Skip to main content

Google's 'Project Toscana' to Upgrade Face Unlock System on Pixel Phones, Chromebooks: Report


Google Pixel smartphones offer both fingerprint scanning and face unlock capabilities, but the company now appears to be working on taking facial authentication to the next level. Google is reportedly developing an advanced face unlock system known as “Project Toscana” for future Pixel smartphones and Chromebooks. The upcoming feature is said to offer performance on par with Face ID available on Apple's iPhone models. The Project Toscana is said to be designed to work efficiently in low lighting conditions, using infrared (IR) technology.

Google's Advanced Face Unlock System: What We Know So Far

Android Authority, citing an anonymous source, reports that Google is developing an advanced facial recognition feature code named “Project Toscana” for its Pixel handsets and Chromebooks. The company reportedly tested this hardware upgrade in Mountain View, with UX testers on a Pixel phone featuring a single hole-punch camera cutout and on two Chromebooks with external cameras.

Google said to have tested the feature in different lighting conditions, and the Project Toscana reportedly "worked just as quickly as Face ID on the iPhone". It is not confirmed which technology Google is using for Project Toscana, but the report suggests that it could use infrared sensors.

The new setup is likely to offer a significant upgrade over the current face unlock setup available on the Google Pixel devices. This aligns with previous rumours.

Google used a combination of radar sensors with IR cameras to enable secure 3D face authentication on Pixel 4. The company introduced an improved face unlock feature with the Pixel 7 that works with the front-facing camera, but it couldn't authenticate payments.

The Pixel 8 and newer models offer a more capable face unlock system that supports Google Pay, banking apps and others, but this system has performance issues in low-light conditions. Google's Project Toscana is expected to address these shortcomings by providing efficient face unlock in all lighting environments.

The new Pixel 11 is likely to debut the new technology. The Chromebooks might get it later this year. We can expect Google to make announcements regarding this at its Google I/O. The event is confirmed to take place on May 19 and May 20.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Redmi Note 15 Pro 5G, Redmi Note 15 Pro+ 5G Launching Today: Know Price in India, Features, Specifications and More

Redmi Note 15 Pro 5G and Note 15 Pro+ 5G are all set to launch in India today. The new Redmi Note series smartphones are already available in global markets and will go on sale via Amazon. Ahead of the launch, the Chinese electronics giant has revealed several details about the smartphones. The company recently announced that the lineup features 200-megapixel rear camera units and 6.83-inch AMOLED displays. The Redmi Note 15 Pro 5G runs on a MediaTek chipset, while the Redmi Note 15 Pro+ 5G has a Snapdragon chipset under the hood. Read on for a comprehensive overview of the Redmi Note 15 Pro 5G and Redmi Note 15 Pro+ 5G, their expected prices in India, features, and detailed specifications. Redmi Note 15 Pro Series India Launch Details The launch of Redmi Note 15 Pro series will take place at 11:00am IST on Thursday. For a few days, the Xiaomi sub-brand has been teasing the lineup through its social media channels and a dedicated microsite on its website. Amazon has also created a dedi...
Post a Comment
Read more

Apple Reaches 2.5 Billion Active Devices Worldwide as India Becomes a Key Growth Market

Apple's ecosystem now includes about 2.5 billion active devices around the world, according to CEO Tim Cook. During its recent earnings call, the Apple executive revealed the Cupertino-based tech giant's breadth of reach across iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and other products. It is seen as a new milestone for the company and reflects sustained demand for its hardware, especially the iPhone, in the last quarter, which was described as “staggering”. Apple's Earnings Call Revelations The 2.5 billion figure for active devices marks a significant milestone for Apple's ecosystem, Tim Cook said while revealing the company's fiscal 2026 first-quarter financial results (via CNBC). Previously, the company recorded 2.35 billion active devices in January 2025, up from 2.2 billion active devices in 2024. This translates to roughly 150,000,000 new devices added to Apple's active install base between 2024–2025 and 2025–2026. The figure includes key Apple products like iPhon...
Post a Comment
Read more

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Could Support Android Virtualisation Framework; Design Spotted in Leaked Renders

Samsung Galaxy S26 series is expected to be launched by the South Korean smartphone maker in the fourth week of February. The lineup will reportedly include the standard Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26+, and the flagship Galaxy S26 Ultra. While the tech giant has yet to confirm its rumoured unveiling, the Ultra's specifications and design have been surfacing online for a while. Now, a leaked code of an Android 16-based One UI 8.5 build suggests that the handset will ship with Android Visualisation Framework, allowing users to run developer tools. Additionally, the purported renders of the phone have been leaked, offering a peek into its design. Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Features, Design (Expected) Android Authority reports that the leaked One UI 8.5 build for the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra suggests that the smartphone will be launched with Android Visualisation Framework support. This means the handset will be able to run “proper” development tools, along with scripting utilities and ...
Post a Comment
Read more