Technology to Embed Face ID into MacBook Displays 'Doesn't Exist,' Says Gurman

[inigou]

It’s obvious why they didn’t included it, but really hope when they do it finally, still maintain Touch ID

 

[code-m]

They made the new MacBook Pros thicker, why would anyone care if the display was slightly thicker, and then made the body thinner to compensate. There really be no difference in size. And maybe better display technology.

OR not a popular opinion but they could put an ultrawide camera, with FaceID components at the bottom, pointing up. That way they could do a true edge to edge display.

Placing the camera at the bottom will not work as well, try this on an iPad Pro. It’s a hit and miss at best.

 

[Hessian]

I just wish they had made the notch smaller. I’m sure it will match future macs with Face ID, but I’d rather lose that continuity and have a small notch. I have enough icons in my menu bar for it to get in my way.

Agreed, but Face ID is far better than touch in most scenarios for me.

At least have this on iMacs and a hopefully soon to come Display that is sub $2k

 

[randyhudson]

Given how Touch ID is used on Macs, Face ID would make no sense. If I'm making a purchase, unlocking passwords, or elevating privileges, it MUST be because of an explicit action I've made, like placing my finger on the Touch ID sensor. Just being in front of the screen doesn't count.

Not to mention, the lid on MacBooks is often closed, or placed off to the side with a larger display positioned in front of the user.

 

[inigou]

This used to be my opinion as well until I switched from Android to an iPhone 13. Any water, sweat, oils, dirt or anything else on your fingers will prevent a fingerprint reader from working. FaceID just works.

Hmmmm, just need direct sunlight to make Face ID struggle. I prefer both, and if I have to choose, Touch ID probably

 

[code-m]

Technically power button TouchID can no incorporated into an AW, either on the flat surface of the crown dial or the inclusion of an elongated button on the side or a sensor window. No need to place one’s finger for authentication on the display, it may make it awkward for the left-handed folks, though that does not seem to be an issue with the crown dial.

Apple Watch doesn't need bioauthentication at all, because you can use your iPhone to unlock it. Would be an overcomplication, make the device more expensive, and take up more space that could be afforded to things like battery (which is important on tiny devices like the Watch).

 

[bradman83]

That’s misleading as iPhone and iPad also have rear cameras. Mac laptops lid is thinner, don’t get me wrong but a tapered top portion like the MBA will provide enough thickness to house FaceID and more, plus it would not counter balance when opened at any angle as the weight is minimal. This is my innovative minimal approach while retaining aesthetics and convenient technology, if I can think of a solution while resolving the engineering issue, why can’t a Trillion dollar valuation company have had this solution already in the present 2021 MBP.

No, the display chassis of a MacBook Air/Pro will not provide enough thickness for FaceID. The dot projector assembly uses the full depth of the device, about 5mm on the iPad Pro 11. This is an issue of optics, not electronics. The dot projector uses LEDs that are bounced off of two prisms project a field of dots to measure 3D depth. This is not something that can be flattened down while achieving the same effect.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

I think for normal authentications FaceID would be a perfect solution, and far superior to TouchID in every way (as it is on mobile devices right now). But you definitely raise a good point on the payment / purchase authentications, I imagine it'll require a click to confirm, then FaceID - but it would still be far quicker than typing your password again.

I like the “ambient security” of FaceID. As long as I’m not paying for anything, anything I need to do is handled after a brief scan.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

Apple has made it very clear that the technology doesn't work with identical twins... they're identical, it's kind of a given. For the vast majority of the population, FaceID is far more convenient and transparent to use, and it offers a higher level of security (1/1m chance of a false positive vs 1/50,000 for TouchID).

If you want an iPhone with TouchID, you can still buy the highly capable iPhone SE 2 that uses a different form of bioauthentication. Or, you could use a passcode and not bother with FaceID.

Just because a technology isn't suitable for everyone shouldn't mean that everyone should be deprived of its benefits.

Twins returned their iPhones because their sibling (and literally no one else in the world) could get into their phone? That sounds more like unresolved trust issues between the siblings. Sad to see it With FaceID, out of the billions of people in the world, those few that would have issues with FaceID not only KNOW the other people that may be able to access their phones they’re also definitely related to them. For those folks that don’t trust their family, I guess I’d suggest them NOT getting iPhones either, but not because of the limitations of the technology…

 

[Unregistered 4U]

Whilst we may not be privilaged to know everything that goes on in the tech world, there are companies out there developing electronic devices such as camera's, radio's, listening devices that are the size of an ant and in some cases even smaller

Cameras the size of an ant? I mean, there are ants larger than current CCD’s so I guess that’s accurate.

 

[ChromeAce]

This is BS. An iPhone 13 is thinner than an iMac. Notches have even become widely acceptable should Apple put one on an iMac, but the bezel as it is now could easily accommodate a camera upgrade without it.

 

[tkaravou]

Angled up would turn it into NoseID or NostrilID

We've examined millions of noses to find unique patterns for each individual. The result is 99.9% accuracy. We think you'll love it.

