Apple Working on OS X 10.12 Feature Allowing Macs to Be Unlocked via iPhone's Touch ID

[Jakexb]

This sounds gimmicky as f**k. Like something a clueless Windows OEM would do.
For the love of God, Surface Books unlock via Intel Realsense face recognition, and it works well. Fast and accurate.

I have no idea why you're bent out of shape about this.

 

[2457282]

MacID already does that: https://macid.co. I have it and it works flawlessly!

MacID is good, but I would not say flawless. Still, I had the same thought. A native implementation of this makes a lot of sense. Given all the security issues over fingerprints versus passcode, it will be interesting to see how this all plays out.

 

[bradl]

This is acceptable as long as people keep in mind Touch ID is not a security feature it is a convienence feature.

That's just flat out wrong.

All I have to say here is if you live in the USA, refresh yourself on the 4th and 5th Amendments to the US Constitution, then revisit that 'security feature'.

Keep in mind that while you can not be forced to give the authorities your password (violation of the 5th Amendment's protection against self incrimination), you can be obligated to give the authorities your fingerprint, and per the 4th, a warrant can be served to you, forcing you to submit your fingerprint, especially for unlocking your phone.

And if your Mac is protected by this variant of TouchID, by extension, the authorities could force you to unlock your Mac via unlocking your iPhone.

Yes, I know that this is a bit tricky as the warrant would be for unlocking your Mac and not your iPhone, but if separate warrants were served for that, you could be forced to unlock your Mac and have your data searched through by the authorities.

As much as I love TouchID (I use both it and alphanumeric passwords), I can see a slippery slope here.

BL.

 

[ericwn]

Touch ID doesn't even have to be on one of the keys. Just build the sensor right into the track pad. Second, partner with Visa Checkout & MasterCard Paypass so users can use Apple Pay right from a Mac in places where those payment services are accepted, and build on from there.

I can't believe an average guy like me knows more than Tim Cook and his "innovators" at Apple.

I really like your ideas, that would be some awesome products!

 

[cmChimera]

I think you're missing the point. Many people with a MacBook that's less than two years old won't want to upgrade because of a Touch ID sensor. I'm sure the new MacBooks will have it, but it'll be great to have an option for everyone else.

I sure hope the new ones have TouchID. I'm looking to upgrade. Still glad for this feature though.

So upgrade the laptop when the old one needs to go. You're right, people won't upgrade their laptop at that price point solely because of the fingerprint sensor; however, that shouldn't stop Apple from improving on the current laptops.

I don't think he's claiming that they won't include TouchID on new hardware because of this. I think he's saying this feature will be a sort of workaround for users on older hardware. Not quite as good, but welcome feature.

 

[Carmenia83]

I think facial recognition via the FaceTime camera would be a better way to go. It could also take snapshots of people that are snooping when you're not around.

 

[American Hero]

Do you really think the reason we haven't seen the expansion of Apple Pay and Touch ID to the Mac is because someone lacked the idea?

So you're telling me it's difficult for Apple to put a touch ID sensor underneath the glass on the track pad to read a fingerprint, and it's too difficult to partner with Visa & MasterCard when they've already partnered with Apple Pay on the phones and iPads?

 

[dannyyankou]

So upgrade the laptop when the old one needs to go. You're right, people won't upgrade their laptop at that price point solely because of the fingerprint sensor; however, that shouldn't stop Apple from improving on the current laptops.

In both posts you replied, I said Apple should put it in their newest laptops, and it looks like they're going to do that based on recent patents. I'm just saying it's nice that they're thinking of a creative solution for everyone else.

 

[Urban Joe]

this is low hanging fruit. Apple just connecting the dots.

 

[_mdavenport]

Is there any reason why a Touch ID sensor can't be built into the trackpad of a MacBook?

 

[rudychidiac]

Has not worked for me since the day I purchased it. Biggest waste of $2 ever. And the dev doesn't offer a solution or a refund.

Weird, which macbook do you have?

 

[cmChimera]

So you're telling me it's difficult for Apple to put a touch ID sensor underneath the glass on the track pad to read a fingerprint

It probably is.

 

[American Hero]

Is there any reason why a Touch ID sensor can't be built into the trackpad of a MacBook?

Tim Cook couldn't think of the idea.

 

[igorsky]

Do you really think the reason we haven't seen the expansion of Apple Pay and Touch ID to the Mac is because someone lacked the idea?

I'm sure that's what he thinks. In fact I'm certain a high percentage of posters here think that they're the first ones who came up with ideas for Apple.

 

[Michael Goff]

Isn't Touch ID integrated with Apple's A-series chips? Or is it a separate thing?

The Secure Enclave is built into the A series, yes. So they could put a fingerprint sensor on there but it wouldn't be the same as on the iPhone because of that.

 

[American Hero]

It probably is.

If they do it on the iPhone, why is it any different for the Mac?

 

[cmChimera]

If they do it on the iPhone, why is it any different for the Mac?

So you think the home button and the trackpad on a Macbook are exactly the same thing?

 

[American Hero]

I'm sure that's what he thinks. In fact I'm certain a high percentage of posters here think that they're the first ones who came up with ideas for Apple.

How long has Apple Pay been out for? Almost 2 years. Should've been put in the Mac last year at the latest.

 

[Michael Goff]

If they do it on the iPhone, why is it any different for the Mac?

My guess is they're trying to find a good way to get the Secure Enclave on newer Macs.

 

[shareef777]

MacID already does that: https://macid.co. I have it and it works flawlessly!

Got it as well, but I definitely wouldn't consider it flawless. Too frequently (every couple days), I'd have to relaunch MacID on my phone so that it'd pair back with my Mac.

 

[routine_analyst]

Picking up my phone to unlock my mac doesn't make anything easier. Adding a sensor to the keyboard will.

A function to help those of us who aren't in the market to buy a brand new macbook right after we bought a brand new macbook.

 

[Black Magic]

Touch ID doesn't even have to be on one of the keys. Just build the sensor right into the track pad. Second, partner with Visa Checkout & MasterCard Paypass so users can use Apple Pay right from a Mac in places where those payment services are accepted, and build on from there.

I can't believe an average guy like me knows more than Tim Cook and his "innovators" at Apple.

Why would you pay with a MacBook when you could do that with your watch or Phone? I just can't see under any circumstance someone lugging a laptop up to a counter to pay much less an iMac.

There is a reason Tim Cook is the CEO over a multi-billion dollar company and you are a fan chirping on a website. Don't quit your day job.

 

[American Hero]

So you think the home button and the trackpad on a Macbook are exactly the same thing?

They both get pressed. They can both be made out of glass.

They're ideally the same thing, but one performs a function where you click, while the other just brings you back to the app launcher.

 

[Mascots]

So you're telling me it's difficult for Apple to put a touch ID sensor underneath the glass on the track pad to read a fingerprint, and it's too difficult to partner with Visa & MasterCard when they've already partnered with Apple Pay on the phones and iPads?

Because you can't come up with another reason they haven't, it must be because they haven't had the idea.

 

[American Hero]

Why would you pay with a MacBook when you could do that with your watch or Phone? I just can't see under any circumstance someone lugging a laptop up to a counter to pay much less an iMac.

I like to use a desktop or laptop sometimes? Is that alright with you?