It looks like Apple might be bringing its Face ID facial recognition system to more devices. According to reliable analyst, Ming Chi-Kuo of KGI Securities, Apple will be bringing its TrueDepth camera system to the next generation iPad Pro, enabling Face ID on the device.
Unfortunately, Ming Chi-Kuo does not have the full detail yet. The analyst only expects Apple to bring the TrueDepth camera to the flagship 12.9” and 10.5” iPad Pro models as opposed to the cheaper iPad units.
Kuo also did not specify how Apple would implement the new camera system and biometric technology into the iPad Pro. Apple could retain the same design, leaving the Home button and Touch ID in tact, or it could bring the new iPhone X design to the iPad Pro. Hopefully it’s the latter, especially if Apple wish to bring a consistent user experience between the iPad and iPhone. Bringing its TrueDepth camera to the iPad could also increase adoption of the technology.
“We predict iOS devices to be equipped with TrueDepth Camera in 2018F will include iPhone X and 2018 new iPhone and iPad models. Because of this, we believe more developers will pay attention to TrueDepth Camera/ facial recognition related applications. We expect Apple’s (US) major promotion of facial recognition related applications will encourage the Android camp to also dedicate more resources to developing hardware and facial recognition applications.”
But of course, nothing is final for now. The iPhone X, the first and only device with Face ID at the moment, is not even out yet, and it makes sense for Apple to gauge the user experience with Face ID before it make any future plans. Preorders for the iPhone X in selected countries will begin on 27 October, and will go on sale starting from 3 November 2017. However, according to reports, availability will be limited as Apple is facing production problems for the facial recognition sensor.
(Source: MacRumors)
