Do you trust Google to scan your face? Claims Android could get system similar to Apple’s Face ID

Soon, facial recognition technology could be more commonplace in Android phones. 

Android Q, the next version of Google‘s mobile operating system, is expected to come with software akin to Apple’s Face ID that lets users unlock the phone with their face. 

Code hidden in an early version of Android Q hints at the feature, according to XDA-Developers. 

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In addition to unlocking a device, the software would allow users to authorize a purchase or sign into an app with their face.  

Apple is widely regarded as the first to ship a device with secure facial recognition technology. 

It did this with the iPhone X, released in 2017, which uses Face ID to let users unlock their phone with their face. 

It’s not the first time Android has taken a stab at facial recognition technology, however. 

Smartphone companies like OnePlus, Samsung, Huawei and Xiaomi have developed software like ‘face unlock’ and ‘Trusted Face’ that uses facial recognition to unlock devices. 

But as XDA pointed out, those systems aren’t as secure because they’re not native to the device. 

It’s not the first time Android has taken a stab at facial recognition technology. OnePlus, Samsung, Huawei and Xiaomi have developed software like ‘face unlock’ and ‘Trusted Face’

Since software like face unlock was rolled out, reports have shown that it can be easily duped by black-and-white photographs and mannequins. 

Shipping Android Q with facial recognition software built in will likely result in it being more secure.

Additionally, more and more Android phones will be able to accommodate facial recognition technology if they have the necessary sensors and cameras.  

There’s no guarantee facial recognition software will make it into the official Android Q release, as Google has yet to confirm that it’s developing the technology. 

It comes as Google may be bringing facial biometrics to one of its apps. 

HOW APPLE’S FACE ID WORKS 

Face ID uses a TrueDepth front-facing camera on the iPhone X, which has multiple components. 

A Dot Projector projects more than 30,000 invisible dots onto your face to map its structure.

The dot map is then read by an infrared camera and the structure of your face is relayed to the A11 Bionic chip in the iPhone X, where it is turned into a mathematical model. 

When FaceID is used, a dot projector projects more than 30,000 invisible dots onto your face to map its structure

The A11 chip then compares your facial structure to the facial scan stored in the iPhone X during the setup process. 

Face ID uses infrared to scan your face, so it works in low lighting conditions and in the dark. 

It will only unlock your device when you look in the direction of the iPhone X with your eyes open.

Phil Schiller, senior vice president of worldwide marketing at Apple, speaks about the Face ID feature to unlock the iPhone X during the company’s event at the new Steve Jobs Theater in Cupertino

Face ID captures both a 3-D and 2-D image of your face using infrared light while you’re looking straight at the camera.  

Five unsuccessful attempts at Face ID will force you to enter a passcode – which you’ll need anyway just to set up facial recognition. 

That requires you to come up with a secure string of digits – or, for extra security, a string of letters and numbers – to protect your privacy.

Face ID also adapts to changes in your appearance over time, so it will continue to recognize you as you grow a beard or grow your hair longer

Code in the latest version of the Google app for Android describes a new ‘Face Match’ feature, according to Android Police. 

‘Face Match’ would scan a users face to serve them up personalized Google Assistant results. 

There are few details about how it would work, but the code suggests that your face profile could be used on several devices. 

It builds on Google’s existing ‘voice match’ feature, which gives users customized Assistant content and preferences based on their voice.