The first preview of the Android 12 developer is coming, and we’ve already heard a lot about what to expect – from major changes in the user interface to pairs of applications. With the next version, we also expect to see a lot of features that will be exclusive to Pixel devices, and the most recent that we hear about is automatic face-based rotation.
According to information read by 9to5Google, the optional feature will make use of the front camera to analyze the orientation of the face and rotate the content accordingly. As is optional, it will still be possible to use the gyroscope, if you prefer. The report also mentions that the process of discovering face orientation using the camera will take place entirely on the device and that no images will be saved or sent to the servers.
Currently, Google relies on a situational icon (introduced with Android Pie) to allow users to quickly switch the screen orientation, even when automatic rotation is blocked. This new implementation will certainly be convenient for those who frequently use their phones in bed.
For what it’s worth, Huawei introduced a similar solution in its Huawei Mate 30 series in 2019. Called Smart Rotation, the feature alternated rotation, not based on the gyroscope, but on the user’s eye orientation. While the company made use of its front-facing 3D camera, Google claims to use intelligent software for its version.
The report also speculates that this feature could be launched as a broader feature on Android 12 or could land on Pixels in a future feature fall.
