Apple added face detection API to iOS 5?

By Rene Ritchie
last updated

According to Mark Gurman at 9to5Mac, Apple has added face detection API in iOS 5. Apple had previously used face detection on the Mac for everything from iPhoto's Faces feature to OS X Lion's advanced PhotoBooth effects, and along the way bought the company behind it, Polar Rose.

We have taken a look at these iOS 5-exclusive APIs and they are highly sophisticated. The first, called CIFaceFeature, can determine through an image where a person’s mouth and eyes are located. The second API, CIDetector, is a resource within the operating system that processes images for face detection.

So while we might see the built in iOS PhotoBooth get the same feature boost as Lion, we could also see other novelty apps, and games, and perhaps one day facial recognition for security. ("Oh, hi Steve. Unlocking your passwords now.")

Rene Ritchie
Rene Ritchie
Contributor

Rene Ritchie is one of the most respected Apple analysts in the business, reaching a combined audience of over 40 million readers a month. His YouTube channel, Vector, has over 90 thousand subscribers and 14 million views and his podcasts, including Debug, have been downloaded over 20 million times. He also regularly co-hosts MacBreak Weekly for the TWiT network and co-hosted CES Live! and Talk Mobile. Based in Montreal, Rene is a former director of product marketing, web developer, and graphic designer. He's authored several books and appeared on numerous television and radio segments to discuss Apple and the technology industry. When not working, he likes to cook, grapple, and spend time with his friends and family.