Prior to the original iPad’s introduction there were rumors that the device would use facial recognition technology so it could switch between user accounts upon identification of a user. Of course, this feature never made it to the iPad line, but a recently unearthed patent application does confirm the company was/still is looking into this technology as an iPad feature.
This patent application was filed in June of 2010, a few months after the launch of the original iPad, and it simply illustrates a way in which the device’s built in camera could recognize faces, and thus be used to unlock the device for use.
In true Google fashion of throwing stuff against the wall until something sticks, the Android platform just recently introduced a facial unlocking feature. Reportedly it can be easily fooled by a photograph of a user with access to the device.
If there were both reports and a patent application indicating that Apple was looking into this technology, they likely found the solution to be lackluster at this time or they would have included it in the shipping product. Then again, we have no idea how seriously they were looking at the technology.
Be assured of this- Apple will not include face recognition simply because Android now includes it. They will only include it if they deem that it works, and that it adds value to the product. That’s regardless of public demand or disdain. That’s just how Apple works.
Story courtesy of AppleInsider. Photo courtesy of Patently Apple.
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TAGS: iPad, Patent, patent application
