Samsung’s Galaxy S4 Could Feature Eye-Tracking Technology
Mar 4, 2013 05:12 PM EDT by 
We can already unlock our smartphones using facial recognition, and now a fresh rumor suggests that Samsung’s Galaxy S4 will come with another eye-catching feature: the ability to scroll by simply looking at a page.
The Galaxy S4 will reportedly incorporate technology that tracks its users’ eyes to determine where to scroll, a Samsung employee said, according to the New York Times. This means that when Galaxy S4 owners use their device to read or browse the Web, the software will automatically scroll down when their eyes reach the bottom of the page.
The source did not specify the type of technology Samsung would use to track eye movement, nor did he confirm that the feature will be showcased on March 14 at the S4 New York City presser. He did say, however, that the handset’s software additions will be more important than its hardware. Kevin Packingham, Samsung’s chief product officer, declined comment to the New York Times but disagreed that the S4’s hardware outweighs its software.
While the rumor’s validity remains unclear, Monday’s report does follow a related patent filing from Samsung in January. The Korea-based manufacturer filed a trademark for the name “Eye Scroll” in Europe before filing a similar patent in the United States called “Samsung Eye Scroll” in February. The trademark’s official description illustrates the service as the following:
“Computer application software having a feature of sensing eye movements and scrolling displays of mobile devices, namely, mobile phones, smartphones and tablet computers according to the eye movements; digital cameras; mobile telephones; smartphones tablet computers.”
This report comes on the heels of a brand new promotional ad from Samsung teasing the Galaxy S4’s anticipated arrival. Eye-tracking technology now sits atop the list of Galaxy S4 rumors that have circulated in recent months, along with its unconfirmed powerhouse octa-processor and its alleged 13-megapixel camera, among other features.
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March 5th, 2013 at 2:16 pm
The eye-scrolling feature sounds gimmicky, but a useful one nonetheless. One feature that I’m particularly excited about is the 1080p display that’s said to come on the Galaxy S4. I like streaming my live and recorded shows on my phone during the trip to and from work at DISH, and I think that a higher resolution display would benefit me. I’ve got the DISH Anywhere app on my current Galaxy SII, which lets me stream my shows from my DVR anywhere I go, and I think it’d work perfectly on the next one.
March 18th, 2013 at 11:48 pm
I am incredibly impressed by this technology. It’s as if humans will have telekinesis–the power to control objects through the mind (or in other words the eyes). If technology is already allowing this world to create systems that can track our eyes in order to determine what we’re interested in seeing or doing… I am curious to know where technology will be in 10 years. My only issue with this eye-tracking technology is that Samsung had better get it right before Apple and Google find a better way of installing this software. If anything, this type of technology would be put for better use in driving cars or working out–basically anything that doesn’t require the use of hands.
April 11th, 2013 at 5:24 am
This is probably the first eye technology and I’m pretty impressed how these phone manufacturers always come up with something brilliant.