In his latest newsletter, Mark Gurman from Bloomberg claimed that Apple considered introducing the Face ID authentication feature for the 24-inch M1 iMac launched in 2021. Currently available on iPhone and iPad, Face ID allows users to unlock their devices, sign-in apps, or make online payments at glance, quickly and conveniently. The same capability on a Mac will offer the same convenience as on iOS to desktop or laptop experience.
If Apple ever introduces Face ID on Mac, it will come to iMac before MacBook
Gurman explained that Apple explored adding the Face ID feature on the 2021 iMac because it has the thickest display in the Mac line-up. But the company dropped the idea for unknown reasons. He also added that if Face ID is ever launched in Mac, it will come to iMac first, not MacBook.
“Face ID was in the cards for the original M1 iMac. Naturally, the iMac is the thickest Mac with a built-in display since Apple’s laptops have fairly thin screens.
At this point, the technology to embed Face ID into the thin MacBook displays doesn’t exist. So if Face ID comes to the Mac, I think it will be on an iMac or external monitor first. Apple has definitely been working on this, but time will tell if they launch it.”
9to5Mac recalls that in 2020, its contributor Filipe Espósito reported that macOS Big Sur beta contained references to facial recognition features on the Mac.
We were able to find a new extension on macOS Big Sur beta 3 with codes intended to support “PearlCamera.” You may not remember, but this is the internal codename Apple uses for the TrueDepth camera and Face ID, which was first revealed with the iPhone X leaks in 2017.
Codes such as “FaceDetect” and “BioCapture” found within this extension confirms that Apple is preparing macOS to operate with Face ID, as these codes are similar to those used by iOS. We investigated and this Face ID extension was clearly built for macOS, and it’s not some remnant code from Catalyst technology.
Currently, MacBook models come with a built-in fingerprint scanner and high-end M1 iMac’s Magic Keyboard comes with a fingerprint scanner for biometric authentication which allows users to unlock their computer, sign-in apps, and websites, and make online payments. The tech giant is expected to launch two new iMac models: 24-inch iMac with M2 chip and 27-inch iMac Pro with M1 Max Duo chip.
