Apple introduces Optic ID. It is its latest biometric authentication technology, and the first to use iris details. Apple’s Vision Pro Mixed Reality headset, which was announced today at WWDC 2023, will unlock using Optic ID.
Apple claims that Optic ID analyzes the iris of a user through an LED light exposure, and compares it to an Optic ID stored in the Secure Enclave on a device. Mike Rockwell, Apple’s Vice President of Technology Development Group, stated that the system can detect differences in iris patterns even between identical twins. Face ID was first introduced on the iPhone X in 2017.
Apple has two biometric authentication systems: Touch ID and Face ID. Touch ID is a finger print sensor and Face ID authenticates the face with projected IR dots and a Depth Sensor. Apple introduced both of these biometric systems on the iPhone. However, Optic ID is Apple’s third system. Optic ID can be used to unlock Vision Pro and use Apple Pay within your headspace.
Apple claims that Optic ID is “never left your device” and all information is encrypted. It’s not until we have a Vision Pro in our hands that we will know how accurate and quick Optic ID is compared to Face ID. The Samsung Galaxy S8 was one of the last consumer devices to feature an eye scanner. Apple, however, has likely made improvements since then which are more difficult for hackers to defeat.
