( CNN ) -- Smartphones are powerful tools , and with the right apps and accessories , they can become even more so . A California-based tech company has launched a tool that turns a regular iPhone 4 or 4S into a powerful biometrics scanning tool . AOptix has unveiled its app and a wrap-around device for turning the smartphone into a portable iris , face , fingerprint and voice scanner . The hardware and software system , the first of its kind for the iPhone , is called AOptix Stratus , which comprises both the iOS app â€ ” which will cost $ 199 â€ ” and a wrap around device for an iPhone 4 or 4S . The app uses the iPhone camera to snap pictures of faces and record voices , while there 's an extra camera that does iris scanning and a small sensor to scan fingerprints . AOptix will also release a software development kit to its customers so they can customize the app to their own needs . In February , the Department of Defense paid AOptix $ 3 million to develop an enhanced solution using the tool that 's being launched today . See also : The ingenious refocusing camera . The idea behind this system is to make biometrics recognition easier and mobile . Think of a border protection agency that could use iris recognition at an airport 's customs checkpoint , or a police or law enforcement agency that needs to verify identities on the go and ca n't afford large , cumbersome hardware to do so . That 's where Stratus comes in . Making the system work on an iPhone makes everything easier . `` If you used an iPhone before , you can use this , '' said AOptix 's Director of Product Marketing Joey Pritikin . In a teleconference demonstration , Pritikin showed how the system works . The user inserts the iPhone in the device , plugging it in using the 30-pin connector , and then launches the app . The app interface is user-friendly and simple , and lets the user register the biometrics of the person in front of him with relative ease . Using an iPhone also lets the app register GPS coordinates and transmit all the data through the phone 's mobile Internet connection . The app is designed to help the user determine the distance at which to stand in front of the other person and automatically takes a picture when the subject is in the right range . This automatic capture works both with the iPhone camera and with the built-in iris scanner . All pictures taken are stored and easily accessible within the app . The app allows the user to create a person 's profile including his or her iris , face , voice , fingerprints and biographical information . This trove of data is then accessible with the tap of a finger . See also : $ 30 gadget lets your eyes take control . Pritikin explained that when they started working on the project , they had to decide whether they wanted to use an off-the-shelf product like the iPhone , or develop their own , perhaps using a platform like Android . But they eventually settled on the iPhone for various reasons . `` It is very secure as a platform , which is , naturally , important to our customers , '' he said . `` [ It is ] very stable , you can buy the same device globally . They have a very strong ecosystem for supporting accessories like the one we created . '' Pritikin declined to say how much the device costs , stressing the fact that it is not a consumer product but , rather , it is intended for companies or government agencies . Stratus could be used at border crossings , during disaster relief operations ( when regular infrastructure for identity verification is n't present ) , for remote mobile banking or even remote healthcare . Countries like India , which is deploying national ID programs to give every citizen a unique number linked to biometric data ( PDF ) , could also be target customers . See also : Print a life-size robot for under $ 1,000 . Asked if there 's any country AOptix would refuse to sell their products to , given that they could be used for surveillance and profiling , Pritikin answered that his company follows the guidelines of the U.S. Department of Commerce and wo n't export their products to countries like Iran or North Korea . Pritikin declined to identify specific customers who have already bought Stratus , but said that the first shipments will be at the end of April . © 2013 MASHABLE.com . All rights reserved .
California tech company launches biometric app and scanning tool for iPhone . The new app, called Biometric ID Pro, is designed to help users identify themselves by using a unique fingerprint or facial image that can be scanned with the phone's camera. Developers hope police , border agencies and airport customs authorities could all benefit from the technology .