 

[clevins]

Couldn't they have the sensors and camera 'sticking out' from the screen, and then for when the screen closes have some osrt of cut out where they slot into? This would not only allow face ID but also allow for far better quality webcams surely?

Is the only reason not to do this because of aesthetics, or would there be other drawbacks?

People whine about the notch. What do you think the reaction would be to an actual protrusion??

ALso, I don't think it's as much of an advantage on the Mac. Think about the issue they raise - confirming a purchase etc. You arent looking at your phone all the time but even then there's a 'double click to confirm this purchase' for App store things.

So, for Macs where you ARE looking at the screen all the time, you'd have to have some analog to the "'double click to confirm this purchase' action - but we have as touchID on the Macbook Pros. But if I have to tap something on the keyboard, I might as well just use the touch ID button.

 

[clevins]

This is BS. An iPhone 13 is thinner than an iMac. Notches have even become widely acceptable should Apple put one on an iMac, but the bezel as it is now could easily accommodate a camera upgrade without it.

#sigh. it's not thinner that the *macbook screen*. Do try to keep up.

Is there a reason why people shouldn’t care about face ID?

BEcause it adds nothing to the interaction on the Mac?

 

[cjboffoli97]

I'm sitting here looking at my 7.65mm thick iPhone 13 Pro (with Face ID) and my 11.5mm thick M1 iMac (without) and wondering how this story makes sense.

 

[RAS2MR]

I honestly dont understand the appeal of FaceId on a Mac. TouchID works quickly and for any authentication of a transaction or access to a "sensitive" site I'd want some positive action like TouchID or at least a specific keypress in addition to face recognition before the transaction is authorized since FaceID could be too automatic...

 

[icwhatudidthere]

Agreed, but Face ID is far better than touch in most scenarios for me.

At least have this on iMacs and a hopefully soon to come Display that is sub $2k

Agreed. Whenever Face ID vs Touch ID comes up, I get the feeling that for some people Touch ID just works better and for others, it's the other way. For me, Touch ID is 50% at best. Most of the time I have to try twice. It's probably just the way my fingerprints are, so for me, I prefer Face ID.

 

[msackey]

Well, I’m not sure it’s necessarily just about how ‘thin’ Face ID is, as much as it is that how many sensors/parts it actually contains to make Face ID possible that it houses:

Hence:
View attachment 1955476

Ok, since there is already a notch in the new MacBooks, then add on to those additional sensors

 

[msackey]

Why does it need to be on the screen? It can easily be on the actual body angled up near the function keys

Well, to be fair, at that point it would be more of a "ChinSag ID" rather than "FaceID", no? ChinSag ID is just not very marketable. ? But sure, I don't disagree. Maybe the new procedure for recognition would be "Please stretch the sag so we can document its veracity".

?

 

[_Spinn_]

I'm surprised since Windows Hello has been around for awhile in laptops. I know it uses different technology but it doesn't sound like just simple face recognition with a plain camera.

“Windows Hello uses 3D structured light to create a model of someone’s face and then uses anti-spoofing techniques to limit the success of people creating a fake head or mask to spoof the system,” Moorhead said.

What is Windows Hello? Microsoft’s biometrics security system explained

Windows Hello gives Windows users an alternate way to log into their devices and applications using a fingerprint, iris scan or facial recognition. Here’s what the technology does, who uses it and the hardware required.

www.computerworld.com

 

[LonestarOne]

Exactly. Next years MacBook Pro will have the pill cut out for sure to entice people to upgrade.

Whatever Apple does, I’m sure this group will find something to whine about.

I’m hoping for a notch, TouchBar, and white bezels.

 

[w5jck]

Personally, I think Gurman is just one of many marionettes which Apple can control through strings above to make him say anything they want, so as to throw off the speculators! Yep, just another dummy on a string, fed BS right and left until he regurgitates in our faces. I'm sure he throws in a fair amount of his own total BS as well. Warning ? alert, Gurman at work...

 

[frifra]

Well if Gurman says so, it must be true, looking at my flat edge Apple Watch here… oh wait.

 

[Umacga]

Sure, so they can make the laptop lid just a little bit thicker and can make it thinner as the technology improves.

Twice as thick is not "just a little bit thicker." Plus, that would make the lid somewhat heavier, so they'd probably need to compensate by making the base thicker and heavier. Plus, that would probably mean sturdier hinges. I wouldn't mind FaceID on a MacBook (looking to get a new one in a year or so) but definitely not if it means a bigger, heavier computer. TouchID works just fine.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

This is BS. An iPhone 13 is thinner than an iMac. Notches have even become widely acceptable should Apple put one on an iMac, but the bezel as it is now could easily accommodate a camera upgrade without it.

What is BS? Gurman says if it happens it’ll be on an iMac first, which is true. The story THIS post is referencing says the technology doesn’t exist for FaceID on a MacBook which is accurate.