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Forget Google Earth and Maps, Google now has Tool for the Human Anatomy

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Google Earth and Google Maps have long helped been helping people search for and map streets, towns and even the universe and its oceans. Now the company is looking to do the same thing on a more micro level.

It may sound a bit strange, but Google on Thursday launched tool to provide users with a layered, 3D view of the human anatomy. Called Body Browser, the new feature uses zoom and pan controls, much like those in Google Earth and Google Maps, to explore the internals of the human body.

Body Browser, developed in Google Labs, does not run on just any browser. Users will need a browser that supports the new WebGL graphics standard. Those include Google Chrome and the latest Firefox beta.

The feature is designed to let users identify various parts of the human body, while also search for bones, organs and muscles. It also lets users rotate a 3D image of the body, peel away skin and investigate the different layers inside.

The new feature comes after Google Earth and Google Maps has become some of the company’s most popular features.

In 2009, the company updated Google Earth to enable users to get a much more detailed digital look at the planet’s oceans, as well as to add a 3D map of Mars.

For the Mars map, Google collaborated with NASA to get high-resolution imagery.

Facebook Adds Facial Recognition to Photo Tagging

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Facebook this week made the process of tagging multiple photos a bit easier by adding facial recognition technology.

Going forward, Facebook will examine newly uploaded photos and compare them to other photos in which you or your friends are tagged in order to make tagging suggestions.

“When you or a friend upload new photos, we use face recognition software—similar to that found in many photo editing tools—to match your new photos to other photos you’re tagged in,” Facebook said in a blog post. “We group similar photos together and, whenever possible, suggest the name of the friend in the photos.”

Facebook photo facial recognition

If the prospect of having yourself tagged in dozens of photos across Facebook makes you cringe, Facebook said you can opt out of facial recognition. Under “Customize Settings,” uncheck “Suggest photos of me to friends.” Your name will no longer be suggested in photo tags, though friends can still tag you manually (and you can promptly untag).

“Now if you upload pictures from your cousin’s wedding, we’ll group together pictures of the bride and suggest her name. Instead of typing her name 64 times, all you’ll need to do is click ‘Save’ to tag all of your cousin’s pictures at once,” Facebook said. “By making tagging easier than before, you’re more likely to know right away when friends post photos. We notify you when you’re tagged, and you can untag yourself at any time. As always, only friends can tag each other in photos.”

The feature will debut in the U.S. in the next few weeks; look for tag suggestions when you upload photos.

Facebook started a limited test of facial recognition technology in July. In October, the social-networking site revamped its photo options, significantly improving the size of photos that can be stored on the site, and updating the tagging and viewing processes.