Apple has received a new patent related to Face ID, which is a biometric user authentication system. The patent details next-generation face recognition technology that uses a face heat mapping.
Most smartphones nowadays use biometric face and fingerprint authentication. Apple has long used Face ID to recognize users by their faces, but the new version of the technology will be very difficult to fool.
A major drawback with existing technologies is that glasses, face masks, and even hair can potentially interfere with the authentication process. The description of the new patent states that the next-generation facial recognition system will use heat from the user’s face.
This means that in the future, each person’s unique thermal signature will be used to unlock Apple devices. This should allow Apple to continue to use Face ID, which has become quite impractical amid the pandemic, when everyone is forced to wear masks and take them off for facial recognition or enter a password on the screen.
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iPhone 13 with sub-screen Touch ID this year, foldable iPhone also in the works
A new report from Bloomberg recently sheds more light on what to expect from the iPhone update this year. The report states that Apple “isn’t planning any major changes” for the 2021 iPhone 13.
The iPhone 13 or iPhone 12S models planned for this year are unlikely to feature any major design changes, as the 2020 iPhone models marked a major technological and design overhaul. Apple engineers would consider the 2021 iPhones to be an “S” version of the 2020 models.
The big change is that Apple is testing support for an in-display Touch ID reader for the iPhone 2021. Touch ID would be available in addition to Face ID and would be convenient for iPhone users who cannot unlock their iPhones when using masks.
Bloomberg writes that Apple has “discussed removing the charging port for certain iPhone models in favor of wireless charging”. It is not known if this change will be on the iPhone 13; or if Apple will keep it for a future model.
Also, speaking of the foldable iPhone, Bloomberg thinks you shouldn’t expect a foldable iPhone just yet. Apple’s main focus is on updates to its iPhone and iPad coming in 2021. But, the company is also working on the foldable model.
Finally, the report also mentions that AirTags are still on track for release this year. Apple was initially planning to launch them at the same time as the iPhone 12.
