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Apple delays Face ID for 2021 iMac

Reportedly, Apple's 2021 redesign for the iMac will not include Face ID as previously expected.

Apple has been working on bringing Face ID to the iMac, but a new report says the feature is unlikely to be released in 2021.

According to Bloomberg, Apple had is planning to incorporate iPhone-like user authentication with Face ID on the iMac — but not in the forthcoming refresh.

Now the publication, citing unnamed sources, says that it is more likely that the feature will be included in a second iteration of the design. Previously it had been expected that Face ID would also come to the MacBook Pro, but Bloomberg has no further details of that.

Recent reports suggest that the 2021 redesigned iMac will resemble a version of the Pro Display XDR, with its slimmer bezels. The new Apple Silicon iMac is also expected to lose its famous chin, and be released as a flatter device than before.



24 Comments

caladanian 10 Years · 380 comments

What takes them so long?! ...it’s the same with the Touch Bar - it never could get hold because the external keyboards didn’t have it. It’s either all or nothing - if a function is not widely supported it will not get used and vanish again. 

paraeeker 4 Years · 76 comments

Sometimes tech companies need to slow down the product treadmill to lock sync with what their users need. 

The M1 Macs coming out in old garb were okay — Apple needed to get them out quickly and the upgraded internals thoroughly justified need. 

The next cycle needs to see the externals thoroughly revamped.

“Do it once, do it right” — as the adage goes. 

crowley 15 Years · 10431 comments

What takes them so long?! ...it’s the same with the Touch Bar - it never could get hold because the external keyboards didn’t have it. It’s either all or nothing - if a function is not widely supported it will not get used and vanish again. 

Doesn't really apply to FaceID, it's passive functionality, and is integrated into a broader authentication. 

neilm 16 Years · 1001 comments

What takes them so long?! ...it’s the same with the Touch Bar - it never could get hold because the external keyboards didn’t have it. It’s either all or nothing - if a function is not widely supported it will not get used and vanish again. 

The Touch Bar never became popular because most users simply don’t see much value in it. 


Extending the TB to external keyboards would have been problematic because of the need to encrypt the fingerprint sensor’s communication with the host Mac. Then there are also the issues of cost and compatibility with third party keyboards.

I don’t mind the TB on my 2016 MBP, but I wouldn’t miss it either — as long as there’s a fingerprint sensor. Put it down as an interesting experiment that just didn’t work out.

sellerington 11 Years · 91 comments

Iteration is one of Apple's biggest strengths. A newly redesigned iMac will sell very well, especially with the Apple silicon be it M1 or otherwise. The follow up iMac with Face ID will have another USP to boost sales yet again.

Apple design is fantastic but their marketing is brilliant. It is always exciting to see new products being released but its always in the back of my mind that something even better will be along soon. I think this could be a very exciting year with some very desirable new iMacs and MacBooks being released. New designs plus new silicon will be very hard to resist. Face ID was nice on my iPhone until wearing a mask became part of my life and whilst it may be nice to have on a Mac I can wait for that.