Apple's iPhone 8 is, according to the latest rumours at least, set to rely on facial scanning rather than a fingerprint. However, details on exactly how this could work have been scarce - until now. A recent patent application reveals how such a system could work on Apple's Mac desktop and notebook computers. The patent shows how a camera can remain in low power mode, but'fire up' when a face is spotted, allowing a facial recognition system to operate without impacting heavily on battery life It explains the system can remain in a low power mode until sensors spot a face, and can then'wake' the computer to analyse the face. The patent describes a number of variations on the theme.

Apple could abandon its Touch ID fingerprint recognition system entirely in favour of a new facial recognition system, an analyst has claimed. Rumours have circulated in recent weeks that Apple was struggling to decide where to put the sensor - under the front screen with an'invisible' sensor, or even on the rear. Now it appears a third option may be on the table - abandoning it entirely. Rumours about the iPhone 8 have been circling for months, and a new video released this week claims to give the'closet look' at the device yet. The claims were made by KGI analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who has sent out a report with his top predictions for the 2017 iPhone lineup.

The Samsung Galaxy S8 was announced Wednesday and brings to the market a host of new features to the Galaxy S line. From iris scanning and facial recognition to the Bixby AI assistant, the Galaxy S8 packs a host of functions in a frame than it smaller than Samsung's previous flagship models. Samsung Galaxy S8 and Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus Photo: Fionna Agomuoh The Samsung Galaxy S8 features a 5.8-inch Quad HD dual-edge display. The Galaxy S8 Plus features a 6.2-inch Quad HD display. While the screens are much larger than prior Galaxy S devices, their overall size is similar to the Galaxy S7 Edge and the Galaxy Note 7. Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus app tray Photo: Fionna Agomuoh Users can access the Samsung Galaxy S8 app tray by swiping up from the bottom of the display.