by Jason Snell
Apple firmware release may reveal iPhone plans
Nobody digs into Apple software releases like Steve Troughton-Smith. And this is a big one. Apparently Apple released a firmware download for the HomePod (not due until the end of the year!) on its servers, and inside that firmware there’s information about future iPhone hardware and support for an infrared face unlock feature code-named Pearl ID:
I can confirm reports that HomePod’s firmware reveals the existence of upcoming iPhone’s infra-red face unlock in BiometricKit and elsewhere pic.twitter.com/yLsgCx7OTZ
— Steve T-S (@stroughtonsmith) July 31, 2017
Somewhere, Mark Gurman of Bloomberg nods his head. No, wait, not somewhere—just on Twitter:
The infrared is so the Face Unlock on the iPhone 8 can work in the dark/at night. Our earlier story detailing it https://t.co/SRLBsHoiij
— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) July 31, 2017
In addition, outline icons that appear to show the shape of the new iPhone are present:
Me too. New bezel-less form factor as well pic.twitter.com/Y0RrSOk2OO
— Guilherme Rambo (@_inside) July 31, 2017
And if you’re interested in HomePod skinny, it looks like the HomePod’s screen is an LED matrix that could possibly display simple symbols:
The center part of the HomePod surface appears to be an LED matrix and not just big LEDs—could perhaps display shapes/symbols 🤔 /cc @gruber pic.twitter.com/IBJKulMqHI
— Steve T-S (@stroughtonsmith) July 28, 2017