Update September 15: Craig Frederighi answered questions
on wearing sunglasses and deactivating Face ID in the event of attack,
see the rest of the article
One of the
main new features of theiPhone X, apart from its
design, is undoubtedly the new facial recognition technology or
Face ID which replaces the old fingerprint or Touch sensor
ID.
Apple explained in detail in its keynote (résumé
in this article) and on its website, how Face ID works,
pouranswer a lot of questions that future people ask
users.
First of all, this new face recognition system uses three
new components for identification, including oneprojector
points, which sends 30,000 invisible points onto the face to create
a “face card” and ainfrared camerawho will read this
carte.
The new A11 Bionic processor compares this card to the one already
saved on the device and unlocks iPhone
Andinfrared emittercan invisibly illuminate the
face in the dark to be able to use Face IDwhen he does
sombre.
According to Apple, Face ID cannot be fooled by a face photo,
since recognition is done with a 3D scan of the face, whichtakes
so take into account the depth.
In addition, Face ID includes a "attention
aware" which requires the user to look in the direction of
l’iPhone Xwith open eyesso that recognition
facial is carried out.
It is possible todisable this featurefor the
users who want to unlock their device without
look, in this case the identification will just be done with a scan of the
visage.
Apple also clarified during its keynote that even a 3D mask of a
face is not able to deceive the vigilance of Face ID.
On the security side, Apple announces that this system is much more reliable than the
Touch ID, with1 in 1 million chancethat a person can
unlock the device with their face, compared to 1 in 50,000 for
identification via fingerprints.
According to Apple, Face ID is much more precise than Touch ID and only allows
two unsuccessful attemptsbefore asking for a word
passes, compared to 5 attempts for Touch ID (e.g.: wet finger).
Face ID uses machine learning to
recognize changes in the appearance of a face,
old age, beard, haircut, makeup, glasses, and others
accessories that can hide part of the face.
The question of whether Face ID doesn't work with glasses
sun has arisen. Craig Frederighi thus answered this question
following a user email. It indicates that Face ID is usable
with sunglasses(most letting
infrared used by the system).
Also remember that it is impossible to use Face ID on a
unconscious or sleeping user, as it is necessary to
look at the screen voluntarily so that recognition is operational
(unless you deactivate an option on user attention).
As is the case with fingerprint sensor data, the
Face ID also encrypts and stores “facial” datain an enclave
secure locallyon the machine and does not send any data online
on iCloud or Apple.
Touch ID allows you to register multiple fingers to unlock a
device and therefore several users, this is not the case with Face ID which
allowedonly a user face.
According to the various demonstrations, Face ID seems to have been working since
from many angles, without the need to hold the screen in front of the eyes, it
However, we will have to wait for the first tests to ensure that it works.
well in several cases.
Face ID also replaces Touch ID to allowpay with
Apple Paybut after authenticating with Face ID, you must
performdouble press the Power buttonpour
confirm a payment. Same for iTunes purchases, Apple Store, purchases
integrated, etc.
Finally, last very interesting information, thanks to the functionality
“attention aware” of Face ID, the iPhone X knows when the user is looking
the screen, it will thendisplay notifications and messages on the screen
lockedetkeep the screen onas long as
the user does notdon't take your eyes off the screen.
But that's not all, as long as the user pays attention to
the screen, Face ID will alsolower the volume of an alarm or
ringtone, because it knows that the user will notice them.
Finally, know that it is possible todeactivate Face very quickly
IDby holding down the Power button and volume "+" so
simultaneous.
Face ID appears to be a new biometric technology very
promising, we will now have to wait for the first tests to be able to
check that all promises are kept! See you in early November
for that.
Deputy editor-in-chief, also known under the pseudonym Teza. Former video games journalist, who has been immersed in tech and Apple products since his very first iPhone 3GS in 2009. He has since worked for several American tech sites and now for iPhon.fr. Incidentally YouTuber and Apple product specialist on the MobileAddict channel. To contact me: maxime[a]iphon.fr
