opt out”, meaning that deals popped up on your phone unless you de-authorized the app.
When I find out about interesting tech that’s close to launching, I like to share it with Wonder of Tech readers to give them a glimpse of the future! I’m glad you enjoyed this article, Adrienne, even though you’re not a fan of the technology.
It sounds fascinating. Almost like science fiction to me. It sounds a bit creepy, but I can see why this will work and I would probably use it myself too, but I wouldn’t be one of the first to test it. I feel like I’m losing control 🙂
Hi Jens, That’s a great idea. You could wait to see how it works out with others first before you sign up for it. I imagine the first time you’re at a store with a friend and he gets a special deal through Facedeals, you would be very tempted to sign up.
For example, if Facedeals offered a free Coke Zero at your favorite pizza restaurant, the app would be very difficult to resist, I imagine! 🙂
You got me. It’s the perfect example 🙂
I would have started using it the first time I heard someone had received an offer like that 🙂
Yes, Jens, if Facedeals could figure out that you like Coke Zero and pizza then it might entice you!
I am not sure, but a movie starring Tom Cruise comes to mind (or maybe it was Arnold Schwarzenegger. Where he walks to the subway and he hears and sees advertisements all over and they’re all saying his name 🙂
Yes, I remember that, it can be creepy. We’re getting there pretty fast, aren’t we?
Hey Carolyn
I do use Foursquare occasionally, although I sometimes forget about it when I’m out and about. It gets put to one side in favour of Facebook mostly I’m afraid. I’m never sure whether UK stores would really actually give you that special offer showing on your phone either. Hey, there’s only one way to find out.
I like to embrace new technologies but I think Facedeal is maybe a step too far. It’s all starting to sound a bit like big brother is watching!
Tim
Hi Tim, Yes, it is frustrating when you forget to check in with Foursquare and miss out on good deals. I haven’t had a problem actually getting a deal from a store after I checked in. One store, Radio Shack, hadn’t heard about the Foursquare offer for $50 off of a smartphone, but then they looked it up on their website and gave me the deal.
I have one friend who doesn’t use any loyalty cards at stores because she doesn’t want her purchases tracked. Most of us relinquish that level of privacy to get special deals. But how much privacy are we prepared to relinquish in order to get those deals?
If you were told that you would have your purchases tracked in exchange for special deals at a store, you might be reluctant to sign on, but most of us sign up for loyalty cards without giving our privacy a second thought!
It should be very interesting to see how Facedeals develops… 😕
I’m not big on Four Square or any of that stuff that is tracking me; I’m always afraid someone will catch me goofing off………..what? I don’t have a guilty conscious……….:).
What do you know about Keeper? Have you done a review on this yet? It’s probably time I took my password list off the credenza behind my desk, huh?
Hi Bill, I haven’t done a review of Keeper nor any of the other password management tools yet. Keeper has great reviews in the iTunes App Store.
Yes, you should probably take your passwords off of your business cards too. 😉
Hi Carolyn,
First of all having facial recognition in every store is creepy. Thinking of some disadvantages will do to your privacy life.
But in other hand, looking at the advantages of facial recognition this is very helpful specially for businesses when regards to security purposes. This can be also use a gate pass for schools and company.
Living in the modern world full of technology, maybe in the future, this can be use for payments. Just like in the move In Time 🙂
Hi John, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech! Great idea to have facial identification be a passkey for schools and businesses. Using it for payments is also a brilliant idea. I would want to make sure, however, that the technology was extremely secure, however, before using it for payments. I don’t have an identical twin so if the technology is extremely accurate, I wouldn’t have to worry about PIN’s or passwords ever again!
Hi Carolyn,
I guess Facedeals will not be a great deal for those who are not ready to be tracked.We are humans not machines which has to be tracked down and be in watch everytime just for a special deal when we check in somewhere.
Most of the people like to be conservative when it comes to be identifiable in public.
Although this app will be a great deal in tracking down the criminals but i don’t know criminals are dumb enough to try this app to track themselves and easily get caught.
Hi Aditya, Interesting point, this technology can be helpful to a store’s security in identifying shoppers and, possibly criminals. Could Facedeals also serve as an alibi for someone who is accused of a crime? See Dino Dogan’s article “Why FourSquare Will Never Be Admissible in Court” http://diyblogger.net/why-foursquare-will-never-be-admissible-in-court
Hi Carolyn,
Just read the post you have mentioned above,i guess the main problem here is no one will consider these services unless brought up with some added features which provide some sort of security and privacy atleast.
Hi Carolyn,
Happy to be back after so many days :).
It is creepy and intrusive. Reminds me of minority report. I think there needs to be a line where people are not allowed to access our data , take our pictures etc. I have heard about some laws which allow people control over their online properties. It will be good because then sites and marketing companies would have to place systems where someone could ask for deletion of the data.
That would prevent the damages from accidental or intended posting of data, opinions and views.
Hope you are having a great time 🙂
Hi Ashvini, yes, this technology is creepy to some but the poll responses are very mixed. The good news about Facedeals is that it’s opt-in so you don’t have to use it if you don’t want to.
So glad to have you back, Ashvini! (*)
Its cool and creepy at the same time. Cool to see technology going the step further but obviously a little creepy. Its like somebody watching you all the time. There are better ways to recognize a person and maybe the deals can be sent to your mobile. And what happens with twins? 😉
Hi Hajra, Great point, Facedeals might be very confused by identical twins. There recently was an Android phone that used facial identification instead of passwords. Hackers proved very quickly that a picture of the owner could fool the phone.
I think recognizing customers from their credit/debit card at the checkout and offering a deal might work better. This concept is totally creepy, it is not much useful it can be used in other ways.
Hi Carlos, You’re not alone, many other readers agree with you. I wonder if the deals were really great, how many people will sign up for it?
Totally creepy.
Don’t get me wrong, I am all pro – progress, but I can not see the advantages of ‘checking in’ to a store and to get tailored offers. The fun part should be finding something unexpected.
Apart from it being intrusive, it also affects my FaceBook contacts. They did not ask for them to be monitored to. I am sure there is going to be a little checkbox ‘somewhere’ in the settings where you can turn this feature off, but how many people will go to all the trouble of finding that option.
As everyone else has opined in this post comments, I too feel it a lot creepy to have someone looking over my shoulder and get to know about me in public places.
Where are we even going with this technological advancements? I really do not care if I do not get that deal, i would pay for my drink and get the hell out of such places 🙂
Hi Praveen, Great question. Not all tech advances are for the better. As a society we need to decide which advances are best and which are unacceptable. The poll results are quite mixed, showing that Wonder of Tech readers don’t all agree as to whether the sacrifice in privacy is worth the savings. As least this is an opt-in app.