Apple is testing a feature that would allow its Face ID facial recognition system to work with masks and without the Apple Watch.
The iPhone maker on Friday released the first iOS 15.4 developer beta version – the version used in final testing before commercial release. This contains an update that gives users the ability to use Face ID with masks on and without an Apple Watch nearby.
Face ID allows users to unlock the iPhone, log in to supported apps and services and verify purchases on the App Store and other compatible platforms. The technology, using the iPhone's TrueDepth front camera, combines data from the user's eyes and other features.
Until now, users have not been able to unlock their iPhones while wearing masks – now an everyday item due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Apple has received criticism for not fully addressing the face mask issue using the iPhone alone. It did try a fix on iOS 14.5 last April – but that required the user to be wearing an Apple Watch with at least the watchOS 7.4 operating system installed.
Competitors, notably Samsung Electronics, gives users the option to use only an iris scan to unlock their devices, thereby bypassing masks.
There had been talk of Apple bringing back its popular Touch ID biometric fingerprint authentication technology on the iPhone 13 series last year.
Apple chief executive Tim Cook poses with a new MacBook Pro at the Apple Special Event at Apple Park in Cupertino, California. Photo: AFP
Apple's Zane Lowe discusses the brand-new Apple Music Voice Plan designed around the power of Siri. Photo: EPA
Apple's Johny Srouji discusses the M1 Pro and M1 Max, the next breakthrough chips for Mac. Photo: EPA
Apple's Shruti Haldea presents the completely reimagined MacBook Pro powered by the brand new M1 Pro and M1 Max chips. Photo: EPA
Apple's John Ternus introduces the MacBook Pro with all-new M1 Pro and M1 Max, available in 14 and 16-inch. Photo: EPA
The new 14 and 16-inch MacBook Pro powered by M1 Pro and M1 Max, with an expansive Liquid Retina XDR display with ProMotion. Photo: EPA
The HomePod mini works with iPhone to hand off music or receive personalised listening suggestions when a device is near by. Photo: EPA
The third generation of AirPods featuring spatial audio, longer battery life and an all-new design. They are resistant to sweat and water. Photo: EPA
Apple chief executive Tim Cook at Apple Park. Photo: EPA
A survey of Apple users last July found almost half those polled said they would like to have Touch ID placed “under the screen” – presumably where the home button was placed in previous iPhones.
Apple made its announcement about iOS 15.4 beta – which also includes new emojis and the ability to copy text from objects using the camera while in the Notes or Reminders apps – alongside the release of Universal Control in developer beta releases of the macOS Monterey 12.3 and iPadOS 15.4 operating systems
Universal Control is a long-awaited feature that allows the keyboard and mouse of a Mac to be used on an iPad by just placing the iPad next to the Mac.
This comes shortly after Apple on Tuesday quietly released a new portal to address privacy issues, amid mounting concerns on its AirTag device trackers.
The Personal Safety User Guide for Apple devices details what users need to do in the event they suspect their privacy and security are at risk. It contains pointers on how Apple's security ecosystem works, how to keep personal information safe and what actions can be taken in the event of a breach.
We are raising the bar on privacy for our users and the industry, and hope others will follow
Apple representative
AirTags was launched last April, but critics have expressed concern that the devices could be used by stalkers. The company has said that information – including identity and location – on AirTags is encrypted and no one, Apple included, can access it.
In June, the iPhone maker issued a software update by adjusting the time period that an AirTag which is no longer with its owner beeps to deter abuse.
Last December, Apple unveiled an Android app that will help users who do not use iPhones or iPads to detect unexpected AirTags and other devices compatible with Apple's Find My network that are near them.
“We are raising the bar on privacy for our users and the industry, and hope others will follow,” an Apple representative told The National at the time.
Apple released its financial results for its fiscal 2022 first quarter on Thursday, in which it posted record quarterly sales and net profit, despite supply chain challenges.
It also retained its position as the world's most valuable brand at $355.1 billion, according to a report from Brand Finance on Wednesday.
Emiratisation at work
Emiratisation was introduced in the UAE more than 10 years ago
It aims to boost the number of citizens in the workforce particularly in the private sector.
Growing the number of Emiratis in the workplace will help the UAE reduce dependence on overseas workers
The Cabinet in December last year, approved a national fund for Emirati jobseekers and guaranteed citizens working in the private sector a comparable pension
President Sheikh Khalifa has described Emiratisation as “a true measure for success”.
During the UAE’s 48th National Day, Sheikh Khalifa named education, entrepreneurship, Emiratisation and space travel among cornerstones of national development
More than 80 per cent of Emiratis work in the federal or local government as per 2017 statistics
The Emiratisation programme includes the creation of 20,000 new jobs for UAE citizens
UAE citizens will be given priority in managerial positions in the government sphere
The purpose is to raise the contribution of UAE nationals in the job market and create a diverse workforce of citizens
MATCH INFO
West Ham United 2 (Antonio 73', Ogbonna 90 5')
Tottenham Hotspur 3 (Son 36', Moura 42', Kane 49')
MATCH INFO
Manchester United 1 (Fernandes pen 2') Tottenham Hotspur 6 (Ndombele 4', Son 7' & 37' Kane (30' & pen 79, Aurier 51')
Man of the match Son Heung-min (Tottenham)
ICC Intercontinental Cup
UAE squad Rohan Mustafa (captain), Chirag Suri, Shaiman Anwar, Rameez Shahzad, Mohammed Usman, Adnan Mufti, Saqlain Haider, Ahmed Raza, Mohammed Naveed, Imran Haider, Qadeer Ahmed, Mohammed Boota, Amir Hayat, Ashfaq Ahmed
Fixtures Nov 29-Dec 2
UAE v Afghanistan, Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Hong Kong v Papua New Guinea, Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Ireland v Scotland, Dubai International Stadium
Namibia v Netherlands, ICC Academy, Dubai
Farage on Muslim Brotherhood
Nigel Farage told Reform's annual conference that the party will proscribe the Muslim Brotherhood if he becomes Prime Minister. "We will stop dangerous organisations with links to terrorism operating in our country," he said. "Quite why we've been so gutless about this – both Labour and Conservative – I don't know. “All across the Middle East, countries have banned and proscribed the Muslim Brotherhood as a dangerous organisation. We will do the very same.” It is 10 years since a ground-breaking report into the Muslim Brotherhood by Sir John Jenkins. Among the former diplomat's findings was an assessment that “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” has “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement. The prime minister at the time, David Cameron, who commissioned the report, said membership or association with the Muslim Brotherhood was a "possible indicator of extremism" but it would not be banned.
The specs: 2019 Audi A7 Sportback
Price, base: Dh315,000
Engine: 3.0-litre V6
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 335hp @ 5,000rpm
Torque: 500Nm @ 1,370rpm
Fuel economy 5.9L / 100km
'Worse than a prison sentence'
Marie Byrne, a counsellor who volunteers at the UAE government's mental health crisis helpline, said the ordeal the crew had been through would take time to overcome.
“It was worse than a prison sentence, where at least someone can deal with a set amount of time incarcerated," she said.
“They were living in perpetual mystery as to how their futures would pan out, and what that would be.
“Because of coronavirus, the world is very different now to the one they left, that will also have an impact.
“It will not fully register until they are on dry land. Some have not seen their young children grow up while others will have to rebuild relationships.
“It will be a challenge mentally, and to find other work to support their families as they have been out of circulation for so long. Hopefully they will get the care they need when they get home.”
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
