Code in macOS Big Sur Suggests Face ID Could Be Coming to Macs

[MacRumors]

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 macOS Big Sur suggests that Face ID may come to Macs in the future.

Adding a TrueDepth camera system and Face ID to the Mac would be a logical next step for the feature, and 9to5Mac located Face ID references in the latest Big Sur beta, including an extension with code to support a "PearlCamera" function.

"Pearl" is the codename that Apple has used for Face ID and the TrueDepth camera system since the feature first launched in the iPhone X.

There are "FaceDetect" and "BioCapture" references inside the extension, and those names certainly suggest a TrueDepth camera feature for Mac.

Right now, Apple's MacBook Pro and MacBook Air models use Touch ID, and have a Touch ID button built into the keyboard that's powered by the T2 chips in the machines. Apple's Macs have supported Touch ID since 2016 when the Touch Bar was first introduced in MacBook Pro models.

There's no word on when Macs might get Face ID support or which Macs will be first to get it, but there are some major design tweaks rumored for machines like the iMac, the MacBook Air, and the MacBook Pro with the transition to mini-LED and Apple Silicon chips, so Face ID could be rolled out alongside of these updates.

It could also be a feature that will take longer to implement, and we've thus far heard no confirmed rumors on when Apple might make the transition.

Article Link: Code in macOS Big Sur Suggests Face ID Could Be Coming to Macs

 

[PickUrPoison]

Coming in the new Apple Silicon Macs (only). According to Apple it’ll take about two years to implement across the lineup. Completely expected.

 

[FSMBP]

Did anyone think FaceID wasn't coming to Macs?

 

[newyorksole]

Come onnn redesigned iMac with Apple silicon and Face ID! Cannot wait for this.

 

[DotCom2]

Did anyone think FaceID wasn't coming to Macs?

I'll be waiting...

 

[ThisBougieLife]

Did anyone think FaceID wasn't coming to Macs?

I thought it would be coming to the iMac, but the prevailing argument was always that the MacBook lid is too thin to allow an improved webcam or a FaceID module.

 

[AngerDanger]

Huh, so that mockup looks a little different from what I was imagining, but it's still okay I guess.

It does make sense to start out with the iMac though, given that MacBooks already have built-in keyboards.

It's analogous to the iPhone lineup: TouchID for home button phones, FaceID for buttonless.

 

[dantracht]

A cool idea would be to use an iPhone's current Face ID to unlock a Mac, kind of like how your watch unlocks Mac now.

Just my completely uneducated idea.

 

[Mr. Awesome]

Face ID makes much more sense than Touch ID for the Mac.

 

[luvbug]

This feature addition is basically what will drive my next iMac and/or MacBook Pro purchase. Bring it on!

 

[Morgenland]

Of course it's coming. I've written that in my posts often enough!
Awaiting the new iMac in Q4-2020. Press Space and you're in.

 

[Internet Enzyme]

I thought it would be coming to the iMac, but the prevailing argument was always that the MacBook lid is too thin to allow an improved webcam or a FaceID module.

i’ve never wholly bought that reasoning: I suspect that the true reason is that the Mac never had the Neural Engine before, which is necessary for Face ID

 

[PickUrPoison]

Come onnn redesigned iMac with Apple silicon and Face ID! Cannot wait for this.

iMac will be one of the last to transition, 2022 almost certainly. Maybe the smaller screen model will come out earlier.

 

[Infinite Vortex]

Of course it is… just like iOS is coming to Macs!

 

[Dustman]

I kind of figured that this would be coming. It almost makes sense now why they’ve kept MacBook webcams so crappy, when it would make Face ID cameras shine even more at launch. I don’t agree with stalling incremental upgrades to their hardware because “something really awesome is in the pipeline so it’s worth waiting! trust us!” but as an Apple customer I do understand it.

 

[PickUrPoison]

Of course it's coming. I've written that in my posts often enough!
Awaiting the new iMac in Q4-2020. Press Space and you're in.

You want an Intel machine without FaceID?

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Get in line

 

[recoil80]

Face ID makes much more sense than Touch ID for the Mac.

On an iMac it makes way more sense, as TouchID would be hosted in an external keyboard.
On a Macbook, TouchID is convenient and easy to reach, I'd be happy with FaceID but think when you use it on the iPhone for payments, you have to double click on the side button to activate it. On the Mac, they'd need to do something else, but they can't validate a payment without a user input just because the user is staring at the screen. TouchID is more convenient in that scenario, while for unlocking the Mac FaceID is better.

 

[PickUrPoison]

Of course it is… just like iOS is coming to Macs!

lol the new Macs will still be running MacOS 🙂

 

[kissmo]

If it fits an iPhone it will fit a desktop.... Makes more sense than touch ID in some cases.

 

[zorinlynx]

FaceID would be amazing for an iMac used by multiple people.

Imagine sitting down in front of your iMac and it automatically unlocks YOUR session (or logs in if you haven't yet). You don't even have to tell it who you are. When you get up, it locks the screen after a few seconds. It would be seamless.

I'm really surprised Apple hasn't done this yet since it's so obvious and would be such a cool "magic-like" feature, which we know Apple tends to be fond of.

 

[LeadingHeat]

I’ve always thought that the FaceID module was too thick for the display thickness in the MacBook Air and Pro. Maybe I’m wrong. But I’d love it if the neural engine would be able to handle more than 2 faces, so that each user could be logged in automatically with just sitting down in front of the computer.

maybe for purchase authentications instead of pressing on the side button twice like on an iPhone it would just have you blink twice for yes, three times for no. 😂

 

[Wreckus]

I love faceID (or whatever windows calls it) on my HP Spectre x360 and the bezels isn't that big at all.

IMO, way overdue on the MacBook pro.

Edit: Here's a pic

 

[Mick-Mac]

Back in the good old days, if someone wanted my password they would have to beat it out of me, and they wouldn't succeed. Nowadays, thanks to Apple, all they have to do is cut off my finger. With this new "advancement" now they also have the option of cutting off my head. Apple is making my life fraught with new dangers never before possible ;-).

 

[groove-agent]

I'm surprised and disappointed it wasn't included on my 16" 2019 MBP. After buying an iPad Pro and using it there, I'm now a believer compared to using Touch ID.