A TinEye for Image Search
TinEye is an amazing new free visual search engine set to transform the way we think of and use online search tools. Traditionally we use search engines by typing in keywords to find related content in the form of pages, images or videos on the internet. TinEye has reversed this process for images, in that you upload a picture and then TinEye searches for matching images on the net. It’s also available as a plugin for IE and Firefox making searches as simple as a right click. Some people have gone as far to say that TinEye (developed by Idée Inc) has done for photos what Google did for text. The site is still in beta phase although now open to the public. 
TinEye doesn’t search for 100% matches, in fact it can easily find modified images even if inverted, recoloured or only a small portion is used. The applications are endless, for example TinEye can be used to find higher resolution images or similar images if your current image is unsuitable for your intended use. TinEye’s strongest use though probably lies in monitoring use of images across the net. Ever wondered who’s using or stealing your images and where? Designers beware!!
TinEye’s matching abilities are impressive have a look at some of the samples shown. But that is nothing compared to TinEye’s bigger even stronger sibling also from Idee, PixID. It can even go so far as to calculate sub pixel transformational matrices to check how images best align. PixID’s is intended for use by the news and entertainment photo industry for editorial image monitoring in print publications and on the internet. PixID has already signed up a impressive client list to mention a few Digg, Adobe, Agence France-Presse (AFP), Getty Images ect. PixID saves the original owner of images from having to use tags or watermarks to protect or monitor image usage.
Idee is set to revolutionise image searches and image rights protection. Check TinEye out at www.tineye.com
All images sourced from www.TinEye.com
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