In iOS 11, Apple May Silent Notification Sounds At Certain Times
Facial recognition technology on the so-called “iPhone 8” might be used to silent notification sounds automatically, according to a new leak.
People continue to find new details about Apple’s next flagship device in the recently discovered firmware for the upcoming HomePod speaker. The latest finding comes from Brazilian iOS developer Guilherme Rambo who posted the news on Twitter.
Discovered code seems to link a “TLAttentionAwarenessObserver” class to changes in volume. Additionally, one code string includes the term “supportsAttentuatingTonesForAttentionDetected,” while another uses “updateAudioVolumeDynamicallyForAlert.”
As AppleInsider rightly notes, Rambo’s findings don’t mean the feature will actually show up in the public version of iOS 11. Also, it’s possible the lines of code have absolutely nothing to do with facial recognition technology.
They explain:
While it’s not certain that auto-silenced notifications will appear in the shipping version of iOS 11, or even that the code refers to eye detection, the known presence of facial recognition on the “iPhone 8” would make that feature relatively easy to implement. Other code references suggest that Apple’s technology will at least be able to automatically unlock a phone, and will likely serve functions throughout iOS, including Apple Pay.
In recent weeks, an expanding number of leaks have suggested the 5.8-inch iPhone 8 will offer facial recognition software for authentication. The move, if true, could be a necessary, but a controversial one.
Apple’s original plan was to embed Touch ID into the OLED display on the device. Unfortunately, continued production issues are said to have forced the company to make a switch.
On July 31, developer Steven Troughton-Smith was the first to discover firmware for Apple’s new HomePod speaker, which arrives in stores in December. Since then, developers around the globe have kept digging and found information on upcoming new products.
The findings include:
Apple’s expected to announce its 2017 iPhone lineup in just a few weeks. At the same time, the first public version of iOS 11 should be released.