The long wait for Apple's new iPhone X will be over this Friday when fans can finally place their pre-orders. The phone is undoubtedly Apple's most revolutionary phone since the first model came out in 2007. It is the first iPhone without a home button which allows for a beautiful edge-to-edge OLED screen. With the home button missing, Touch ID is gone, but Apple has replaced it with new technology. The Face ID feature uses Apple's brand new TrueDepth camera which can unlock the phone with the glance of an eye.
How it works
Apple's Facial Recognition Software is one-of-a-kind.
Other tech giants like Samsung have made their own versions in the past but haven't seen much success. The Samsung Galaxy S7 and S8 both feature facial recognition, but users have reported that photos can be used to unlock their phones. While some say Apple is behind with the technology, a report by Bloomberg indicates that they have been working on it for five years. Their release may be a few years later than Samsung's, but their software will apparently be the best available.
Face ID works through what Apple's TrueDepth camera. It includes an infrared camera, a flood illuminator, and a dot projector. The three components work together in order to recognize a person's face. The dot projector is responsible for the most advanced part of the technology: three-dimensional mapping.
While Samsung's facial recognition technology was easily tricked by photos, the dot projector ensures that what's in front of the camera is a person.
Slowed production
Since the iPhone X was announced in September, reports about its slow production rate have surrounded the internet. Analysts reported that Apple originally expected to have over 40 million units available for the phone's release, but Mac Rumors recently stated that the number is now around 10 million.
The slow production is due to the phone's TrueDepth camera which apparently involves a very complex creation process. Apple has allegedly decided to sacrifice the quality of the new camera in order to produce more units before the end of the year. According to Bloomberg, Apple has told iPhone X manufacturers to reduce the accuracy of The Face ID feature in an effort to increase production rates.
As long as the facial recognition software isn't tricked by photos, Apple will have happy customers. The iPhone X is available for pre-order this Friday and will be available in limited quantities at Apple stores on November 3.