Face ID for MacBooks?

Apple is still interested in bringing facial recognition to Macs.

Author

Leander Kahney
August 16, 2023

I’m a huge fan of Face ID, Apple’s biometric security system that uses my ugly mug to unlock my iPhone and iPad.

I love it for not just unlocking my devices, but for authorizing payments, opening apps, logging into websites and more.

It works waaaaay better for me than Touch ID, which can never, ever remember my fingerprint. It may be because I have dry skin on my hands, but I’m constantly having to re-enter my fingerprint on my Touch ID-equipped Apple keyboard.

Face ID, on the other hand, has proven to be extremely reliable and easy to use. It’s almost completely replaced the tedious process of typing in passwords or unlock codes.

Face ID is now almost 6 years old, but Apple still hasn’t added it to the Mac, which is head-scratching. Why can’t Apple make it work for its computers?

The only reason I can think of is that people sit too far away from their Macs, and the system may be unreliable beyond a few inches.

In addition, there might not be enough room for the hardware behind the svelte screens of current MacBooks. But that, of course, doesn’t apply to the iMac or Apple’s desktop displays.

While it doesn’t seem like Face ID is coming to the Mac anytime soon, there is still hope!

Apple has just been granted a patent for adding Face ID to MacBooks. That doesn’t mean it’s a surefire future feature, but it does show the idea is still alive in Cupertino!

Also in today’s newsletter:

  • The iPhone’s End Call button was controversially moved in early iOS 17 betas. Now it’s back where it belongs.

  • In an unusual move, Apple released watchOS 9.6.1 to remove just a single bug affecting Apple Watch and an API that helps track tremors and other symptoms associated with Parkinson’s disease.

  • Talking of Touch ID, today’s featured setup discusses a couple of alternatives for using a Touch ID keyboard, including unlocking with Apple Watch or setting a keyboard password macro.

  • This clever carbon-fiber iPhone tripod folds down to the size of a credit card.

  • Today’s the day in Apple history that Cupertino rolled out the PowerBook 165, its first “lower-cost” portable. The 1993 laptop cost "only" $1,970 -- the equivalent of nearly $4,200 in today's money. How's that for "affordable"?

  • The iPad’s Magic Keyboard is a must-have for me. It turns my old iPad Pro into a laptop. It ain’t cheap, but it is now up to $60 off.

— Leander Kahney, EIC.

Apple hasn't given up on Face ID for MacBooks

Apple receives a patent that covers building Face ID into a MacBook. But the facial-recognition system is not a feature of any Mac ... yet.

Medical-related Apple Watch bug fixed by watchOS 9.6.1 update

Apple introduced watchOS 9.6.1 to remove a single problem affecting its smartwatch.

Latest iOS 17 beta moves End Call button back to the center

Apparently responding to online criticism, Apple returns the End Call button to a central location in iOS 17.

A message from the Cult of Mac Deals team

This genius iPhone tripod folds up to the size of a credit card

Made of carbon fiber, this tiny yet sturdy iPhone stand is perfect for creating or viewing content. Save now on Geometrical's Pocket Tripod.

Slash up to $60 off Magic Keyboards for iPad

These handy accessories don't come cheap, but at least they come cheaper at times like this.

Convert any XLR microphone to USB with this adapter

Shure's new adapter means content creators like streamers and podcasters don't have to buy a USB microphone if they already own an XLR mic.

A message from CapCut

8 AI tools that change how you create content for social media

The AI craze is in full swing, with more and more easily accessible AI technology available online for free. Here are eight tools that will help you crank out effective social media content quickly and easily.

Zagg's colorful new stylus works with both iPhone and iPad

There are plenty of iPad styluses, and also lots of iPhone ones. The just-launched Zagg Pro Stylus 2 is both.

Edith Wharton’s ‘The Buccaneers’ sails onto Apple TV+ in November

The unfinished novel about American women looking for British aristocrats to marry in the 1870s will become an eight-episode drama.

Today in Apple history: PowerBook 165 becomes Apple's most affordable laptop

On August 16, 1993, Apple shipped the PowerBook 165, a lower-cost, grayscale version of the PowerBook 165c.

Why buy a Touch ID keyboard when you can do this? [Setups]

With computer setups, there are always other ways to do things, as today's MacBook Pro user found out regarding password entry.

Tweetz o’ the day

One more thing ...

❝

The Apple II could hold up to 48 kilobytes of memory which today doesn’t seem like much, but at that time was maybe three times as much as its competitors. And that’s why Visicalc was written for the Apple II. It was the only computer that could hold it."

— Steve Jobs, 1990.

Today’s poll

Should Macs get Face ID?

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