Users of the latest iPhone Pro models are currently familiarizing themselves with the functions of a mysterious black circle located next to the cameras on the rear of these devices.
A Reddit post that garnered 1,400 upvotes featured a user circling the mysterious circle and simply asking, ‘What’s it for?’
This circular feature is exclusively present in the newest iPhone Pro models and certain iPad Pro models, and it serves a highly practical role by enabling some of the device's coolest apps and features.
The embedded dot, which is integrated within the camera arrangement, is, in fact, a LiDAR scanner (it stands for Light Detection and Ranging).
In essence, the dot functions as a depth sensor that utilizes lasers to determine the distance of anything.
Its operation involves emitting pulsed laser beams toward an object and measuring the duration it takes for the light to bounce back. Through this process, the iPhone or iPad is able to construct a 3D model of the world in front of it.
LiDAR technology extends beyond the capabilities of iPhone models, as it has proven instrumental in the discovery of hidden cities within the Amazon rainforest and finding ruins beneath it
Furthermore, this technology plays a crucial role in self-driving vehicles by allowing them to accurately sense the distance between themselves and other cars on the road.
Within iPhones, however, LiDAR serves a different purpose.
It empowers advanced photography features and augmented reality applications to accurately assess the distance between objects. For instance, it enables apps like Apple's Measure app to precisely calculate lengths, widths, and even area measurements. Moreover, the LiDAR sensor can be utilized to measure a person's height automatically, showcasing the versatility and functionality it provides within these devices
Apple says: ‘The LiDAR Scanner measures the distance to surrounding objects up to 5 meters away, works both indoors and outdoors and operates at the photon level at nano-second speeds.’
This technology also enhances the photography capabilities of Pro models, particularly in low-light conditions, and enables faster autofocus.
Additionally, there are numerous applications that leverage this technology. For example, Polycom is a 3D scanner that utilizes LiDAR sensors to rapidly create virtual models of 3D objects and spaces. It can be used for capturing 3D objects for entertainment or room planning.
LiDAR technology also facilitates augmented reality applications where virtual objects interact with the real world.
Apple says that LiDAR enables apps to, ‘Have virtual content interact with the physical environment realistically, for example, by bouncing a virtual ball off a real-world wall and having the ball follow the laws of physics.’
