It seems like Google is planning to improve the Face Unlock feature on its Pixel phones. It works fine now, until you’re in a dark room, at which point it… struggles. That’s the case for every face unlock feature that uses the selfie camera, and not advanced hardware for that purpose.
Google seemingly wants to improve Pixel’s Face Unlock feature in low-light settings
Well, Google seems to have a solution for it, at least a partial one. Based on new code found in Android 17 QPR3 Beta 1, spotted by Android Authority, Google is looking to boost Face Unlock in dark environments.
There’s a feature called ‘Face Active Illumination’ that seems to be designed to boost Face Unlock in low-light settings. While that may not be the ultimate replacement for proper face unlocking hardware, it’ll certainly help.
There are actually several code references to Face Active Illumination in Android 17 QPR3 Beta 1. There’s also an option to control the brightness level, but it’s still not clear what exactly Google is doing here.
Another option was spotted: an option that allows you to choose when the feature should become active. There are different toggles included here, ranging from Bedtime to Do Not Disturb.
The interface is still unfinished, so there’s not much to show
The source notes that the interface is still unfinished, so there’s really not much to show here. What we do know is that there will be three brightness levels that you’ll be able to choose from.
Now, if we had to guess, we’d say this feature will use the brightness of the display to improve facial scanning in low-light environments. That’s also not ideal, as the display will become extremely bright in dark rooms, which is not ideal. IR tech is a much better choice.
Well, based on rumors, Google is exploring infrared tech, so it could end up offering advanced facial scanning down the road. It remains to be seen. Face Active Illumination likely has nothing to do with it, though.
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