Apple plans to replace 'Hey Siri' with silent facial commands: What it means for you

Apple may soon let users control devices without speaking, as new technology aims to read lip movements and facial signals silently.

Apple may soon allow users to control their devices without speaking. Reports from international media outlets state that the company has acquired Israeli startup Q.ai in a deal valued at about $2 billion. This marks Apple’s largest acquisition since it purchased Beats Electronics.

Apple may soon let users control devices without speaking using facial recognition tech through advanced sensors. (Apple)

By MD Ijaj Khan

Ijaj Khan is a technology journalist and Senior Content Producer at Hindustan Times, with over three years of experience covering the consumer technology industry. His work spans smartphones, laptops, wearables, gaming, appliances and AI - from hands-on reviews, comparison and buying guides to breaking news and in-depth features that help readers cut through the noise and make informed decisions. Before joining HT Tech, he worked with Jagran New Media, where he sharpened his instincts for fast-paced digital reporting. He holds a Post Graduate Diploma in English Journalism and Mass Communication from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Delhi. Whether he's testing the latest flagship smartphone, tracking a major AI announcement, or putting a gaming laptop through its paces, Ijaj approaches every story with the same goal - making technology feel relevant and easy to understand for everyday users, not just enthusiasts. When he's not in front of a screen for work, he's usually travelling to a new city, hunting for great food, or keeping tabs on what's next in tech before everyone else catches on.

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Q.ai develops machine learning systems that study small facial movements. Its technology examines lip motion, skin shifts, and minor muscle activity to identify silently spoken words. The system can also detect facial expressions and track physical signals such as heart rate and breathing patterns.

How the Technology Could Work

Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has earlier suggested that Apple could introduce camera-equipped AirPods in 2026. These earbuds may include infrared sensors similar to the depth-mapping system used in Face ID. If Apple combines this hardware with Q.ai’s software, users could send messages, control music, or activate Siri by silently moving their lips.

The system would rely on sensors to capture facial data and convert it into digital commands. Instead of using voice prompts such as “Hey Siri,” users may interact with devices through silent facial input. This approach could help in situations where speaking aloud is not possible or practical.

Expansion to Other Devices

Apple may also extend this technology to other products, including Vision Pro and future smart glasses. Q.ai founder Aviad Maizels previously co-founded PrimeSense, the company behind 3D sensing technology that later contributed to the development of Face ID. This background suggests Apple may integrate facial sensing tools across multiple devices.

The move toward silent facial tracking raises privacy issues. Continuous monitoring of lip and muscle activity could create detailed biometric records. If companies store or handle such data without safeguards, it could reveal personal information, including emotional states or health signals.

Critics also warn about risks such as unauthorised tracking or misuse of intent detection systems. As wearable devices gain the ability to observe more physical signals, the debate over data protection and user consent may intensify.

If Apple moves forward with this plan, it could change how people interact with technology, while also prompting fresh discussions about privacy and biometric data use.