Ideas
Explore the world's #1 largest database of ideas and innovations, with 462,195 inspiring examples.
Trend Reports
Discover why 1,242 brands rely on our AI-powered Trend Reports to get better, faster insights.
Newsletter
Join 320,990 subscribers who rely on our weekly newsletter to keep up with need-to-know trends and insights.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Consumer Insights
Uncover major shifts and emerging opportunities with our exclusive PRO research.
Trend Reports
Discover why 1,242 brands rely on our AI-powered Trend Reports to get better, faster insights.
Newsletter
Join 320,990 subscribers who rely on our weekly newsletter to keep up with need-to-know trends and insights.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Advisory & Services
Accelerate innovation and ignite disruptive thinking with our award-winning programs and research.
Trend Reports
Get fast, customized trend reports, presentations and deep dives 20x faster than traditional research.
Plans
Get started today with a free consultation, our self-serve tools, or a dedicated program.
Articles & Magazine
Get inspired with our 4,213 innovation strategy articles, keynote, videos and innovation tools.
Innovation Awards
Trend Hunter’s Innovation Strategy Awards recognize the best innovation tactics gathered from our interviews with some of the world's most notable business leaders, authors and change makers.
Advisory & Services
Accelerate innovation and ignite disruptive thinking with our award-winning programs and research.
Innovation Assessment
Enhance your innovation potential with a deeper understanding of your unique innovation archetype and how your organization benchmarks.
FuturistU
Prepare for the years ahead with 100+ lessons, tactics, tools and frameworks with our full learning database.
Innovation Books
Join 20,000,000 people getting better and faster with our New York Times Bestselling books and keynote videos.
Jeremy Gutsche
Ignite your event or virtual event with our CEO, a NY Times Bestselling Author and one of the top innovation keynote speakers.
Our Team of Speakers & Virtual Presenters
Inspire your group with our most popular speakers on innovation, trends, change and futurism.
Custom Training & Events
Bring the Future Festival experience directly to your team or co-hosted custom event.
Custom Masterclasses
Join the world's leading brands who leverage our custom programs to accelerate innovation.
FuturistU 5-Day Program
Become a Futurist with our immersive 5-Day program at Future Festival World Summit.
Online eLearning
Learn the fundamentals of futurism and trends with 100+ online courses about innovation.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Contact
Get in touch to learn more, ask a question or submit a tip.
About Us
Learn more about Trend Hunter and how we accelerate innovation.
Follow-Us
Join our 3,500,000 social media followers, on the cutting edge.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
FAQ
Get answers to common questions about Trend Hunter.
Community
Stay on the cutting-edge with the help of the Trend Hunter community.
Team
Meet the team trusted by hundreds of leading businesses worldwide.
Jobs
Find opportunities to accelerate your career with the #1 Trend Firm.
News
Catch up on noteworthy Trend Hunter news and media mentions.
Join
Build a portfolio and put your trend-spotting abilities to the test.
Advertising
Supercharge your marketing by partnering with Trend Hunter.
Portfolio
Visit your public portfolio and browse your past articles.
Add a Trend
Write up an article and showcase your trend-spotting skills.
My Trends
Edit your articles and see how they stack up on the leaderboards.
Settings
Edit your profile, connect your social media accounts, and more.
Add a trend, customize your dashboard, or track topics.
Future Festival
Innovation Events
Join the world's top innovators at our in person events.
Free Webinars
Learn to innovate through chaos, navigate the new normal and maintain work culture from home.
Custom Training & Events
Bring the Future Festival experience directly to your team or co-hosted custom event.
Search our database of 462,195 cutting edge ideas.

Mask-Recognizing Phone Updates

Apple's IOS 14.5 Update Offers Mask-Friendly Face Recognition

— February 2, 2021 — Tech
Apple's iOS 14.5 update offers mask-friendly face recognition, meaning consumers can now unlock their phones using facial ID, even while wearing a mask. The interesting innovation speaks to the creative ways tech companies are adapting to the COVID-19 pandemic, while highlighting the permanence of the changes caused from the virus.

In explaining the new updates, a report stated “iPhone can use your Apple Watch to unlock when Face ID detects a face with a mask. Your Apple Watch must be nearby, on your wrist, unlocked and protected by a passcode.” Essentially, this means that iPhones are now able to recognize a face, even when the bottom half is covered. A beta release for this update has been rolled out, with a global launch expected to follow in the upcoming months.

Image Credit: Sean Gallup, Getty Images
Trend Themes
1. Mask-friendly Face Recognition - There is an opportunity for tech companies to develop innovative face recognition software that can identify masked faces without the need for another device.
2. Adaptive Technology for COVID-19 - There is a need for adaptive technology that can address the challenges presented by COVID-19 and the changes in consumer behavior.
3. Wearable Technology Integration - Tech companies can explore the integration of wearable technology, such as watches, to create new solutions for unlocking devices and other applications.
Industry Implications
1. Smartphone Industry - The smartphone industry can integrate this technology into new phone models, creating a competitive advantage for their devices in the market.
2. Health and Safety Industry - The health and safety industry can explore the use of mask recognition technology in creating safer environments for individuals, such as hospitals and public spaces.
3. Wearable Technology Industry - The wearable technology industry can explore the integration of more advanced sensors and capabilities, such as those found in watches, to create new solutions for consumers.
2.3
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness