I officially hate FaceID on the iPad

[Rogifan]

Marco Arment (@marcoarment)
11/17/18, 4:27 PM
Yup. The best solution would be to have multiple sets of cameras, but that’s probably cost-prohibitive.

If there’s going to be only one, I think they picked a bad spot. I’d put it on the same side, but about 3/4 of the way toward the sleep/wake button rather than in the middle.
https://twitter.com/yatil/status/1063920554468499457?s=21

This is something that annoys me about Marco. Saying Apple should have done X instead of Y without thinking it through or without even entertaining the idea that Apple thought about it and determined their solution was the best. No Apple doesn’t always get it right but often times those picking nits makes it sound like Apple designers/engineers just slap stuff together and don’t spend any time thinking about what they’re doing. In the case of the Face ID camera it’s not just used for that. It’s also used as the front facing camera, for Animoji, FaceTime, etc. How would sticking the camera in the corner affect those things? And then what about the speakers? If the camera was in the corner where would the speaker go? If the camera was moved to the long end where would the pencil magnet/charger go? Yeah I had a few times where my left hand was covering the camera but now I’ve learned to adjust how I hold it and I don’t have that issue anymore.

 

[AutomaticApple]

Yes I know, deal with it or move on, but I hate it. I hold the iPad in landscape mode 99% of the time. Any time I’m needed to log into something or even just unlock my iPad I see the “camera covered” and I have to lift my hand up and then let it unlock or log in for me. I know, first world problems, but this is a first world problems forum so I’m making mine known. I really hate this and wish there was another camera somewhere that would fix this problem for me (even though I know that’s not really feasible).

I personally don’t agree. I tried holding one at an Apple Store. Even when holding one normally with my left hand, it worked.

 

[dojoman]

You're holding it wrong!!

 

[sunking101]

You're holding it wrong!!

You're looking at it wrong!

 

[1rottenapple]

Yes I know, deal with it or move on, but I hate it. I hold the iPad in landscape mode 99% of the time. Any time I’m needed to log into something or even just unlock my iPad I see the “camera covered” and I have to lift my hand up and then let it unlock or log in for me. I know, first world problems, but this is a first world problems forum so I’m making mine known. I really hate this and wish there was another camera somewhere that would fix this problem for me (even though I know that’s not really feasible).

You know I am experiencing the same problem using the 12.9 on the bed. Like it takes a second scan. So it seems I have to adapt to Face ID and not Face ID adapt to me.
[doublepost=1543461402][/doublepost]I wonder if putting the camera on the corner is a better solution.

 

[eyeseeyou]

Exactly this. Moving the thumb a bit is certainly less motion than putting it on the home button.

People just don’t like change.

Yet this thread is literally filled with comments stating they love the "change" from a home button to face id lol

 

[tps3443]

I love FaceID! Very smooth for me. I just wish I could use FaceID when the device is “First Powered On” it makes you type in a passcode, and then subsequent unlocks allow FaceID.

FaceID is awesome though! Love it.

 

[Johnny365]

^ That's how it was with TouchID and if it's been inactive for X amount of days.

 

[aevan]

Yet this thread is literally filled with comments stating they love the "change" from a home button to face id lol

Yes, obviously, some people like change when it’s for the better.

I was talking about the people who dislike Face Id just because it’s different from what they’re used to. I should’ve written “some people just don’t like change”. Because that’s, in my opinion, the dominant reason why some people dislike Face Id.

 

[tps3443]

Having no home button is cool. If you really want a home button, then buy a 2nd gen iPad Pro. Other then that, I think the iPads look great without it.

Plus, you can use your iPad Pro 3rd gen as a wireless touch display with a Mac Mini. And the iPad does look like a legit monitor, only smaller.

 

[TomOSeven]

The problem I have with it is that I don't want a camera pointing at my face all the time, it just makes me feel uneasy.

I know it's much less likely on an iOS device that there's unauthorized access to the camera compared to Android or Windows, but I just dislike it on a gut level.

Of course I realise that doesn't make sense to people who'd trust Apple with their lives and think they 'have nothing to hide' (lol), but I won't ever use facial recognition.

 

[Marshall73]

The problem I have with it is that I don't want a camera pointing at my face all the time, it just makes me feel uneasy.

I know it's much less likely on an iOS device that there's unauthorized access to the camera compared to Android or Windows, but I just dislike it on a gut level.

