14 DAY TRIAL // Surface Andromeda is one of the most anticipated products ever developed by Microsoft, and while there’s still no confirmation it would ever get the go-ahead, the reports making the rounds occasionally indicate that the Redmond-based giant wants to make it truly innovative.
A recently-discovered patent provides an early look at such an innovation. Microsoft is exploring a way to automatically adjust the volume on Andromeda using nothing else than the facial recognition system.
At first glance, such an approach makes sense. Andromeda is supposed to be a dual-screen device, so users would be able to run apps independently on each of the displays.
With the facial recognition feature, Andromeda would basically be capable of determining which screen you’re looking at and then adjust the volume accordingly. This makes it possible to implement a series of other features, like automatically switching to mute when no face is detected or even increasing the volume when you’re playing a game and you’re not too close to the device.
Possibly coming next year
The whole purpose here is to make Andromeda a device that offers a consistent audio experience regardless of the running apps, the environment, or conditions.
Plus, Microsoft could use information from other device parts, like the hinge, which can transmit the orientation of the screen in order to help the auto volume adjusting to work accurately.
While Andromeda is still an uncertain project at this point, Microsoft appears to be looking into every little detail in an attempt to get it right.
Undoubtedly, this is the correct approach, though it’s also worth emphasizing that Microsoft does not afford to be late to the party with Andromeda. So whatever it does, it should do it faster, as people expect Andromeda to see daylight next year and another delay would only fuel the criticism and cause more frustration in the user community worldwide.
Via WindowsCentral