Apple AR headset could use iris scanning for user identification

A new report claims that Apple Glass, or other Apple AR headsets, could use iris detection instead of Face ID or Touch ID.

The report, published on Friday morning by The Information claims that two unspecified sources tell them that Apple's forthcoming AR devices will use iris scanning to identify a user when they put the headset on.

"The capability will make it easier for multiple people to use the same device and allow them to quickly make payments inside the headset," claims the publication, "just as iPhones allow people to confirm payments using scans of their fingerprints or faces, the people said."

Most of the details in Friday's report have been rumored before, and some appear to be extrapolation rather than coming from sources inside Apple. For instance, if iris scanning is used as a new biometric tool for user authentication, it is likely that it will also enable Apple Pay use.

Similarly, the inclusion of iris scanning technology — whatever its ultimate use is — has been previously reported. In 2017, Apple bought SensoMotoric Instruments for its eye-tracking technology.

Also in 2021, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported on the technology this acquisition had brought to Apple's head-mounted display (HMD).

"We are still unsure if the Apple HMD can support iris recognition," he wrote, "but the hardware specifications suggest that the HMD's eye-tracking system can support this function."

The sources referred to by The Information include at least some who are claimed to have worked on Apple's project. They say that the design will heavily feature mesh fabrics, aluminum, and glass. It is also rumored to be thinner and lighter than Meta's new Quest Pro.

The sources referred to by The Information include at least some who are claimed to have worked on Apple's project. They say that the design will heavily feature mesh fabrics, alumnium and glass, and that it will be thinner and lighter than Meta's new Quest Pro.

These sources also say that the headset screen will be able to operate at low refresh rates, similar to the way that the iPhone and Apple Watch have always-on displays. In the headset's case, it would be specifically to conserve battery life.

Separately, it's recently been reported that Apple is working on at least three different Apple AR headsets.

One of them, said to be at an advanced stage of development, is expected to launch in 2023. It may come with a pair of 4K OLED displays, plus 15 camera modules around the side, and cost up to $3,000.

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6 Comments

crowley 10431 comments · 15 Years

About 2 years ago

AppleInsider said:

"The capability will make it easier for multiple people to use the same device and allow them to quickly make payments inside the headset," claims the publication, "just as iPhones allow people to confirm payments using scans of their fingerprints or faces, the people said."

Lol. iPads still don't support multiple users and we're expected to believe that this thing will use retina scanning to for multi user login at launch? No chance.

Maybe for unlock, but not for multi user. No chance in hell.

hexclock 1310 comments · 10 Years

PatchyThePirateV.3 said:

Very cool. As long as the iris data is encrypted and stays on the device only.
Just thought of something cool: squint to zoom

I want to crunch up a virtual piece of paper and throw it into a virtual Trash can to delete a file . With the old Mac trash sound effect.

Also, if people wearing glasses with one camera attached were called “glassholes”, what would someone with 15 cameras be called?

FileMakerFeller 1561 comments · 6 Years

JP234 said:

Also, if people wearing glasses with one camera attached were called “glassholes”, what would someone with 15 cameras be called?

Mark Zuckerberg?

Times like this I wish I could like a comment more than once. You nailed it!

mpantone 2245 comments · 18 Years

crowley said:

AppleInsider said:

"The capability will make it easier for multiple people to use the same device and allow them to quickly make payments inside the headset," claims the publication, "just as iPhones allow people to confirm payments using scans of their fingerprints or faces, the people said."

Lol. iPads still don't support multiple users and we're expected to believe that this thing will use retina scanning to for multi user login at launch? No chance.

Maybe for unlock, but not for multi user. No chance in hell.

Yeah, this postulated scenario makes no sense.

First of all, this is a wearable. How many people share their watches, conventional sunglasses, etc.?

Perhaps more importantly, by NOT supporting multiple user accounts, it forces people to buy separate devices. From a revenue generating perspective, Apple has zero motivation in allowing people to share Apple Watches, AR glasses, and other personal devices.

Sometimes I really wonder if there's any thought process that happens before AI writers make these sort of highly unlikely situations that are almost entirely disconnected from reality.

A far more plausible scenario would be iris scanning for user authentication to prevent unauthorized access from anyone but the registered user.

Let's remember that Apple is super gung ho about privacy.