The Visidon app, which requires Android 2.3 and upwards on the host device, is 5.8MB large and has the interesting fail-safe of allowing the owner to key in an override failsafe if the facial recognition option does not trigger – as sometimes happens with false negatives.
The software requires a smartphone or tablet with a front-facing camera to operate, but an any-camera version is in the works, and which will reportedly seal a bug which can – under some circumstances – allow the app's security to be bypassed.
According to the TalkAndroid newswire, this is an app worth keeping an eye on though because it will get refined.
"As it gets refined I would like to see the option to be able to not just limit it to apps, but have a choice to lock your entire phone. This way everything is locked. I can see why this will not be an option for now, since some bugs need to be worked out", says the newswire.
"I also like this concept for not just privacy from the people around you, but for losing your phone. Yes, you can install apps that let you wipe your phone, but this makes more sense", adds the newswire.
"If nobody can get in your phone that is the best way. You may not even realise instantly that you lost your phone, not to mention you may not even remember the command you have to text to your phone to lock or wipe it", the newswire notes.
Visidon has posted a video of its app being installed and in action on YouTube.