Apple has filed a patent application for new facial recognition technology that features photo sharing for people whose image has just been snapped. Like the Facebook Moments app, the tech uses artificial intelligence (AI) to figure out humans' faces in a photograph, and then distributes copies to them based on contact data stored locally or in a cloud.
Apple filed the patent in February 2014. However, it was published during this week.
The tech giant currently uses facial recognition technology in the Mac's Photos app. However, the patent is an upgrade, linking identified faces with contact information. It also provides multiple ways to share images, such as through texts or email, according to Tech Crunch.
The patent filing includes details about various methods for photo-sharing. They include allowing users to manually connect faces with contact details, and posting the pics to social media sites.
Several other companies are adding AI to their products. Google recently updated its Photos app, adding algorithms that auto-sort snapped images. Users can then key in natural language queries to sift through pictures.
However, Apple has touted its company not being based on the collection of user data, unlike business models that are ad-driven. It is a jab at Google and Facebook.
Apple also mentions in the patent application that the databases connecting facial recognition data with contact info could be stored in two locations. That includes locally or in cloud storage.
The patent application has not yet been approved. In addition, even if it is such technology does not always appear in new consumer products, according to PC Mag,
As the company adds more machine learning into its software Apple has to juggle the accessibility of data from multiple devices, and privacy issues. It has some big choices to make.