Apple's Plans to Enhance Touch ID with Trackpad Capabilities and Display Integration Revealed

[Snookerman]

"- Using revolving 'scroll wheel' motions on the home button to navigate through multitasking app listings"

Such a shame you can't just touch the screen and perform scrolling actions.

Don't be so close-minded. Imagine being able to scroll through a webpage or flip through a book without having to obstruct the content with your thumb every time.

This would also be great for games where you steer by moving your thumb around a small area of the screen. In this way, your thumb gets out of the way and you won't get out of the steering area that easily.

 

[pdqgp]

So someone can't be excited about something if another company has already done it? Most consumers couldn't give a crap less who did something first.

Did I say or imply that of others? I personally am not excited about nearly 8yr old technology being talked about for future devices thus why I referenced me, not others.

Same with the scroll wheel idea. It's been used before. Today, other phone OS's work off eye-control, hand gestures or simply tilting the device forward or backward to scroll.

 

[DaveN]

More things for Google/Samsung to copy and litigate.

 

[Squilly]

This looks interesting. Can't wait to see what comes from it in 2014!

 

[StrongArmmed]

Granular security access to apps based on TouchID!! Awesome...

That kinda opens the iDevices up to multi-user setups where you can have Access Control List-like features to ensure security on the device. And even if you have a device that single-user, you can still loan it to a friend or loved one or send it for service without having all your business exposed to them...Very very cool!

 

[bbeagle]

Call me a troll but other phones do a lot of that today. I even remember my BB800 working like that in 2005.

Read the patent. The patent is for detecting movement of a FINGERPRINT. No phones have ever done this.

Other phones have detected movement of a FINGER, but not a FINGERPRINT. I know, I know, very similar. But it IS different because this is an AUTHORIZED movement instead of a movement of a finger, which does lead to the possibility of innovations in knowing who is moving the finger on the phone.

What it does for Apple, is disallow anyone else from putting a fingerprint scanner and a movement detector in the SAME BUTTON. I understand why this is patentable (something new - nobody has done this before), but it also shows what a silly place patents are in today's world. If Apple would not have patented this, someone else would have, and Apple couldn't do what it wanted to do. Now Samsung comes along and wants to put both on the same button, they can't. They need to use 2 separate buttons.

 

[AZREOSpecialist]

So... billions spent on touchscreen technology only to bring back a mini trackpad? Sounds dumb.

 

[TouchMint.com]

This is what I figured it would be from the start so this is cool to see.

 

[petsounds]

I have a 98% success rate. The more you use it, the better it gets. Set it up correctly as well and you won't have an issue.

That is simply untrue. For some people (including me), Touch ID starts off great, but within a few hours to a day recognition drops off quickly until the scanned fingerprints barely register, if at all.

My guess is that the data in the enclave is getting corrupted somehow, either due to a hardware defect or a software bug. Obviously this is not happening with everyone's fingers, so there must be something about certain fingerprints that causes Touch ID to go haywire.

 

[pdqgp]

Other phones have detected movement of a FINGER, but not a FINGERPRINT. I know, I know, very similar. But it IS different because this is an AUTHORIZED movement instead of a movement of a finger, which does lead to the possibility of innovations in knowing who is moving the finger on the phone.

perhaps but it seems rather redundant as the one moving the finger thus AUTHORIZING a movement is also very likely the same person that just unlocked the phone with said fingerprint in the first place.

What it does for Apple, is disallow anyone else from putting a fingerprint scanner and a movement detector in the SAME BUTTON.

Meh...if I was Google, I'd be working on my eye control to use technology to recognize ones eyes. I worked for Panasonic years ago back then and we used retinal recognition back then. Surely it's improved and with their current OS supporting eye control on some devices, it would make sense.

If Apple would not have patented this, someone else would have, and Apple couldn't do what it wanted to do. Now Samsung comes along and wants to put both on the same button, they can't. They need to use 2 separate buttons.

Again, my guess is they will use something better than a fingerprint.

 

[slprescott]

Thumb Position

I solved my Touch ID problems by changing the position of my thumb.

