Apple has just announced that its Eye Tracking technology will land on iPhone and iPad with iOS 18. Its operation is similar to that of the Vision Pro, with the device’s camera which detects what the user is looking at to allow them to click on an element on the screen. A feature aimed at people with disabilities.
Apple continues to quietly tease the new features that will arrive with iOS 18. Unsurprisingly, we already know that the upcoming update will focus on artificial intelligence, making it possible in particular to transcribe conversations in real time. Good news, the Cupertino company has not forgotten people with disabilities. It presented new accessibility features yesterday, including one that was particularly impressive.
L’Eye Tracking will speak to all those who have followed the Vision Pro news closely. As a reminder, the headset detects, using an integrated camera system, the user’s eye movements to automatically identify where they are looking. This feature is preparing to arrive on iOS 18, to allow people with reduced mobility to use their iPhone and iPad more easily.
Controlling your iPhone with your eyes will soon be possible
In the video accompanying the ad, we see that you just have to look at the element you want to click on for the screen to highlight it. By looking at it for a short time, the device will interpret this as a click. Everything seems particularly fluid, without any physical movement being necessary on the part of the user. A major step forward for everyone involved.
On the same subject — iOS 18: iPhones will finally offer this very practical AI functionality, months after Samsung and Google
Unlike the Vision pro, however, the iPhone and iPad will have to make do with a single camera, the selfie sensor, to function. Apple specifies that it will be enough to install iOS 18 to benefit from it and that its technology “does not require additional hardware or accessories.” Note that other very interesting features have also been announced, notably Music Haptics allowing hearing impaired people to experience pieces of music via various vibrations.