The battle between Apple and Google for world phone domination is pretty full-on at the moment, and so it's natural that they both should be using some pretty similar cutting-edge features in their software. It would seem that Apple is now looking at integrating facial recognition into iOS as a method of unlocking a device, according to a patent it recently filed, Apple Insider reports.
The facial recognition unlock was seen in Ice Cream Sandwich, the latest version of Google's Android operating system -- although it's not without its flaws.
Apple's patent shows a system of cameras that recognise when your face is in the frame. The technology could set up the device for your user profile, so could work with multiple accounts on the same device. Apple claims it's different to previous incarnations of facial unlocking: "robust" ones that use so much processing power they slow your phone right to a halt, and security ones too picky about getting the lighting exactly right.
Apple could apply the technology to a huge range of products, as it lists it as being suitable to work on "smart phones, tablets computers, laptops and the like." Anything with a front-facing camera, really.
Of course, Apple could integrate it into its forthcoming TV, meaning you could unlock it just by looking. And then control it by speaking and waving your hands around, of course. Now that really would be the "simplest user interface you could imagine," as Steve Jobs said.
Google's own facial unlock came in for some criticism when it was revealed it could be bypassed by using a photo of a face. Google then referred to it as a 'low security' option.
Is unlocking a device using facial recognition a good idea? Have you used it on Ice Cream Sandwich? Let us know below, or on Facebook.
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Comments 7
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shauney3 30 December, 2011 17:14
REALLY hope they can't patient this, Apple are such hypocrites, suing everyone for copying them, and then they go and copy everyone else!
anonymous 30 December, 2011 18:40
A patent is a complex entity - this may mean something very different from what the title implies.... the method and claims within the patent need to be understood before drawing conclusions
ace9988 30 December, 2011 19:15
ok lets make one thing clear....as far as the patent goes, Apple applied for this in june 2010. The papers just got released now and it's still a pending patent. But yh I can see a lawsuit coming towards android
anonymous 30 December, 2011 22:08
I wonder if its especially designed to read the faces of bearded nerds
Peter Frost 31 December, 2011 02:59
apple, you disgust me. with steve jobs, you were pretty good, inventive and new what you were doing, to a point. without him, you're just plain old trying too hard. go away and find another prodigal son to lift you out of this mess you find yourself in.
anonymous 1 January, 2012 18:22
Actually, it is Steve's fault that apple are showing their true evil colours. He swore to destroy android. I personally, have taken an oath to never support apple in any way.
Rich Trenholm 3 January, 2012 10:05
I wouldnt worry too much about this, guys. As the picture makes clear, it only works for people who have no noses.