Apple, the tech giant is testing a new Face ID hardware for the iPhone 13 lineup that will work with face masks and even foggy glasses, according to a report.
The company’s next-generation facial recognition technology, which was originally rumored to lie beneath a smaller notch, is also said to have a revised selfie camera positioning. This hints that the selfie camera on the iPhone 13 models will be placed differently than on previous iPhone models.
According to sources, Apple has provided its employees with a customized case to use with their iPhone 12 to test the new Face ID array. The case is said to fit snug around the iPhone 12, and once connected, it will use the array for biometric authentication as the default source. This might allow Apple to test the next-generation Face ID hardware on a large scale without bringing the unreleased iPhone 13 out.
Apple is said to have asked participating staff to wear masks and glasses to test the new hardware. The tests are supposed to be done using either masks or both masks and glasses on the face. Apple has also urged staff to test the technology in both indoor and outdoor settings, as well as with a range of masks and eyeglasses.
The goal of this investigation is to see how the new Face ID will function in a scenario where individuals are wearing face masks, which is in accordance with the present pandemic atmosphere and its future consequences on life. Apple did try to address user concerns about using face masks to unlock their iPhones by allowing Apple Watch to be used in that process. The feature, however, makes Apple Watch mandatory and does involve privacy risks as it bypasses biometric authentication altogether.
Face ID on the iPhone 13 is also rumored to have a different sensor design than on current iPhone models. Instead of being on the right side, the selfie camera has been shifted to the left. The earpiece has also been moved to the top of the module, rather than in the middle. These changes could be aimed to help make a narrower notch design in the new iPhone models.
