Noah says Apple's taking us back to a time before coronavirus. Photo: Daily Show
On Trevor Noah’s Daily Social Distancing Show, the comedian addressed Apple’s decision to make it easier for users to skip Face ID for passcodes on their iPhone, due to the challenges of unlocking them while wearing a protective mask.
“This is the genius of Apple,” he said. “They’re trying to take us back in time. Because if we’re back in time, there’s no corona.” Check out the clip below.
Make safe grocery acquisition a little easier with Drafts' shopping mode. Photo: David Clarke/Unsplash
During the COVID-19 pandemic, you’ve probably become hyper-aware of how much you touch everything. Your face, your iPhone, the AirPods you never clean, the filthy handle on your apartment building’s front door, etc. If you’re using your iPhone’s Reminders app to manage your iPhone shopping list, you’re likely finding yourself constantly tapping the screen and relying on Face ID to wake it up during trips to the store.
Clearly that’s useless if you’re being responsible and wearing a mask in the supermarket. Today we’ll see how to quickly toggle a “shopping mode” in the Drafts app, which will keep your iPhone awake while you dash down the aisles.
Face ID will let you train it while wearing a folded mask. Photo: Xuanwu Lab
Face ID is great, as long as your iPhone can see your face. A mask — like the ones we all should be wearing to slow the coronavirus pandemic — blocks the iPhone’s Face ID sensor from seeing your face. That means you either need to remove the mask (bad) to unlock your iPhone, type in your passcode every time (annoying), or disable the passcode entirely (a terrible idea).
But, according to in-depth research from China’s Tencent Xuanwu Lab, you can train Face ID to work while you’re wearing a mask. It needs some careful setup, but once it’s done, it works reliablly and quickly. You can even wear glasses.
An Apple patent filing shows a MacBook with Face ID. Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac
Evidence emerged today that Apple‘s facial-recognition system will be built into future Macs. Face ID is already a highlight of iPhone and iPad, and there’s solid proof the company is looking into adding it to MacBook and iMac as well.
Touch ID isn't dead yet. Mockup: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac
Apple is far from done with Touch ID. The latest research note from reliable TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo indicates the technology will return with at least one iPhone coming in 2021 — and it will have a new home.
Apple is expected to integrate a fingerprint scanner into a new capacitive power button on the side of its more affordable LCD device.
The newest iPhone 12 rumor claims Apple will introduce four brand-new handsets this fall, including a compact “iPhone 12 mini.”
The smallest model could be different to the rumored iPhone SE 2, but not much bigger in size. It is expected to pack Apple’s latest technology — just like its larger siblings — inside the same design.
An extra layer of protection for your messages. Photo: Apple
Facebook Messenger could soon add Face ID support to protect your conversations from nosy neighbors.
The feature would prevent access to Messenger until it is first unlocked with your face. It seems like a useful addition to the app for the security-conscious, but it’s still in development for now.
That logo certainly looks familiar. Photo: Parker Ortolani/Twitter
Eagle-eyed viewers spotted something oddly familiar during Samsung’s CES keynote Monday. On a slide regarding Samsung Pass, its new biometric “identity management as-a-service” product, Samsung included a logo that looks (to be polite) “borrowed” from Apple’s Face ID.
Yes, this not-quite-identical logo is the latest chapter in Samsung being, err, inspired by Apple designs. But should Apple be firing up its on-call lawyers for an easy win over Samsung? Legally speaking, things might be a bit more complicated than they initially seem.
Touch ID isn't dead yet. Concept: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac
Apple could deliver a flagship iPhone without a notch in 2020, according to a new report.
The device is expected to feature a new Touch ID fingerprint scanner integrated into its display — rather than Face ID. Its front-facing camera will also be hidden away behind its screen.
Biometric authentification like FaceID may not spell the end of passwords anytime soon. Photo: Public domain
This iPhone security post is presented by Dashlane.
Will Apple’s Face ID kill the password? One might assume that if the biometric advance of Touch ID didn’t do it via fingerprint, the more-advanced facial recognition of Face ID incorporated in recent iPhones just might. However, experts tend to agree passwords aren’t going away anytime soon. We’ll get into the reasons why below, which will help explain why password-management security apps like Dashlane remain crucial to your online security.
One of Apple’s key suppliers may have just found a way to free up a bit more space inside the 2020 iPhones.
Murata Manufacturing claims it has created ultrasmall capacitors that are one-fifth the size of current capacitors. With 5G capable iPhones set to gobble up battery power next year, Apple needs every extra square millimeter it can get.