Of course I realise that doesn't make sense to people who'd trust Apple with their lives and think they 'have nothing to hide' (lol), but I won't ever use facial recognition.

So, you don't use mobile devices or laptops full stop? Or do you cover every camera on the devices with tape? Also most mobile devices are now using attention awareness, so they are all 'watching' you now.

 

[TomOSeven]

Or do you cover every camera on the devices with tape?

My Thinkpad has a camera guard built in, and I tape the front cameras on my phone and iPad.

 

[Marshall73]

My Thinkpad has a camera guard built in, and I tape the front cameras on my phone and iPad.

Do you also plug up the microphones on your devices too? Big brother is listening. Where do you buy your tinfoil hats from these days?

 

[AppleHaterLover]

The problem I have with it is that I don't want a camera pointing at my face all the time, it just makes me feel uneasy.

I know it's much less likely on an iOS device that there's unauthorized access to the camera compared to Android or Windows, but I just dislike it on a gut level.

Of course I realise that doesn't make sense to people who'd trust Apple with their lives and think they 'have nothing to hide' (lol), but I won't ever use facial recognition.

This makes zero sense at all.

iPads have had front-facing cameras since 2011. iPhones have had front-facing cameras since 2010.

Your current and prior iPads and iPhones have had, for at least 8 years and counting, high-quality cameras and noise-cancelling microphones that would be able to record a very accurate and HD portrait of your.... me-time if that’s what you’re concerned about.

Yet the problem is that now there is an IR flood illuminator?

Give me a break.

 

[subjonas]

This makes zero sense at all.

iPads have had front-facing cameras since 2011. iPhones have had front-facing cameras since 2010.

Your current and prior iPads and iPhones have had, for at least 8 years and counting, high-quality cameras and noise-cancelling microphones that would be able to record a very accurate and HD portrait of your.... me-time if that’s what you’re concerned about.

Yet the problem is that now there is an IR flood illuminator?

Give me a break.

No, not the IR flood illuminator. He/she is saying that front facing cameras have always been the issue, hence why they cover them up. And now with Face ID, if one covers up the camera, one has to enter in the pass code every time. I understand and agree with the creepiness of a camera pointed at me all the time. Touch ID strikes a balance of convenience and proactivity and non-creepiness that I prefer.

Do you also plug up the microphones on your devices too? Big brother is listening. Where do you buy your tinfoil hats from these days?

I’ll jump in. First, I think the amount of faith people put in companies and strangers is staggering, but that’s my opinion and their prerogative. We all give up a lot of privacy for the sake of convenience, but everyone has a different balance that they’re comfortable with. But we need to keep in mind that companies aren’t infallible. Everything is hackable, it’s just a matter of time. And in the end, as much as companies tout privacy as one of their core values, their existence (aka money) is the core value that trumps the rest. Who knows, it may be unsafe now, or it may be safe for years to come, but then putting a sticker over an otherwise unused camera is not any kind of inconvenience.

So about the mic—a mic is much more difficult and inconvenient to block. But that’s ok, I personally would much rather risk people hearing me than seeing me. If they’re listening, there’s very low probability they’ll hear anything I don’t want them to hear. If they’re watching, there’s very high probability. So it goes back to that balance we all have to strike. Since a camera is easy to block (simply put a sticker or slide cover over it), and since I almost never use a front camera anyway, the risk to inconvenience ratio is worth doing so for me. For the mic, the ratio is not worth it. Of course, no one ideally wants even the slightest possibility of being listened to or watched, but for everyone that ratio is going to be different. And I guess the differing amount of faith we each have in companies/humanity is a factor too.

 

[TomOSeven]

Where do you buy your tinfoil hats from these days?

I love how there are countless, well documented examples of warrantless mass-surveillance since 2001 and people STILL somehow think once is paranoid for not having blind faith in every tech company out there.

"Sure they read your emails, texts, use your metadata, sell you ads against keywords your microphone picks up. Sure, they use biometric data and call data. Of course American ISPs have sold user data to Indian scam call centers. But thinking they'd use the camera? How paranoid!"

And honestly, I don't even really think my iPad's camera is a big safety risk. It just makes me uneasy having a camera pointed at my face, and the effort to cover said camera is completely minuscule.

