For the Music Lovers in All of Us

Looks like Sony Ericsson is becoming psychic for the on-the-go music fan -- the company recently announced a patent that enables mobile music applications to not only be controlled by facial recognition according to 'visual mood analysis', but also create playlists based on these readings.

As a recent SlashGear post explains, "The system could either recognize moods by spotting particular facial characteristics or by comparing the whole face against presets; alternatively, a hybrid of the two might be applied."

If I stub my toe, my phone is ready to commiserate and play some Sarah MacLachlan. If I'm ready to celebrate the great weather expected in San Francisco next week and the camera catches my grinning face, perhaps U2's "Beautiful Day" will pop on. I like these possibilities.

Not sure that will tear me away from my love for the iPhone (or my excitement for its upcoming rebirth), but awesome technology nonetheless.