HomePod Firmware Reveals Possible SmartCam and Apple Pay Face ID Features

[Maura]

The HomePod firmware continues to give up the goodies in terms of secrets about the forthcoming iPhone 8. 9to5 Mac reports that Guilherme Rambo has discovered evidence that the phone will support a new SmartCam scene-selection feature, with the code showing that the new camera app may use SmartCam to capture the best photos for specific scenarios such as Baby, Bright Stage, Document, Fireworks, Foliage, and more.

Other code found in the HomePod firmware reiterates recent rumours that Apple has replaced Touch ID on the iPhone 8 with facial recognition as a means of authenticating Apple Pay. This has been the most contentious issue when it comes to iPhone 8 rumours over the past few months, with many conflicting reports, including the most recent ones that suggested that Apple had found a way to embed the Touch ID sensor in the OLED display. However, it does indeed now seem that Apple has gone for the possibly more adventurous option of using facial recognition for all security and payment matters.

This looks like another win for KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who said back in early July that the iPhone 8 would use facial recognition technology, as did Bloomberg.

Source: iPhone 8 camera may support ‘SmartCam’ scene selection, Apple Pay Face ID