Apple first introduced Face ID with the iPhone X at the end of 2017. Since then, all newer iPhone devices have facial recognition, except for the iPhone SE 2020. Two iPad Pro generations also use the popular authentication method. Now Macs are set to follow suit.
The US blog 9to5mac has discovered hints in the code of the third macOS Big Sur beta that the operating system can handle Face ID. To be precise, individual lines of code take the well-known TrueDepth camera into account - according to the Apple blog. The Article:
We were able to find a new extension on macOS Big Sur Beta 3 with codes that are supposed to support “PearlCamera.” You may not remember, but this is the internal codename Apple uses for the TrueDepth camera and Face ID.
Will the first Mac devices with Face ID be released this year?
In addition, terms such as "FaceDetect" and "BioCapture" are also included in the code of the third macOS Big Sur beta. But 9to5mac warns - the implementation is still in its early stages. Thus, the feature does not seem to be ready in terms of software. Accordingly, Apple seems to be preparing the Mac operating system for Face ID. This means that in the future we can definitely look forward to Mac devices with facial recognition. Whether such a model will appear this year remains to be seen. Rumors suggest that a brand new iMac will appear in an iPad Pro-like design and have the function. However, it is assumed that the first Apple Silicon Macs will be Face ID capable, as Apple's new processor can run all iOS applications - some of which also rely on Face ID. So it would be a practical move. (Image: Apple)