Apple has announced facial recognition for the iPhone X. This is supposedly for the Face ID security system, but the new Animoji is what will actually be selling the feature. Mostly because it’s far more intuitive, practical, and fun.
The key here is that the iPhone X maps the user’s face, and then uses what it sees to animate emoji. This allows people to create emoji with custom expressions and send them to their friends. Providing an almost human touch to online interaction.
Users can also use Animoji to record voice messages. This sends a talking emoji that matches their own expressions and mannerism. Quite a bit gets lost in the translation between real human and cartoon chicken, but you get the idea.
In real life, the effects are a lot more impressive. Here’s a demo video from CNET from the experiential zone:
Curiously, this demonstrates Apple’s leap in technology far more than anything else announced at the event. Video game companies have been trying to get this sort of thing out for years, with the feature often relegated to tech demos with no release date.
This facial mapping system – on a phone no less – shows that the technology is far more mature than anyone gives it credit. If anything, Apple should be combining this with AR to really demonstrate what it can do.
