Apple's 'iPhone 8' May Mute Notification Sounds When the User is Looking at the Screen

[MacRumors]

The HomePod firmware that Apple pushed out to public servers over a week ago continues to reveal tantalizing tidbits of information about unannounced Apple hardware, and this time the plaudits go to iOS developer Guilherme Rambo for discovering lines of code that suggest the upcoming "iPhone 8" will automatically suppress notification sounds when a user is looking at the screen.

What @jsnell talked about on the last @_upgradefm is true: the iPhone will suppress notification sounds if you're looking at it pic.twitter.com/eFzKUfZYDx - Guilherme Rambo (@_inside) August 8, 2017

Apple's redesigned OLED iPhone is believed to include a front-facing 3D sensor capability, likely powered by acquired PrimeSense technology, that enables Apple's new facial authentication feature.

As a possible extension of biometric authentication, the line of code beginning "TLAttentionAwarenessObserver" implies that the same infrared depth sensors may be used to mute audible notifications when the user is giving the phone their full attention and looking directly at the screen. Previously uncovered code within the HomePod firmware suggests the "iPhone 8" will also be able to scan the user's face even while the device is lying flat on a table.

Of course, there's no guarantee that the sound suppression feature will show up in Apple's upcoming OLED iPhone, due to launch next month, but if it does, it's likely to be user-configurable as an Accessibility consideration. If anything it highlights another potential use case for Apple's face detection feature, which could replace Touch ID fingerprint authentication entirely on future iPhones.

While many observers remain skeptical that Touch ID can be replaced by a facial recognition system that's equally secure, rumors have suggested Apple's facial recognition technique captures more data points than a fingerprint scan, making it even more secure than Touch ID.

(Thanks, Dean!)

Article Link: Apple's 'iPhone 8' May Mute Notification Sounds When the User is Looking at the Screen

 

[Hustler1337]

Pretty neat feature, but it's gonna feel weird knowing my iPhone is always watching me. Many apps tend to suppress notification sounds if you have their app open and vibrate lightly instead, but this seems to take it a step further if it's going to be used how I think it is.

Also, I wonder if Apple will implement other face tracking features similar to what Samsung do in their Samsung Galaxy phones with Smart Pause which briefly pauses videos when you're not looking at the device and resumes when you are and their Smart Stay and Smart Scroll features.

 

[YazanShawish]

I hope this scanning feature doesn't affect the battery life :')

 

[fokmik]

this and i think faceID will disable the sound if you look at your phone and in the same time will check if its still you using that phone from time to time,if its not you to auto lock

 

[ILikeAllOS]

This is why Apple always waits until they have perfected something before adding it to the iPhone.
Any other company (like Samsung) would have just added the iris scanner to their phone and then only use it for unlocking the device, but when Apple adds it they also ask themselves "what else can we do with the face scanner?" and now here you go!

Can't wait until they finally show off everything the new iPhone can do!

 

[Sunny1990]

"iPhone 8" will automatically suppress notification sounds when a user is looking at the screen"

This is really a smart feature. i am really amazed how much information we have got from this single homepod firmware.

 

[michael siccofield]

Homepod firmware strikes back.

 

[penajmz]

I love these leaks but hate them at the same time. This would’ve been an awesome announcement nobody was expecting.

 

[blankspace]

This is why Apple always waits until they have perfected something before adding it to the iPhone.

Dude, 90% of the rumors indicates that Apple couldn't wait on the new iPhone so they are ditching touch ID. This is literally the opposite of what you just said on the same damn phone. Don't be naïve, Apple is just as bad if not worse than a lot of manufactures for intentionally gimping things to upsell next year. Look at touch ID and the 5s without NFC.

On another note, this homepod firmware might just be the worst leak related to iPhone in the history of iPhone. Not only do we know the shape, resolution, and pearlID. But even specific features, someone at Apple is getting/got fired for this.

Also I have a question about the lock screen. If it's THIS good at seeing my face, what if I don't want the phone to auto unlock when I look at it? What if I just want to read my notifications... am I going to be able to do that or am I going to always have it unlock for me? Will I need to look at the phone THEN press of the virtual home button? This truly doesn't sound intuitive.

 

[Dave245]

This sounds great, but when will the September event be held that's what I want to know at this point. I think all these leaks are going to add up to a great device when the iPhone 8 is announed and I bet most people will say the same thing!