Originally I scanned the top half of my thumb, as Apple's promotional pictures showed. After 1 or 2 days the Touch ID would stop recognizing my thumb. I solved this by deleting the scan and rescanning my thumb with the center of my thumb on the Touch ID. This completely solved my problems. Try it.

 

[408650415]

TV - fav channels, dvr, movies, netflix suggestions - user profiles can change with touch of the remote.

 

[Bhatu]

2014, Apple reinvents the Home Button!!
and once again it is going to change everything

 

[FrozenInferno]

I don't so much care about the home button functioning as a track pad, I had that on my old Blaclberry. However, I LOVE the idea of TouchID moving into the screen and used as security for individual apps. If Apple gets this tech into the iPhone 6/6S it will be a definite upgrade for me.

 

[pure3d2]

I thought previously Apple did a patent on the finger print reader as part of the screen. However, the auth on an app is simply an awesome idea.

I hope it is a bit more reliable than Touch ID has been for me. Seems I always have to clean button or wipe my finger for it to work.

Be honest now. You're just a dirty, filthy person.

 

[leftoverbacon]

No TouchID 4 me.

Until 2 factor authentication is an option, I'll be stuck using a complex password. A finger can be swiped against ones will. A password cannot (yet) be sucked out of my brain. A swipe w/ a simple 3-4 digit number code would rock.

 

[samcraig]

The headline is misleading. There's no "fact" in saying that because of this patent, Apple PLANS to enhance Touch ID with trackpad capabiltiies, etc.

They may. They may not.

Apple and other tech companies have hundreds upon hundreds of patents that don't ever make their way to products.

 

[kdarling]

I solved my Touch ID problems by changing the position of my thumb.

1) Are you sure you're touching the metal ring? That's the transmitter and you have to be touching it for the center sensor to detect your skin's ridges through your finger.

2) It's possible that your finger's characteristics change during the day due to environment (moisture, temperature). My suggestion would be to enter the same finger... but do so at various times and places during a normal day.

Good luck!

 

[9947273]

How is this any different from an optical trackpad?

 

[baryon]

It would be handy to have multi tasking or playback controls on the home button with gestures rather than "click once, click and hold, click three times, click 45 times and hold and click again".

 

[icewing]

I solved my Touch ID problems by changing the position of my thumb.

Originally I scanned the top half of my thumb, as Apple's promotional pictures showed. After 1 or 2 days the Touch ID would stop recognizing my thumb. I solved this by deleting the scan and rescanning my thumb with the center of my thumb on the Touch ID. This completely solved my problems. Try it.

As cold weather sets in, I've noticed that my right thumb isn't recognized any longer. My fingertips are getting cracks, flakes and ridges that weren't there before. Deleting and re-creating the fingerprint works, and Apple can hardly be blamed for this, since MY thumbprint changed. My left thumb still works great, because it's not chapped. Anyone else notice this?

 

[BSben]

Touch ID has to come to iPads very soon, it would be a great way to get separate user accounts. On my iPhone it has been very accurate so far, and I really like the feature. And if it would come to desktops , laptops, trackpads and Apple remotes( buying films etc. just by touching the remote) that would be really great. The lack of it actually put me off buying an iPad Air, I didn't actually need it but fancied it, but with no Touch ID I didn't get it in the end. I am sure Apple will introduce it to new devices once they can produce enough. I am very sure Apple will use the feature much more in the future across different devices, and once the technology has matured and maybe combined with another biometric ( like an iris scan) it might be used for purchases in an Apple Store.

 

[PollyK]

Hmmm... Sounds like something Samsung already has lined up for their Tizen devices, including multi user functionality.

http://www.tizenexperts.com/2013/11/crucialtec-fingerprint-sensor-technology-aero-mouse-into-tizen/

 

[curmudgeon32]

- Supporting multi-user profiles including authorized and guest profiles through fingerprint authorization

- Supporting simultaneous multi-user configurations by allowing users to define separate areas of a device's screen for drawings, notes, or other content based on fingerprint recognition

I would LOVE the ability to hand an unlocked phone or iPad to someone else and know that they can't just run amok through my emails and texts and everyone else.

 

[dasx]

Hate the icons. Change theeeeem.

/irony