Apple delays Face ID for 2021 iMac
Reportedly, Apple's 2021 redesign for the iMac will not include Face ID as previously expected.
Apple's 27-inch iMac
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.
Apple's 27-inch iMac
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.
Comments
“Do it once, do it right” — as the adage goes.
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.
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.
Those are different. FaceID is an OS level authentication feature, and doesn't really need much in the way of application support. It would be useful on iMacs - very much so - but I don't think the "will not get used and vanish" is a scenario here.
For the touch bar, I agree with you. When a lot of users don't have it - only some of the Macbook Pro users do - applications will often ignore it. Given that Apple has not brought it to standalone keyboards - like the one for iMac - or even the Macbook Air, it's obvious they're not planning for it to be a commonly used feature. App developers notice, and thus ignore it.
You can have the fingerprint sensor without the touch bar - e.g. the Macbook Air and the lower end Macbook Pros do.
Surely this is the case for almost every company?
Really? Most people even here don't upgrade their iPhones with every iteration, and I'd assume even less so with Macs as they're higher value generally. Is someone really going to spend $3000 one year then another $3000 the next just for FaceID? A few might but its definitely not a "substantial number". Why FaceID hasn't come to the desktop Mac before now though I'm not sure. Would be a really nice value-add option, though unlocking with the watch is just as quick as FaceID on the phone.
I have always liked the concept of a Touch Bar. But not having used one extensively myself, I’m not the best judge. Having read that people hate the Touch Bar because they keep touching it by accident, I understand now that this is a serious interface issue that must be addressed.
I hope Apple does not give up on the Touch Bar. But they need to bring a more tactile interface to it. If not, perhaps the best thing to do is to remove it and start from scratch. The reputation of the Touch Bar can’t take much more negative user experience.
My MacBook Air dates from 2011 so that should be my next upgrade and I will be more than happy with being to unlock via my Watch Series 5 (which I just upgraded to from a Series 3).