How gorgeous is the iPhone 11 Max Pro? Photo: Lyle Kahney/Cult of Mac
This thing is a beauty. The first thing you notice is the glass back. The frosted matte finish makes it semi-translucent, giving it a weirdly illusory depth. It looks great. Not even the controversial, compound-eye camera bump can spoil its good looks. The iPhone 11 Pro Max is the best-looking iPhone to date, and I love it.
But don’t be fooled by the familiar design. This year’s refresh makes almost everything about Apple’s most expensive handset better than ever.
It’s faster, stronger and more water-resistant. It packs the best display you’ll find in a phone, and the best camera you’ve ever used. The battery lasts forever. Is it worth its hefty price tag? Absolutely.
Find out more in our full iPhone 11 Pro Max review.
The iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max are excellent, but there’s still room for improvement. Photo: Apple
There’s a lot to like in the new iPhone 11 series, but there are reasons to be disappointed, too. Some features that should be a part of any handset released in 2019 are missing, and a few rumored improvements didn’t appear.
Here are four ways the iPhone 11 and 11 Pro models fell short of the mark.
Don't believe the scaremongers. Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac
Apple’s newest iPhone lineup has landed. I picked up an iPhone 11 this year and I’ve hardly put it down since it landed on my doorstep this morning. So, here are my first impressions so far.
Snapchat just added another dimension to photos. Photo: Snap
Snapchat just added another cool feature to distinguish it from Instagram but you’ll need to have one of the newest iPhones to use it.
A new 3D Camera Mode is rolling out to users today, allowing you to create and share images that have a 3D depth effect as you tilt your display in different directions. It’s the same feature that debuted on the newest version of Snap’s Spectacles, only now you can create them from your iPhone.
Take a look at all the possibilities 3D Camera Mode unlocks:
The very first iPhone 11 reviews are out, which means it’s time to find out whether that $699+ you just spent on an upgrade was worth it. And you probably won’t be surprised to hear the results.
Apple’s most affordable iPhone this year, just like its predecessor, is a hit with critics. It is getting heaps of praise for its improved cameras, even longer battery life, and bolstered performance.
There are a few complaints, however. Find out what reviewers think of the iPhone 11 right here.
Does anyone really need 1TB of storage? Photo: Apple
Apple quietly changed the pricing on its most expensive models of the 12.9-inch and 11-inch iPad Pro yesterday while everyone else was drooling at the iPhone 11’s price tag.
Customers in the market for the 1TB storage option on either iPad Pro now get $200 off the original prices — but they remain far from cheap.
That’s four different handsets to choose from when you visit the Apple Store. So, which one is right for you? Our comprehensive comparison will help you decide.
But don't worry — Apple still has plans for Touch ID. Photo: Apple
Apple doesn’t plan to completely kill Touch ID anytime soon, according to Greg Joswiak, Apple’s VP of product marketing.
In a recent interview discussing the progress of Face ID, Joswiak championed Touch ID on the iPhone 5s as the first mainstream biometric security system. Even though Face ID is being added to more devices, Joswiak hinted Touch ID will still be hanging around for a while.
No, the new iPhone SE won't look like this. Screencap: Creative Concepts
A reliable source today echos claims that Apple is developing an iPhone SE upgrade for early next year.
The new low-cost handset will feature Touch ID, just as expected — but it won’t be the new in-display Touch ID technology that Apple could bring to other handsets in 2020.
That means there’s no hope of an edge-to-edge display.
But don't worry — Face ID isn't going anywhere. Photo: Apple
Apple really is working to integrate Touch ID into future iPhone displays, according to a new report.
The company’s in-screen fingerprint-scanning technology could debut as early as 2020. It is expected work alongside Face ID on flagship handsets, giving users a choice between unlock options.
Two new iPhone SE models for 2020? Photo: Sam Mills/Cult of Mac
It seems Apple hasn’t given up on the iPhone SE just yet. A new report claims an upgraded model is in the works — but you’ll have to wait until next spring to get your hands on it.
And it won’t be the iPhone SE upgrade you were hoping for.
Face ID on a MacBook is an even better fit than with iPhone or iPad. Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac
Apple’s facial-recognition system debuted on the iPhone and later expanded to the iPad. It’s high time Apple brought Face ID to the MacBook line, too.
There are people who aren‘t fans of Face ID because they’ve only used it on on iPhone. Don’t fall into that trap. It’s genuinely a better fit for the iPad and even more suited for a MacBook.