 

[sracer]

I love how there are countless, well documented examples of warrantless mass-surveillance since 2001 and people STILL somehow think once is paranoid for not having blind faith in every tech company out there.

"Sure they read your emails, texts, use your metadata, sell you ads against keywords your microphone picks up. Sure, they use biometric data and call data. Of course American ISPs have sold user data to Indian scam call centers. But thinking they'd use the camera? How paranoid!"

And honestly, I don't even really think my iPad's camera is a big safety risk. It just makes me uneasy having a camera pointed at my face, and the effort to cover said camera is completely minuscule.

I find it quite interesting that you're getting flack about privacy concerns (about a legitimate concern) from people who trust Apple in part because of Apple's claims of protecting privacy (which is only the appearance of protection).

and we won't get into the issue of the government requiring all internet-connected consumer devices to be equipped with cameras and microphones.

 

[eyeseeyou]

Yes, obviously, some people like change when it’s for the better.

I was talking about the people who dislike Face Id just because it’s different from what they’re used to. I should’ve written “some people just don’t like change”. Because that’s, in my opinion, the dominant reason why some people dislike Face Id.

Also just because people get used to faceid and are not complaining about it publicly doesn’t necessarily mean it’s better.

Imo since you still have to touch the iPhone/iPad to start the unlock process I feel that the home button is still better because it’s one less step.

 

[tps3443]

Also just because people get used to faceid and are not complaining about it publicly doesn’t necessarily mean it’s better.

Imo since you still have to touch the iPhone/iPad to start the unlock process I feel that the home button is still better because it’s one less step.

You don’t have to touch a thing, or even press a button.

My iPad screen can be totally off, and I say “Hey Siri” open whatever I want, Siri comes up, iPad unlocks with Face ID, and whatever I requested has already opened in way less time than I could type a pass code if it was needed.

No button presses, no screen touches, no passcodes needed at all. It is awesome!

With my iPad screen off and locked, I say “hey Siri open PUBG” and FaceID has already registered while the app is opening..Before you even know it your iPad is unlocked, PUBG is already opened lol huh?

It’s pretty cool. You should try it.

 

[eyeseeyou]

You don’t have to touch a thing. My iPad screen can be totally off, and I say “Hey Siri” open whatever I want, Siri comes up, iPad unlocks with Face ID, and whatever I requested has already opened in less time than I could type a pass code if it was needed.

No button presses, no screen touch, no passcodes needed.

Just, “hey Siri open Safari” or whatever you may want at the time.

I stand corrected.

I’ve personally never intentionally used Siri to unlock my x or XR and honestly this is the first I’ve ever heard of anyone using Siri for that specific purpose. I personally only use Siri when I ask it questions which never involve launching apps. Maybe I’ll try that more but in my experience saying hey Siri usually triggers both my phone and my iPad which is crazy annoying but now I’m getting way off topic.

 

[tps3443]

I stand corrected.

I’ve personally never intentionally used Siri to unlock my x or XR and honestly this is the first I’ve ever heard of anyone using Siri for that specific purpose. I personally only use Siri when I ask it questions which never involve launching apps. Maybe I’ll try that more but in my experience saying hey Siri usually triggers both my phone and my iPad which is crazy annoying but now I’m getting way off topic.

Yes it is easy. My iPhone SE is a mess. You’ve gotta press the power button, then type in pass code or use thumb.

 

[JagdTiger]

Yes I know, deal with it or move on, but I hate it. I hold the iPad in landscape mode 99% of the time. Any time I’m needed to log into something or even just unlock my iPad I see the “camera covered” and I have to lift my hand up and then let it unlock or log in for me. I know, first world problems, but this is a first world problems forum so I’m making mine known. I really hate this and wish there was another camera somewhere that would fix this problem for me (even though I know that’s not really feasible).

Apple could just go back to fingerprints.

Think about it this way the RFID chips will be making the rounds soon so that will be how you next iPad wil work...you will be monitored daily.

 

[subjonas]

Yes it is easy. My iPhone SE is a mess. You’ve gotta press the power button, then type in pass code or use thumb.

Do you mean your SE is broken? Normal operation is you press the home button to turn on and unlock your phone simultaneously.

 

[tps3443]

Do you mean your SE is broken? Normal operation is you press the home button to turn on and unlock your phone simultaneously.

Your right, no it’s not broken. I just love how my iPad can open without touching or pressing anything lol.