Face detection API found in iOS 5 (Updated)

9to5 Mac has found references to face detection APIs in the current developer build of iOS 5. The iOS 5-exclusive APIs include CIFaceFeature for identifying a the mouth and eyes in an image of a face. Additionally, CIDetector is a resource within the OS meant to process images for the purposes of face detection. Further iOS spelunking turned up hasLeftEyePosition, hasRightEyePosition, hasMouthPosition, leftEyePosition, rightEyePosition and mouthPosition.

Either Apple is building a Cylon Resurrection Ship or iOS 5 will offer some cool face detection options to developers. In either case, it seems Apple's recent purchase of Polar Rose, which specialized in face recognition, is about to pay off.

Update: Face detection was announced as part of iOS 5. It's a fully documented API that developers can use immediately when iOS 5 launches. That is to say, it's not a surprise, at least to some developers.

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Source: http://9to5mac.com/2011/07/25/face-detection-software-and-ap…

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9to5 Mac has found references to face detection APIs in the current developer build of iOS 5. The iOS 5-exclusive APIs include...

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AustiSo

Why not a use for the Faces feature in a future iPhoto for iPad application. Seems very possible since iPhoto is one of the only iLife apps that haven't been ported over yet. Another good indication this might happen is with that whole new Photo Stream iOS 5 is supposed to bring forth so you can share organize, and now even edit your photos across iOS devices. Just my thought.

July 26 2011 at 10:51 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

digitalsedition

CI suggests this is just a regular old Core Image function that has been floating around for some time now.

July 26 2011 at 1:55 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

MetallicAfan

I hope Face Detection is used as a password in the future...
The thing is, the face-detection "password" might need to be updated at a regular periodic interval because changes to the face will mess it up.
Maybe an iPhoto-like categorization of people using faces??

July 26 2011 at 12:34 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Dezine Guide

Wow thats cool :)

July 26 2011 at 12:01 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Todd Jolley

Awesome! I can easily see this being used for 2-factor Authentication to get into the device. You have to put in the correct code AND be the right person to unlock the phone. It could be configured to wipe the phone if the correct code was input, but the wrong person.

July 26 2011 at 11:02 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

1 reply to Todd Jolley's comment

Ray Mas

Interesting idea. I think that would be too much of a hassle though. I think Apple would rather implement a cleaner method. Like automatic face detection everytime you unlock your iPhone, and if it doesn't recognise you, then stays on lock screen and asks for authentication code or Apple ID. But if it does recognise you, then it just unlocks as normal. You could implement a device wipe using a retry limit. That would be cool. With the rumoured voice commands as well, they could add voice and face for auto unlock, and manual code if these fail. Problem is, face and voice detection can be beaten by photos and voice recordings. I guess the added security layer and seamless security is still worth it though.

July 27 2011 at 3:23 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

phil

This is just probably related to the same API's used in Lion's photo booth to pickup facial features and manipulate them while tracking the movement. So probably just updates to the iPad's photo booth app.

July 26 2011 at 10:43 AM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down Reply

reallynotfred

This would be required for some of the FrontRow features, not for end developers.

July 26 2011 at 10:41 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply