Your face may soon unlock your iPhone

Washington

ONE of the major new features expected in the next iPhone is a new way to unlock the smartphone: with your face.

At first blush, this may not sound like a big deal. Android has had a version of facial recognition in its operating system, called Face Unlock, since 2011. Samsung, Apple's chief smartphone rival, has its own version of facial recognition - as well as iris-scanning and the standard fingerprint reader.

But, thanks to major advances in face-scanning technology, this method is on the rise - and Apple is not the only company interested in taking a new look at the technology. Several companies, including Delta Airlines, JetBlue Airways and Citibank have piloted or launched pr…