Google's 'Project Toscana' is set to revolutionize the Pixel phones' facial recognition technology, potentially addressing one of the most frustrating flaws of the Pixel series. According to Android Authority's exclusive report, Google is developing an advanced facial recognition system internally dubbed 'Project Toscana'. The feature is being tested on Pixel phones and Chromebooks, with early testers in Mountain View, California, using prototype devices under various lighting conditions. The report suggests that Toscana performs as quickly as Apple's Face ID and works reliably in low light, which would be a significant upgrade for Android users.
Google has had a mixed history with face unlock technology. The Pixel 4 used radar and IR sensors, but the company later abandoned this approach. More recent Pixels reintroduced camera-based face unlock with improved machine learning, and starting with the Pixel 8, it could authenticate for payments and secure apps. However, it still struggles in darker environments. The timing of Project Toscana's development is interesting, given the recent launch of the Pixel 10a, which lacks significant biometric upgrades.
Android Authority notes that this aligns with its previous reporting that Google has been exploring IR-based solutions for future Pixel devices, potentially as soon as the Pixel 11. Whether Toscana ends up with a display hole or sticks with a traditional hole-punch camera remains unclear. The feature could signal that Google is once again trying to build the Android answer to Face ID, and this time, it might stick with it. However, it's unlikely to debut in the budget-friendly 10a, which arrives March 5. Instead, it could be a significant upgrade for future Pixel devices, potentially addressing the long-standing issue of facial recognition in low light conditions.
