iPhone users divided over new 'eye tracking' feature

Ellen Jenne & Ellen Jenne
·3-min read
The Apple iOS 18 logo and Siri AI icon are being displayed on a smartphone, seen in this photo illustration in Brussels, Belgium, on June 10, 2024. (Photo Illustration by Jonathan Raa/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
-Credit: (Image: Jonathan Raa/NurPhoto/Getty)


Apple users are divided over a new feature in the upcoming iOS 18 software update.

The tech giant previewed the changes at a conference in California, USA, earlier this week. The event showcased alterations to customisation, photo changes and iMessage. It also unveiled new privacy measures designed to 'give more power to users'.

The iOS 18 update is set to roll out later this year. Apple has announced that its new 'eye tracking' feature will be part of the software's 'accessibility'. This built-in option allows users to navigate their phones using just their eyes.

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Australian radio hosts Kyle and Jackie O tested a demo version of the update, including the new 'eye tracking' feature', reports Wales Online.

In the video, Jackie said: "Guys, this is mental!" The radio show's director Bruno Bouchet said he'd already downloaded the beta version and used the feature.

He commented: "I've been using the eye tracking feature, which instead of like, using your fingers like a commoner to use your phone, you just use your eyeballs."

Bruno demonstrated it on camera, where a black dot appeared on his phone screen to indicate where his eyes were looking. To open an app, all you have to do is blink.

The TikTok video has racked up 2.3 million views. While Kyle and Jackie seemed thrilled by the technological advances, others had mixed feelings about the update. Alban was critical of the potential health impact, writing: "This feature will be the worst thing to damage eyes."

Woman with red hair looking on screen of her mobile phone.
Apple's new Accessibility feature allows users to control their iPhones using just their eyes -Credit:Getty Images

Skidy71 raised suspicions about surveillance: "Did anybody think maybe your phone could be watching, hearing and tracking you with background software? Ever thought why they need data centres?"

Yet, some users welcomed the new feature. Van Geldrop praised its convenience: "Using this to scroll through TikTok."

Tins echoed the sentiment for ease of use: "Another level of laziness for scrolling through TikTok.. love it."

Markwarnus highlighted its benefits for those with disabilities: "I work with quadriplegics and this feature gives so much life to those patients."

However, there were voices that downplayed the novelty of the update, pointing out that similar features have been available on Android devices for years. TikTioksupportz mentioned: "Android had this years ago."

Ronn3154 also referenced past availability: "It's an old feature from Android back in 2020."

The update also includes other accessibility improvements such as music haptics, which allows users who are deaf or hard of hearing to feel music through the iPhone's taptic engine, and vocal shortcuts, enabling users to execute tasks with custom sounds. These features are part of the broader iOS 18 update.

Craig Federighi, Apple's senior vice president of software engineering, said: "We are thrilled to introduce iOS 18. It is a huge release with incredible features, including new levels of customisation and capability, a redesigned Photos app, and powerful ways to stay connected with Messages. There are so many benefits for everyone.

"This release also marks the beginning of a tremendously exciting new era of personal intelligence with Apple Intelligence delivering intuitive, powerful, and instantly useful experiences that will transform the iPhone experience, all with privacy at the core. We can't wait for users to experience it."

The much-anticipated iOS 18 will be rolled out this autumn as a complimentary software update for iPhone Xs and subsequent models. Developers can get their hands on the beta version of iOS 18 starting today via the Apple Developer Program at developer.apple.com, while the public can join in on the testing next month through the Apple Beta Software Program at beta.apple.com.

To read more about what to expect, visit here.

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