 

[Delgibbons]

This is why Apple always waits until they have perfected something before adding it to the iPhone.
Any other company (like Samsung) would have just added the iris scanner to their phone and then only use it for unlocking the device, but when Apple adds it they also ask themselves "what else can we do with the face scanner?" and now here you go!

Can't wait until they finally show off everything the new iPhone can do!

Umm....samsung have loads of features for YEARS related to the user looking at the screen

This is from 4 YEARS AGO!

http://www.samsung.com/us/support/answer/ANS00033839/

 

[newyorksole]

I love these leaks but hate them at the same time. This would’ve been an awesome announcement nobody was expecting.

But you still haven't seen the phone or the features demoed on stage so it will STILL be an awesome announcement.

I love seeing everyone's tune change as more things are revealed about the phone.

 

[Zirel]

This is why Apple always waits until they have perfected something before adding it to the iPhone.
Any other company (like Samsung) would have just added the iris scanner to their phone and then only use it for unlocking the device, but when Apple adds it they also ask themselves "what else can we do with the face scanner?" and now here you go!

Can't wait until they finally show off everything the new iPhone can do!

Samsung actually had a function in the S3 (or S4) that let the user scroll a page with his/her eyes, and turned off the screen when the user closed his eyes. Implemented using the front facing camera.

Obviously, huge battery hogs, obviously didn’t work very well, obviously limited practicability.

So they used for marketing purposes, and then they silently removed the feature in the next releases.

 

[Dave245]

Umm....samsung have loads of features for YEARS related to the user looking at the screen

This is from 4 YEARS AGO!

http://www.samsung.com/us/support/answer/ANS00033839/

And they don't work very well at all, I had the S4 and it had similar features, it was so frustrating to use! So much so I soon came running back to the iPhone!

 

[penajmz]

But you still haven't seen the phone or the features demoed on stage so it will STILL be an awesome announcement.

I love seeing everyone's tune change as more things are revealed about the phone.

I know it will be an awesome announcement overall. I was just saying how all these little features would’ve made the announcement even better if we didn’t know them a month ahead.

 

[X--X]

This is why Apple always waits until they have perfected something before adding it to the iPhone.

No they didn't. They JUST bought the finished product (FaceID) in February.

The company was called RealFace and they developed the tech and showed it off here.

And here is their website with more details archived in the Wayback Machine. Apple took it offline.

 

[iHack13]

This is why Apple always waits until they have perfected something before adding it to the iPhone.
Any other company (like Samsung) would have just added the iris scanner to their phone and then only use it for unlocking the device, but when Apple adds it they also ask themselves "what else can we do with the face scanner?" and now here you go!

Can't wait until they finally show off everything the new iPhone can do!

Let's wait and see when it's there. I want to see how this "Touch ID successor" works, with Sunglasses, Hats, Helmets , Skiing. etc.

Then we will know if it made life easier or more difficult.

 

[ACST]

Pretty neat feature, but it's gonna feel weird knowing my iPhone is always watching me. Many apps tend to suppress notification sounds if you have their app open and vibrate lightly instead, but this seems to take it a step further if it's going to be used how I think it is.

Also, I wonder if Apple will implement other face tracking features similar to what Samsung do in their Samsung Galaxy phones with Smart Pause which briefly pauses videos when you're not looking at the device and resumes when you are and their Smart Stay and Smart Scroll features.

It's not watching you, it's using the new IR camera which doesn't actually work like a normal camera.

 

[Delgibbons]

And they don't work very well at all, I had the S4 and it had similar features, it was so frustrating to use! So much so I soon came running back to the iPhone!

Each to their own.

Feature still built into my s7 edge, btw, but turned off by default.

 

[Starfyre]

This is really a smart feature. By the way i am really amazed how much information we have got from this single homepod firmware.

Maybe it's all Homepod marketing for Apple, what better way to get more Homepod press than to bake in a few Easter eggs?

 

[BornAgainMac]

I really want a Homepod now. This product is amazing and informative and it hasn't even shipped yet.

 

[Centris 650]

In September they should just let the homepod introduce the new iPhone.

 

[Cyroceon]

How will facial recognition work in the dark?

 

[69Mustang]

In September they should just let the homepod introduce the new iPhone... AGAIN

Fixed that for ya.

 

[PlainviewX]

How will facial recognition work in the dark?