Could you share whatever it is that made you concerned about the safety? I’m not saying you’re wrong, just that I’ve never heard of any such concerns before.
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Future HomePod Models Could Include Face ID Technology
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Could you share whatever it is that made you concerned about the safety? I’m not saying you’re wrong, just that I’ve never heard of any such concerns before.
Since Face ID is based on Kinnect technology, it actually has a range of more like 10 meters. But it does not have the security density of regular Face ID at a range like that.
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This is a garbage rumor based on nothing but speculation from uninformed fools. Why are tech blogs running it and people commenting on it so much?
A new rumor out of Apple's supply chain over the weekend suggests future iterations of the HomePod could come with 3D-sensing cameras supporting Face ID, similar to the front-facing technology on the iPhone X. Specifically, Inventec Appliances president David Ho mentioned recently that the company sees a trend towards both facial and image recognition technology being incorporated into smart speakers, without specifying which speakers in particular (via Nikkei).
Ho made the comment following Inventec's latest earnings conference, and analysts listening predict that he was likely referring to "the next generation of Apple's HomePod." Inventec Appliances is currently the sole supplier of both Apple's AirPods and HomePod, but also makes Xiaomi smartphones, Fitbit devices, and Sonos speakers, among others. Given the company's ties to Apple, analyst Jeff Pu predicts Ho's comments could suggest a Face ID-enabled HomePod in 2019.
Ho said that facial recognition features "are set to make people's lives more convenient and to make the product easier to use." He further clarified his comments, however, citing hesitancy about whether smart speakers "with more AI features" would become popular.
HomePod is set to release in December, although Apple has yet to confirm a specific release date for the new device. The upcoming smart speaker was first revealed during WWDC in June, where Apple explained it would be a music-focused speaker with high quality sound, deep Siri integration, and spatial recognition for providing the best sound in any space. Even before it was officially announced, rumors of the device's production were connected to Inventec Appliances.
Over a year before its unveiling at WWDC 2017, Apple's "Siri Speaker" was rumored to include facial recognition of some kind as another leg up on competing Echo products from Amazon. At the time, sources with knowledge of Apple's project said the device would be "self aware" and able to bring up different user profiles as people walk into a room, "such as the music and lighting they like." The HomePod launching next month will lack any such features and instead be controlled mainly through voice-enabled user prompts with Siri.
Article Link: Future HomePod Models Could Include Face ID Technology
Future [INSERT APPLE PRODUCT HERE] Models Could Include Face ID Technology
I have a feeling we're going to see a lot of these garbage articles. People will still eat them up.
I have a feeling we're going to see a lot of these garbage articles. People will still eat them up.
Have to agree. Answer, Voice Recognition.
I just asked my smart speaker to turn on a light, from a completely different room, no line of sight. Same with adding items to the shopping list or ordering item. A better solution, Amazon has come up with, voice recognition. If I need to order something, I have pre configured my voice into the device, says my name and places the order. Does not recognize my voice, No order. Again No line of sight. Not sure where facial ID would be practical. I think this maybe a bogus rumor.
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I wouldn't mind not having FaceID on the HomePod, ever, but I would certainly love to see it on the new iMac Pro.
Yes, because having to walk across the room and put your face in front of a speaker to do anything is GREAT INNOVATION.
Any twit that is rumor mongering this obviously clueless doesn't know Apple very well because I doubt even Apple would do something so obviously stupid as to require facial authentication on a speaker.
Also you do not need a massive layer of security on a home assistance device. I only invite and live with people I have some level of trust with, and even if they order a TV from Amazon or music or any other content, then its all on my account and shipped to me anyways, so I can cancel or return it.
Perhaps if Apple actually supported consumer rights like return policies for digital content, like Google already does, then you can return something ordered by accident, especially if voice ordering on this new HomePod, then you don't need some contrived layer of security under the impression you live or invite over *******s that will try to buy stuff on these devices.
At most, a voice print would be good enough to know if the primary account holder is ordering something vs another family member or friend, the problem is that Apple has never implemented user profiles on iOS so this could be a glaring oversight by Apple.
But on the whole I think this is an incredibly naive rumor and I doubt Apple is that naive to implement something so contrived as facial idea on something that sits on a shelf on the other side of the room.
Any twit that is rumor mongering this obviously clueless doesn't know Apple very well because I doubt even Apple would do something so obviously stupid as to require facial authentication on a speaker.
Also you do not need a massive layer of security on a home assistance device. I only invite and live with people I have some level of trust with, and even if they order a TV from Amazon or music or any other content, then its all on my account and shipped to me anyways, so I can cancel or return it.
Perhaps if Apple actually supported consumer rights like return policies for digital content, like Google already does, then you can return something ordered by accident, especially if voice ordering on this new HomePod, then you don't need some contrived layer of security under the impression you live or invite over *******s that will try to buy stuff on these devices.
At most, a voice print would be good enough to know if the primary account holder is ordering something vs another family member or friend, the problem is that Apple has never implemented user profiles on iOS so this could be a glaring oversight by Apple.
But on the whole I think this is an incredibly naive rumor and I doubt Apple is that naive to implement something so contrived as facial idea on something that sits on a shelf on the other side of the room.
Because Apple is investing heavily in AR, and their 3D depth sensing camera also works great for user authentication across their array of products. Not that it's that important in a home environment, but I suspect FaceID is more secure and reliable over voice authentication.
"If you want to know what your balance is in your account, why not just pull your iPhone out of your pocket and check your bank's app?"
Sure, you can. I'd rather be able to ask a simple question. Choice is great. But again, the example I chose was just one application. There are tons more.
