Tag: Face ID

As previously rumored, Apple officially unveiled the iPhone 16e, a new entry-level model with a new name, today (February 20th), joining the iPhone 16 series family. It is also the first iPhone to use Apple's self-developed 5G connectivity chip, the Apple C1. In terms of design, the iPhone 16e is clearly the previously rumored "fourth-generation iPhone SE," but its name has been changed to iPhone 16e to align with its inclusion in the iPhone 16 series. The design features a flat screen and right-angled frame, and an action button has been added above the volume buttons on the left side, allowing users to customize the operation. The phone also features satellite connectivity. However, unlike the iPhone 16 series, the iPhone 16e does not have a camera button on the lower right side. The screen also retains the notch design and Face ID facial recognition interface from the iPhone 14 series, and does not include the Dynamic Island interface that was fully introduced in the iPhone 15 series. This also means that iPhone models after the iPhone 16e will no longer use the Touch ID fingerprint recognition interface, and the long-used Lightning connector design has also ended. In terms of hardware specifications, the iPhone 16e features a 6.1-inch display screen, supports IP68 water and dust resistance, and is protected by Apple's Ceramic Shield glass. The bottom connector uses the USB-C standard. The phone is available in black and white, and Apple also offers a variety of colored cases. Storage options include 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB. The iPhone 16e, featuring Apple's own 5G connectivity chip, is the first to feature Apple's in-house developed 5G data chip. However, expectations are that the partnership with Qualcomm will change. While the iPhone 16e uses the same A18 processor as the iPhone 16 and supports "Apple Intelligence" services, meaning its memory capacity is also above 8GB, and it's the first to use Apple's own 2G connectivity chip, the Apple C1, suggesting that the cooperation between Apple and Qualcomm will gradually weaken, even in the new iPhones to be released this fall...

Reports indicate that Apple's upcoming spring release of the new iPhone SE may be referred to as the iPhone 16E, and will likely only offer white and black color options. The current iPhone SE, released in 2022, primarily maintains a similar design to the iPhone 8, retains the Touch ID fingerprint sensor, and focuses on upgrades to the processor and camera. Previous rumors suggest the upcoming iPhone SE will be based on the iPhone 14 design, switching to a USB-C connection and replacing Touch ID with Face ID facial recognition, bringing the overall user experience closer to current mainstream iPhone models. The screen will also be upgraded to an OLED display. However, unlike previous iPhone SE models which were positioned as a separate product line, if this one is indeed renamed iPhone 16E as rumored, it means Apple plans to integrate this model into its mainstream iPhone lineup, replacing previous models as entry-level options. This might also indicate an adjustment in Apple's product sales strategy, potentially using the iPhone SE (or iPhone 16E) as a new entry-level choice and reducing the time previous models spent on the market. As for pricing, the suggested retail price of the new iPhone SE will start at $499, an increase of $70 compared to previous models. This increase may reflect the upgraded screen specifications, increased memory to 8GB (with "Apple Intelligence" service), and the increased costs associated with using the same A18 processor and 4800MP camera lens as the iPhone 16 series. Additionally, Apple may choose to test its first in-house 5G connectivity chip in the new iPhone SE, which could also contribute to the higher price.

Reuters reports that the European Union may approve Apple's revised plan to open up the iPhone's built-in NFC functionality as early as May, allowing more companies to more easily create NFC-enabled applications. Earlier this year, the European Commission and Apple reached an agreement for Apple to revise its approach to allowing the use of NFC on iOS devices, enabling more third-party mobile payment and e-wallet services to conduct transactions via NFC on iPhones. This agreement will last for 10 years and will be subject to third-party oversight of Apple's implementation. While Apple has long allowed developers to use the iPhone's NFC functionality, stringent conditions have often been imposed for financial transactions, making it difficult for most third-party e-wallets and mobile payment services to conduct transactions via the iPhone's built-in NFC, limiting them to methods such as QR codes. Since 2020, when the conditions for allowing the use of the iPhone's built-in NFC were questioned as being too stringent, leading to an investigation by the European Commission, the initial assessment is that Apple's significant influence in the mobile device market has resulted in Apple Pay becoming the only service on iPhones that can complete payments via NFC, thus constituting a monopoly. Therefore, in the subsequent agreement with Apple, Apple agreed to allow third-party mobile payment and e-wallet providers to access the iPhone's built-in NFC function, enabling payments to be made via NFC, similar to Apple Pay. According to Reuters, EU antitrust regulators could approve Apple's revised plan to open up the iPhone's built-in NFC function as early as May. This means that Apple will not only complete its agreement with the EU but also allow more applications and services to be used through the iPhone's built-in NFC function, especially third-party payment services, no longer exclusively available through Apple Pay. The agreement between Apple and the EU will last for 10 years and allows users to use Face ID as an authentication method for third-party payment services, even allowing users to set third-party payment services as their default option. However, it is not yet confirmed whether this adjustment by Apple will still only apply to iPhone devices sold within the EU or will allow global use.

