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Developers are still digging into the recently released HomePod firmware to suss out additional details on Apple's upcoming "iPhone 8," and the latest information, sourced from developer Guilherme Rambo, hints at several features we might see in the new device.

According to strings of code uncovered by Rambo, the facial recognition feature coming in the iPhone 8 appears to support authentication for Apple Pay payments, seems to work with multiple faces, and may be accessible by third-party apps, much like Touch ID.

pearlpaymentauthentication-800x101.jpg

A line in the code references a payment authentication error with "Pearl," Apple's internal code name for face recognition in the iPhone 8, while a string that reads "numberOfAppsUsingPearl" suggests facial recognition functionality can be accessed by third-party apps, likely as a passcode replacement. Given this information, facial recognition appears to be a full replacement for Touch ID, just as rumors have suggested.

pearlthirdpartyapps.jpg

Apple's upcoming facial recognition system is said to be faster and more secure than Touch ID. It can unlock an iPhone within a few hundred milliseconds, and it captures more data points than a fingerprint scan. Thanks to previous firmware leaks, we also know that it works when the iPhone is laying flat on a table and it mutes notification sounds when a face is in view.

In addition to unveiling new information about facial recognition, Rambo has also found a few other interesting bits of code that may hint at additional features coming in the iPhone 8.

There are references to multi biometrics, modern HDR, 1080p240 camera capture functionality for a "back" and a "front" (suggesting 240 fps video capture at 1080p, an upgrade from the current 720p limit), and mentions of "FrontPearl" and "BackPearl" camera support.

"Back Pearl" pic.twitter.com/amAFPMzDw4 - Guilherme Rambo (@_inside) August 9, 2017

While the HomePod firmware has provided us with a range of details on what to expect from the iPhone 8, it's important not to read too much into ambiguous code and make too many assumptions about features that are as-of-yet unclear. "BackPearl" could suggest facial recognition for both the front and rear cameras, for example, but it could mean something else entirely. The same goes for multi-biometrics and modern HDR.

Additionally, not all of the referenced features are guaranteed to make it into the iPhone 8, so take this code as a suggestion of what might be coming rather than concrete proof of a feature.

Apple first released the HomePod firmware in late July, and because it was meant for employees testing the not-yet-available HomePod speaker, which runs a version of iOS, Apple did not strip out references to upcoming products and features.

iphone8dummymodel-800x531.jpg
Images of an iPhone 8 dummy model shared by Ben Miller

From the firmware, we've seen glimpses of the final design of the iPhone 8, and have found references to infrared-based facial recognition features, a split status bar, a tap to wake feature, new SmartCamera functionality, and more.

Details on other upcoming products, including the HomePod itself, the Series 3 Apple Watch, and a possible 4K Apple TV have also been uncovered in the firmware.

Article Link: iPhone 8 Facial Recognition Appears to Support Payments, Multiple Faces and Third-Party Apps
 
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suprakc

macrumors regular
Jun 15, 2013
110
3
Utah
Well at least they are releasing that super-awesome mauve-make-up color... And, clearly, Jony doesn't work for apple anymore as the "seamless" bezel is now a samsung bezel glued to the front of an iPhone 7...
 
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aloshka

macrumors 65816
Aug 30, 2009
1,437
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I really hope the white version exists.. GORGEOUS!! I wasn't so excited about iPhone 7, but man, this thing is beautiful. really hope the rumors are true. .
 
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Bacillus

Suspended
Jun 25, 2009
2,681
2,200
Ahh - that paves the way for some advanced futures:
- Recognizing the same face at both front and rear cameras means serious trouble
(= probably one of those capped youtube imbeciles bending/twisting the device,
Alarm mode on !)
- Automatic crosschecking of faces against national FBI criminals lists
- AR enhanced overlay with person's public data records

This device doubles as the most enhanced security camera
 
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DocMultimedia

macrumors 68000
Sep 8, 2012
1,565
3,662
Charlottesville, VA
I'm buying everything this fall. Goodies! Also a refurbished iMac and MacBook (2017) when they make it to return page.
[doublepost=1502317786][/doublepost]Seriously. No sarcasm on that post.
 

brunozs

macrumors regular
Sep 7, 2005
113
112
Maybe Face ID will work just like Touch ID, minus having to place your finger on the reader
 

JohnApples

macrumors 68000
Mar 7, 2014
1,634
2,776
Oh yay, more HomePod leaks. This means we can fully expect "LOLz let's just ask HomePod for the answer!!" jokes for the next year.
 

Chupa Chupa

macrumors G5
Jul 16, 2002
14,835
7,396
Can it recognize faces in the early nausea phase? I hope so because I know that's how I'd look if I owned one of those brown...er Old World Copper...iPhones. I really hope that is just a bad picture or a fake.
 
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