Apple patent application references Face ID on Mac and new Touch Bar-equipped Magic Keyboard

Apple’s latest patent applications reference Face ID on Mac alongside a new Touch Bar-equipped Magic Keyboard with a built-in Touch ID sensor.

Uncovered within applications submitted to the European Patent Office, Apple appears to be considering bringing across Face ID to the Mac, allowing users to unlock their machine with a simple glance. The technology was first seen with the iPhone X in 2017, and has since expanded to the latest range of iPhone models as well as the latest iPad Pro.

Unlike the current generation Face ID which uses Apple’s TrueDepth camera system and 3D mapping technology to securely unlock a device, the patent notes how a new “a facial detection sensor” that includes “a retina scanner” could perform a retina scan of a users iris to authenticate and unlock a Mac.

The patent filings suggests Apple is developing an upgrading Magic Keyboard to use the MacBook Pro’s sought after Touch Bar and build-in Touch ID sensor.

Apple could simply be patenting ideas to be revisited at a later day, or this could be a hint of a huge upgrade to the Mac line arriving in the near future. Despite the filings Apple isn’t expected to unveil any new Mac models featuring Face ID this year, though with the arrival of a new “completely rethought” modular Mac Pro stated to launch this year, Apple could be preparing the Touch Bar Magic Keyboard to launch alongside the pro machine.

Image: Nathan Simpson for The Apple Post.