South Korean media outlet The Elec, citing sources, reports that LG Innotek's under-display camera design may prompt Apple to release an iPhone with a more complete screen design. The report states that LG Innotek plans to use a special freeform surface optical multi-lens system, combined with LG Display's design to improve the light transmittance of the display panel, to reduce distortion in under-display camera images. This would also meet the accuracy requirements of Apple's Face ID facial recognition, allowing Apple to achieve its goal of releasing an iPhone with a more complete screen design. However, under-display camera technology still has many areas that need improvement, particularly in image quality and brightness. Even with continued efforts from brands like Samsung and Nubia, ideal results have not yet been achieved. The market believes that once Apple also invests in this market demand, it will accelerate the development of under-display camera technology and facilitate its widespread adoption. LG plans to increase the light transmittance of its under-display camera design from 23% in 2023 to 40% in 2024, which is about double the previous year's figure. If the light transmittance can be further improved, the iPhone model launched as early as 2025 may hide the camera under the screen and display the user's required functions or view the screen with a more complete screen design.

MacRumors, citing sources, reports that Apple's upcoming iPhone SE will be based on the iPhone 14 design, featuring a Face ID facial recognition system with a notch-style TrueDepth lens. The main camera will remain a single lens, but will be upgraded to 4800 megapixels. Adopting the iPhone 14 design means the screen size will increase again, and the Touch ID fingerprint sensor will be removed, indicating that future iPhones will primarily use Face ID for unlocking and authentication. Furthermore, the body is expected to adopt a right-angled edge design, and the bottom port may follow the iPhone 15 series, switching to USB-C, but possibly only maintaining USB 2.0. Additionally, the Action Button found on the iPhone 15 Pro and later models is expected to appear on the new iPhone SE. However, there were previous reports that the new iPhone SE would retain the iPhone 8's design and possibly still include Touch ID. Apple might adjust the design to make the new iPhone SE more similar to the new iPhone models, offering a comparable user experience and attracting consumers with a more affordable price. A more significant design feature of the new iPhone SE is likely the adoption of Apple's long-rumored in-house 5G chip, used to gauge market response and verify Apple's in-house R&D capabilities. If all goes as expected, Apple could launch the new iPhone SE as early as spring 2024, possibly following past practice by announcing it directly through an online press release rather than a special event.

The Financial Times reports that Bionaut Labs, the team behind Apple's Face ID facial recognition system, is now working on miniature robots that could be used to treat brain diseases. Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, Bionaut Labs was founded in January 2016 by Michael Shpigelmacher and Aviad Maizels. Maizels previously founded PrimeSense in 2005, whose technology was used in products such as Microsoft's Kinect motion-sensing camera. PrimeSense was acquired by Apple in 2013 for $360 million and its technology was used to develop the Face ID facial recognition system later used in iPhones and iPads. Bionaut Labs has now secured $43.2 million in its second round of funding, led by venture capital firm Khosla Ventures. This funding will support Bionaut Labs' development of miniature robots for treating brain diseases, and the company plans to demonstrate their safety and effectiveness through initial clinical trials. These miniature robots will be controlled by magnets and can enter the human brain in miniature to deliver drugs directly into the brain, thereby treating brain tumors or rare neurological diseases in children, and even improving brain-related diseases such as Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and stroke.

