In the week after FinovateEurope, I've been keeping track of press coverage from the conference. The media has generated a lot of buzz* about ETRONIKA's use of Microsoft Kinect for online banking.

ETRONIKA, a Lithuanian startup, uses Kinect technology to provide users access to their online bank account via face and voice recognition, followed by a PIN number. After logging in, clients can navigate the system using voice commands and sweeping hand gestures.

Because this was the first time the Finovate team had ever seen this type of unique financial technology, we eagerly awaited seeing the demo. On the rehearsal day before the show, the microphones interfered with the voice recognition feature**. We sweated it out as the audio/visual team adjusted their equipment to minimize the echo caused by the large auditorium.

When ETRONIKA stepped up to the stage on the day of the conference, all fingers were crossed. Fortunately, the technology worked (almost) flawlessly, and the startup was able to share its unique technology with the audience.

ETRONIKA's demo video will be posted on the Finovate website in a few weeks.

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*Press coverage includes:

Beginning the second session this morning, ETRONIKA showed how users can interact with their online bank in a new way:

"We often hear that we live in a world full of impossible. Trapped inside little boxes, filled with needless habits that aren't necessary anymore. It doesn't have to be that way. Technology has advanced so much, so when we can speak with our PCs, why do we bother to type? Yes, financial institutions and online banking solutions refer to a serious, unshakable, respectable realm, but we want to challenge this point of view by introducing a new UX approach to financial online services. ETRONIKA introduces a financial application that recognizes your face, congratulates you, analyzes your voice to identify you, and navigates you into online banking. You choose what is most convenient for you at that time: using your voice, motion-activated user interface, or keyboard - if you feel old-fashioned."

Product Launched: 2Q, 2012

Presenting Kestutis Gardziulis (CEO) & Jelena Kravcenko (Analyst)

Right now, over three dozen leading fintech companies, both hot young startups and established players, are gearing up to demo their latest innovations at the second annual FinovateEurope next February 7th in London.

To whet your appetite, we asked each handpicked company to provide a sneak peek of what it will be demoing on stage. Below is the first installment. We'll have another installment next week.

Don't miss your chance to see fast-paced demos of the newest ideas from each company and meet the execs responsible for the cutting-edge of innovation in financial and banking technology. Plus get your FinovateEurope ticket before December 23rd and you'll lock in the early-bird price!