This article may contain affiliate links. Learn more on our Partner Program page.
Apple is expected to introduce the iPhone 13 series next month. Now YouTuber and leaker Jon Prosser has spoken out. According to his sources, Apple could add a new feature to Face ID.
Jon Prosser claims in a new report that Apple could implement an improved version of Face ID in the iPhone 13. In fact, it is supposed to be a major upgrade that will be a big help to most users. Prosser according to Internal sources report that the iPhone 13 will have an improved Face ID facial recognition sensor that is configured to detect a match even when people are wearing a mask and/or glasses. He adds that Apple employees have specifically tested the feature when wearing masks and glasses in combination.
Internally, Apple employees are being asked to wear masks and goggles to test the new hardware. Some tests are being done with masks on/without masks. Others are being done with goggles on/off while wearing a mask. From what we're told, the testing goes pretty in-depth, with multiple indoor and outdoor tests involving all kinds of goggles and masks.
One option would be for Apple to specifically adapt its Face ID neural network to identify people based on the parts of their face that aren't visible. Given Face ID's importance as a biometric security alternative to a password, this effort could be particularly challenging.
iPhone 13: New Face ID feature could be added later
But what exactly does that mean? In other words, the iPhone 13 could be introduced and delivered with new hardware without initially mentioning the feature. If it is not ready by the time of its debut, Apple could add or activate the whole thing at a later date via an update. Since wearing masks has become established in our everyday lives due to the COVID-19 pandemic, such an extension of Face ID would definitely be helpful. Currently, iPhone users who wear an Apple Watch can optionally bypass Face ID by using the Apple Watch on their wrist to identify them. But Apple Pay payments cannot be made in this way. In addition, not every iPhone user has an Apple Watch. Therefore, as already mentioned above, many users will certainly be happy about such a feature. (Photo by Unsplash / DuoNguyen)
