Apple Launches Beta Version Of Sign-In With Apple

Apple continues to make progress with biometrics and facial recognition for device sign-in purposes.

According to a report from 9to5Mac.com, “when you visit iCloud in Safari on a device running the iOS, iPadOS, or macOS betas, you’ll see a new pop-up asking if you’d like to sign-in using your Apple ID with biometrics.” What that means is this, according to this particular account: “On a Face ID-equipped device, this means signing in with Face ID, while other devices, including Touch Bar-capable MacBook Pros, use Touch ID.” Referencing visuals of the process, the report notes, “The above screenshots show the Face ID sign-in process on an iPhone XS Max running the developer beta of iOS 13.”

As facial recognition gains more consumer use, the biometric authentication methods also is gaining more focus from politicians and regulators. For instance, members of Congress supported a plan to draft legislation aimed at the use of facial recognition software by law enforcement. Facial recognition technology is now accessible to one in four law enforcement agencies across the country, according to a study by Georgetown University Law Center. Also, the use of databases of drivers’ license photos means that about half of adults in the United States are included in searches.

And as that happens, facial recognition is also getting technological boosts. For example, smart glasses company Vuzix has developed eyewear with artificial intelligence (AI)-powered technology that can recognize faces in a crowd. The technology was developed in partnership with software developer NNTC, and it will work with the company’s Blade smart glasses, which were introduced earlier this year at CES. The technology is mainly meant for law enforcement, although it does have some consumer applications.

The product is called the iFalcon Face Control Mobile, and Vuzix says it will match faces against a database stored on a wearable computer with a headset.