Microsoft Reportedly Working On 4K Webcams For All Windows 10 Devices

With the goal of bringing Windows Hello facial recognition to all PCs running Windows 10, Microsoft is reportedly preparing to release its new 4k cameras in 2019.

According to one of the most prominent Microsoft bloggers, Paul Thurrott, the software giant is currently making its own 4k external webcams for the Xbox One and Windows 10 PCs.

Windows Hello facial recognition, for those who don't already know, is the company’s facial recognition system which will be put on Windows 10 devices for the first time. Currently, Windows Hello facial recognition is restricted to integrated webcams, such as those on Surface devices of Microsoft.

Moreover, Microsoft 4K camera is likely to become a branch of the Surface brand. While Microsoft has already discontinued Kinect adapter for Xbox One, this new webcam would allow a Kinect-like feature to return to the Xbox One. Users can use their faces as a means of authentication.

It's also expected that Microsoft 4K webcams are connected to the USB-C based webcams, which have previously said to be released together with the upcoming Surface Hub 2. Cited Paul Thurrott. The Surface Hub 2 is scheduled to be released in 2019:

Back in October, in an interview with The Verge, Microsoft's chief product officer Panos Panay also teased that Microsoft could be releasing a USB-C webcam soon. The chief said:

Also, Microsoft is taking significant steps towards achieving its objective for password-less authentication by releasing the FIDO2 and Windows Hello-compatible webcams. Furthermore, the newly update of Windows 10 led to the enabling of WebAuthn-based authentication which allows users to log into its site such as Office 365 by using security keys and Windows Hello.