In his "Power on" column, Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman argues that Apple's Touch ID fingerprint recognition design, used in the iPhone 5, iPhone 6, and even the recently released iPhone SE, is unlikely to return to its main iPhone models anytime soon, and may not even be considered for a relaunch. Currently, Apple uses Face ID facial recognition in its mainstream iPhones. While the new iPhone SE and iPad Air retain Touch ID, Apple will likely continue to rely primarily on Face ID in the future. Although Apple has internally discussed re-implementing Touch ID in mainstream iPhones and even tested under-display fingerprint recognition, it ultimately failed to meet Apple's expectations. They even tested integrating Touch ID with the power button, similar to the new iPad Air, but still have no plans to use it in future mainstream iPhones. In future designs, Apple will likely maintain Face ID, primarily due to its higher stability and security, although it does have drawbacks, such as poor lighting affecting facial recognition performance. However, Apple is expected to continue adjusting the efficiency and accuracy of Face ID recognition, while also strengthening its security. On the other hand, Apple will obviously not abandon the Touch ID design, but it will only be used in entry-level iPhones and mainstream iPad models, and may be integrated into the power button design.

Apple has released the official updates for iOS 15.4, iPadOS 15.4, and macOS Monterey 12.3, which were teased last week. iOS 15.4 will be available for iPhone 6s and later models, but the Face ID facial recognition unlocking feature, which allows users to unlock their devices while wearing a mask, is only available on iPhone 12 and later models. iPadOS 15.4 is compatible with the new iPad Pro, as well as the second-generation iPad Air, fourth-generation iPad mini, and fifth-generation iPad. macOS Monterey 12.3 is compatible with iMacs released after the second half of 2015, iMac Pros released after 2017, Mac Pros released after the second half of 2013, Mac Minis released after the second half of 2014, MacBook Pros released after early 2015, MacBook Airs released after early 2015, and MacBook Airs released after early 2016. The ability to unlock with facial recognition while wearing a mask is only available on iPhone 12 and later models. The main update in iOS 15.4 is the addition of facial recognition for unlocking directly through the Face ID interface when the user is wearing a mask. However, this feature is only available on iPhone 12 and later models...

Reports indicate that Apple will adjust its repair process for Face ID malfunctions, allowing official and third-party repair shops to replace specific components instead of replacing the entire device. According to a memo obtained by MacRumors, purportedly from within Apple, future repairs for Face ID malfunctions will focus on replacing Face ID-related components or the TrueDepth camera module, replacing the entire device as before. This means consumers will no longer need to back up their data before sending their phones in for repairs. This approach is expected to reduce the number of replacements, minimize parts waste, and lower repair costs. However, the memo does not disclose whether the change will affect repair time or costs. This new repair method only applies to iPhone XS and later models; models before the iPhone X will likely continue with the existing repair method.

While many anticipated Apple following the Android camp by incorporating under-display fingerprint recognition into the new iPhones, allowing users to verify their identity via fingerprint pressure, reports suggest that Apple has abandoned this design and will instead rely on Face ID for facial recognition. These reports also indicate that Apple did research the feasibility of under-display fingerprint technology in the past, but it apparently failed to meet Apple's design requirements, leading to a shift in focus towards Face ID. Currently, in the iOS 15.4 beta version, Apple allows users to identify themselves directly by recognizing facial features around the eyes while wearing a mask, making phone unlocking easier. Clearly, Face ID will remain the primary method for future identity verification. While Touch ID fingerprint recognition won't be abandoned, it may only remain available on the iPhone SE, some iPads, and Macs. Face ID will continue to be used on major iPhone models, allowing users to unlock devices via facial recognition. While Apple explains that Face ID's accuracy is significantly reduced when wearing a mask, it clearly believes this method is more secure and intuitive than fingerprint recognition. However, many still hope Apple will introduce in-display fingerprint recognition, allowing new iPhones to unlock directly with fingerprints like previous models, or use contactless payment functions. While in-display fingerprint recognition, commonly used on Android phones, is convenient under normal circumstances, it can be affected by oily or dirty fingers, potentially impacting accuracy and forcing users to still use passwords or image verification. This may be why Apple hasn't considered using in-display fingerprint recognition yet. As for the market's expectation that Apple will eliminate the notch design through an under-display camera, given the current less-than-ideal performance of under-display camera designs, Apple is unlikely to consider adopting this approach. As for whether to consider adopting a punch-hole screen design or a narrower bezel design, it obviously depends on whether the TrueDepth camera module used in the current Face ID design can be miniaturized; otherwise, the next iPhone will still maintain the "notch" design.