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iPhone augmented reality camera details leak

Apple internal software update for HomePod goes public, reveals clues about iPhone’s AR future

iPhone augmented reality camera details leak

Details about the next iPhone specs have surfaced on Twitter thanks to a leaked software update for Apple's upcoming HomePod smart speaker.

When the internal update went live on the public interwebs, two developers, Steve Troughton-Smith and Guilherme Rambo, caught the slip and shared their findings with the Twitterverse.

Overall, the information suggests that the new iPhone has reduced bezels and loses the physical home button. Screen lock could be controlled by facial recognition that could also double as a pay mechanic.

Smile! You’re on camera!

That facial recognition is handled by a referenced depth-sensing front-facing camera, which would also be incredibly useful for AR. The technology could enable more advanced Snapchat-like ‘stickers’ that animate closely with the user’s likeness.

Troughton-Smith found reference to something called ARFaceAnchor, as well as code regarding facial expressions. It isn’t clear whether this is for detecting the user’s expression or rendering animation frames. Either way, this could be useful for generating AR avatars.

With the launch of the next iPhone likely to happen next month, we won’t have long to wait to find out more.

This article was originally published on our sister-site TheVirtualReport.biz.


Managing Editor

Steve is an award-winning editor and copywriter with nearly 25 years’ experience specialising in consumer technology and video games. He was part of a BAFTA nominated developer studio. In addition to editing TheVirtualReport.biz, Steve contributes to BeyondGames.biz, PocketGamer.biz, PCGamesInsider.biz and BlockchainGamer.biz, as well as creating marketing content for a range of SMEs and agencies.