Apple to push iris recognition to the next level

Jan 23, 2017 12:52 GMT  ·  By

One of the features that could make their way to the next-generation iPhone is biometric authentication, which should help Apple follow in the footsteps of other companies already offering such security features.

While Microsoft has more or less failed in the mobile business, the Redmond-based software giant still managed to innovate with some new technologies released on its phones, including the iris scanner feature that’s part of a feature known as Windows Hello.

Iris scanning became available on Windows phone with the release of the Lumia 950 XL back in October 2015 and, at that point, Microsoft expected it to become the pioneer of the Windows Phone comeback. The platform, however, failed to gain ground, but Windows Hello still remains an innovative technology that was later implemented on other flagships, including Samsung’s own Galaxy Note 7.

And now, it appears that Apple is trying to introduce a new technology on the iPhone that would use the iris scanning tech first rolled out by Microsoft as the foundation.

Rumor has it that Apple wants to use the iris scanner as a starting point for a more advanced biometric authentication technology that would scan the entire face to grant access to the device, rather than just the iris.

Apple already tested the iris scanner

We’re being told that Apple originally wanted to launch the iPhone with a typical iris scanning feature, but given the fact that it was too similar to the existing implementations, the company then decided to go one step further and offer a full-face recognition system.

Furthermore, it appears that Apple itself didn’t consider the traditional iris scanner to be hackerproof, with some internal research showing that expanding the system to the entire face provides better security. Apple is also said to be working on making the iPhone hackerproof following the San Bernardino scandal.

And even though the new iPhone feature would scan the entire face, it would still include sensors analyzing the iris, but also other elements, such as the shape of the nose and the mouth. If all of these match the profile configured in the iPhone, the user is provided with access to the device.

For the moment, it’s not exactly clear when Apple is planning to introduce the new face recognition system, and there’s a small chance to see it going live on the next-generation iPhone coming this fall.

So there you go, Microsoft launched the iris scanner on modern phones and Apple seems to be ready to push it further. Now’s your turn, Microsoft, so you'd better make that Surface Phone truly revolutionary.