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Apple is believed to be working on redesigned versions of the iMac that feature the biggest design overhaul to the iMac line since 2012. However, Apple's Face ID facial recognition authentication system is likely to feature in the second iteration of the redesign rather than the first, which is due this year, according to a new report today by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

FaceID-iMac-REREREREMIX.jpg

The tidbit came at the end of a report today about a forthcoming redesign of the MacBook Air. In addition, the report highlights Apple's intention to launch a slew of updates to its Mac lineup that reflect the desires of the Mac's staunchest supporters, with the introduction of new ports, slots, and cellular connectivity.
Apple has also developed underlying Mac support for both cellular connectivity — the ability for Macs to connect to the internet via smartphone networks — and Face ID, the company's facial recognition system. But neither feature appears to be coming soon. To that end, Face ID had originally been planned to arrive in this year's iMac redesign, but it's now unlikely to be included in the first iteration of the new design.
Face ID debuted in 2018's iPhone X and has been a tentpole feature of Apple's flagship iPhones ever since, with the iPad Pro also gaining the facial recognition system. Speculation that Apple will bring Face ID to Macs isn't new, however rumors have been few and far between, which makes Gurman's information worth highlighting.

Apple's Face ID feature that allows a device to be unlocked with a facial scan is limited to the iPhone and the iPad at the current time, but code found in the macOS Big Sur betas has suggested that Face ID may come to Macs in the future.

According to previous Bloomberg reports, the redesigned iMac models will feature slimmed down bezels around the display and the metal chin will be removed. It is expected to look quite similar to the Pro Display XDR monitor that Apple released in 2019.

Instead of a curved rear design, the iMacs will feature a flat back, and prior rumors have described the new iMacs as using an "iPad Pro design language." At least one of the new models that will replace the 21.5 and 27-inch models will measure in at 23 to 24 inches, but it's not clear what size the second iMac will be.

A 23 or 24 inch iMac would probably be the same size as the current 21.5-inch iMac physically, with the larger display enabled through smaller bezels. A new iMac with a fresh design and an Apple Silicon chip could come in the first half of this year.

The redesigned iMacs will adopt Apple silicon chips, and the revamped look will coincide with Apple's move to shift away from Intel's chips, giving the iMacs updated processors and a fresh design all at once.

Apple plans to equip the new iMacs with next-generation versions of the Apple silicon chips that will be faster and with more GPU power. Apple is testing Apple silicon chips with as many as 16 power cores and four efficiency cores, but higher-end desktop models could have as many as 32 high-performance cores. Apple is also working on improved GPU technology and is testing 16 and 32-core graphics components.

The new iMacs are expected be released in spring to fall 2021, and it's not yet clear if both models will come out at the same time.

Article Link: Bloomberg: Face ID for iMac Likely Pushed Back to Second Iteration of Upcoming Redesign
 
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Very disappointing. All these years they've taken to redesign the iMac, and then they will intentionally knee-cap it with no FaceID in order to drum up the gen-2 model. Not surprising as that is typical Apple.

FaceID would work the best in an iMac because it is always in the proper position and has no ability to receive Touch ID.

I was really planning to upgrade to these new iMacs, but I might wait FaceID out. That was the biggest feature I was looking forward to in the new designs.
 
That’s unfortunate; I’m betting a lot of people were looking forward to desktop Face-ID almost more than the redesign itself. Still, the keyword there is “almost,” so I’m sure they’ll be popular machines nonetheless.

This does raise an interesting question for MacBook plus external monitor users like myself though: will that theorized cheaper Apple display also not have Face-ID? On the one hand, Apple monitors have feature parity with iMac displays, and in this case the iMacs they’ll likely be released alongside won’t have Face-ID. On the other hand, they’re not refreshed often, so there may not be a 2nd monitor released when the 2nd generation Apple Silicon iMacs come out.
 
I always wondered why laptops have no mobile connectivity build in
I think this will start trending... why... I think Apple love the idea of monthly pricing especially as their products are gradually increasing in price... and why they now offer monthly pricing directly from Apple themselves.

With this in mind, encouraging Mac sales from network carriers will ultimately lead to more units sold etc...

This is also part of the reasoning with why they are starting to market the iPad a laptop replacement as they have a cellular option.
 
Why is it a problem? The iMac is basically going to be a giant iPad on a stick as it is.
What makes you think that it's a problem? They could've done it 4 years ago, but... why would they? They'll have enough "new" features to sell this year and they'll make next year all about face id. That's a genius marketing move.
 
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Why is it a problem? The iMac is basically going to be a giant iPad on a stick as it is.
It’s likely not a problem of whether they can introduce Face ID but whether they want to and have nothing to market the following years iteration. Apple never puts all their eggs (features) in one basket (product) even when they technically easily could. “Make em’ wait an extra year for that one” - Marketing Dep probably
 
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