Projecting faceID dots across the room, isn't realistic at this point. The size of the hardware required bars it from being an option. Perhaps in a few years when the technology can be miniaturized on such a level that a Kinect can be the size of a quarter, then it would be feasible. But we're quite a few years away from that, and until then, I don't really see this happening. There's already a practical solution to address the issue.
Seems more realistic, and currently technologically feasible to use an iOS device to determine the user currently speaking.
Imagine in a room of people, each person has their iOS device. Child might be on an iPad, adults might be looking at their phone. Someone, anyone, says "hey Siri" and the homePod replies. -- The only way the HomePod would reply and not trigger the Siri on the device closest to them, is if Siri on the device closest to them knows the homepod is in close proximity and turns off local replies. That scenario or something similar would be necessary to address the poor user experience. Because if multiple Siris are being triggered, it basically becomes a poorly sounding symphony of replies.
So if Apple has accommodated for that realistic "home" the scenario of a "Home"Pod, then it's realistic to assume that not only would the iOS device know that the HomePod is near ... the HomePod would in turn know which device is closest to the voice that is speaking. Therefore, it should be able to identify the person. Akin to how Siri already knows it's you when you say "Hey Siri" and is less prone to trigger when someone else says it.
Seems more realistic, and currently technologically feasible to use an iOS device to determine the user currently speaking.
Imagine in a room of people, each person has their iOS device. Child might be on an iPad, adults might be looking at their phone. Someone, anyone, says "hey Siri" and the homePod replies. -- The only way the HomePod would reply and not trigger the Siri on the device closest to them, is if Siri on the device closest to them knows the homepod is in close proximity and turns off local replies. That scenario or something similar would be necessary to address the poor user experience. Because if multiple Siris are being triggered, it basically becomes a poorly sounding symphony of replies.
So if Apple has accommodated for that realistic "home" the scenario of a "Home"Pod, then it's realistic to assume that not only would the iOS device know that the HomePod is near ... the HomePod would in turn know which device is closest to the voice that is speaking. Therefore, it should be able to identify the person. Akin to how Siri already knows it's you when you say "Hey Siri" and is less prone to trigger when someone else says it.
Useless to you, perhaps. Fortunately there are a lot of people who feel otherwise and applaud Apple for not staying stuck in the past.
When you’re communicating with someone in another room, you speak to them; you don’t use non-verbal communication.
For technology to become as natural as possible, it needs to interpret all human communication, a big part of which is body language and facial expressions. When that happens, you won’t feel like you’re speaking to a computer. You’ll just speak and act naturally and it’ll understand exactly what you mean.
As for recognizing who it’s speaking to, have you ever called a house to speak with someone and the grown son sounds exactly like their dad over the phone? If humans sometimes can’t tell people apart by their voice, then it’ll be much harder for a computer. A face has millions of times more diversity than a voice.
If for example, you’re asking Siri from another room to tell you your schedule, and it isn’t sure, it can ask you “Hey, is that you John or is it Peter?”. But most of the time, you’re nearby and within view and it can positively identify you.
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I'm not sure this would work, due to energetic density need (as mentioned); but what would the perceived benefit be?
Anyone notice how the leaves in the article photo looks like the Alien Queen, sizing up the HomePod? LOL I bet that's the same results one of these sensors would get.
Anyone notice how the leaves in the article photo looks like the Alien Queen, sizing up the HomePod? LOL I bet that's the same results one of these sensors would get.
Even if this article were to be accurate if Face ID would be included on future HomePod models, it's an optional feature that one does not have to take advantage of. It likely would be there for security purposes for regarding private information, etc. But for the time being, I'm Not entirely sure if I believe this article.
The problem isn’t in the “innovation”, it’s in your lack of imagination and common sense. Something like this wouldn’t require you to walk across the room and “put your face in front of a speaker”. You’re just forcing an unlikely parody scenario, that you know isn’t true, to validate whatever predetermined point you wanted to make.
This. Exactly this. I'm not buying one - but I'm pretty sure that the first one needs to be released, reviewed, used extensively before it can be determined what is needed or not needed.
What about for parental controls for explicit music, purchases, etc?
What if you want personalized interactions where Siri references you by name and knows your preferences with music, calendar, etc.?
There are many, many reasons to have this.
I think we're more likely to see face id tethered to unlocking macbooks via the phone rather than this. Similar to how you can unlock your Mac with a watch.
Yes.
Face ID in the speaker would be awesome.
You could say "send Jim $5" and just be around and wait for it to scan your face so that would know:
A) who sends it
B) is it permitted
C) Jim from whose contact list
I’m not sure if this has been mentioned, but maybe Face ID could be used to determine who is speaking so answers can be personalized for that individual
I don't see a reason on a phone either. Did anyone say I wish they would ditch touch id for something else?
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What does it accomplish on a phone other than increasing the price?
You want a HomePod in the wettest room of your house? There are plenty of good waterproof/water-resistant bluetooth speakers that can stream music from your iPhone/iPad. And some of them can trigger Siri with a (waterproof) button press.
There's nothing new from a hardware component perspective, but producing 360 degree sound that auto-configures and optimizes based on its surroundings in real-time is all new.
Not really. I’ve been doing similar things since the 80’s in live sound reinforcement. Apple just brought this technology to a cheap (relatively speaking) device. No doubt why they used an A8 processor, which is seriously overpowered for just a regular “smart” speaker.
Based on demos it looks like the audio portion was already working back at WWDC. I doubt it’s taking Apple 6 months to fine tune the HomePod since the concepts it’s using are well understood by audio engineers.
Which is why I’m convinced there’s another feature they haven’t talked about.