Craig Federighi: Apple Focused on Single-User Face ID, Touch ID Was Never Intended for Multiple Users

[341328]

I much prefer Touch ID for managing and accessing my kids devices. I'd hate to have to enter a passcode every time I needed to get into one of their phones.

Use your face and the kids can use a code.
[doublepost=1512256857][/doublepost]

I much prefer Touch ID for managing and accessing my kids devices. I'd hate to have to enter a passcode every time I needed to get into one of their phones.

I doubt Face ID will come to the ipads.

 

[Impatientmac]

I think you confuse "meant" with "able". Multi-user ability with TouchID was an unavoidable side-effect of it being able to register more than one finger. As it has been said a dozen times already, macOS had multi-user capability since the inception of OS X (it also has fast user switching). Allowing different fingers to be linked to different accounts, was the obvious thing to do. iOS doesn't have any multi-user features outside of managed devices. Thus when TouchID was developed for the iPhone 5s in 2013, multi-user capability of TouchID wasn't really a goal.

But we're not in 2013, we're in 2017 after the relase of the touchbar macbook. In that instance it absolutely was meant to be used for multiple users. It has nothing to do with iOS vs macOS it has to do with the limitations of touchid vs faceid and how it can be used. Sure you can say that initially the idea of multiple people using the same phone hadn't crossed thier mind (unlikely), but the fact that they did impliment it in another one of their devices shows that it (being the technology) was meant to be able to recognize two or more users. It's really a half truth a lawyer might give.

 

[gnasher729]

Many years ago, someone from Apple, may have been Steve Jobs, said that he was very proud that people are using Macs in a way that Apple had never anticipated. So I don't care if Apple has never _planned_ that TouchID could be used to register finger prints from different people. The fact is that people actually use it that way. That's something that Apple should _appreciate_. As it is, my wife wouldn't be able to use my iPhone X unless she remembers the passcode. That's not a feature, that is lack of functionality.
[doublepost=1512261292][/doublepost]

We also rely on cross saving of family fingerprints on our devices in case of incapacitation of the device’s user.

Just saying: You can't use an iPhone or iPad for long if you don't have the passcode, whether your fingerprint is recognised or not. After four days the fingerprint stops working, and anything you might want to do to take over the device needs the passcode, doesn't work with fingerprint.
[doublepost=1512262058][/doublepost]

If Steve Jobs were alive, "You should have married your identical twin."

While same sex marriage is legal nowadays in many places in the world, I don't think marrying your identical twin is legal anywhere.

 

[manu chao]

But we're not in 2013, we're in 2017 after the relase of the touchbar macbook. In that instance it absolutely was meant to be used for multiple users. It has nothing to do with iOS vs macOS it has to do with the limitations of touchid vs faceid and how it can be used. Sure you can say that initially the idea of multiple people using the same phone hadn't crossed thier mind (unlikely), but the fact that they did impliment it in another one of their devices shows that it (being the technology) was meant to be able to recognize two or more users.

Most personal computers (as in computers outside of institutional settings) are used predominantly by one person. TouchID was added to MBPs primarily to make authentication of the main user faster, easier and more secure. That it could also be used for fast user switching was a side-effect of macOS offering robust multi-user features and TouchID being designed to recognise multiple fingers.

You design foremost for the 90% use case (here: 90% of all user authentications are done by the primary user). If can then accommodate other use cases as well, all the better. It is much more common for people to register more than one of their fingers than to register fingers from multiple people.

Your 'was meant to' really misstates things. What you mean is that if something is capable of something (eg, FaceID authenticating multiple faces), then this functionality is meant to be available to everybody.

 

[ArneK]

I am not sure about the same-sex marriage happening in Alabama...But that is last of the worries.

haha true, excellent point indeed

 

[acctman]

Which do you personally use on your phone and why?

I use both Face ID and passcode. My point is if a phone has Face ID on it the spouse can just use the pass code to unlock it.

 

[newyorksole]

I'm not arguing how difficult it is to remember 6 numbers, I'm arguing that there is a convenient to using Face ID where my spouse and I can both access the phone. I really don't know what the argument is about. It's more convenient and secure to use face ID and I wish apple would have allowed multiple faces to unlock a device. That's it. I know all of the ways the alternative is possible, my argument is that it would have been nice for apple to continue that convenience (even thought it wasn't originally intended with Touch ID) with Face ID. I am making do with what I have, but I'm in defense of the original email and find it funny how so many are trying to defend that it's unnecessary. Is it because it's apple and they can't do anything wrong? I don't know. Oh well. I've said all I can on this matter. haha

Lol I wouldn’t necessarily call this an argument. I totally get what you’re saying. Apple does A LOT of things wrong. They are not perfect by anyyyy means.

Yes it would be nice if multiple faces were allowed. Apple I’m sure knows this. If it happens it happens. If not, oh well because typing a 6 digit passcode isn’t a problem for me or my partner.

 

[a0me]

If that’s the case then can Craig please explain why Touch ID is used to switch user accounts on the MacBook with touchbar?

Because Apple has been BSing the whole time to try to explain why they came up with Face ID.
Face ID fails for people who have twins, siblings who look alike and children, as the article reminds us.
Face ID also fails in Asian countries like Japan, South Korea and China where a large portion of the population wears surgical masks both in and outdoors (against smog, seasonal hay fever in Japan, or to avoid spreading germs). And of course, in other parts of the world where women are covering their faces with religious clothing, they'll also have to go back to the old passcode to unlock their phone or use Apple Pay, because clearly Apple never thought of them when they decided to replace Touch ID with their new crap.

 

[jstorm01]

I much prefer Touch ID for managing and accessing my kids devices. I'd hate to have to enter a passcode every time I needed to get into one of their phones.

And.... why would you buy iPhone X’s for your kids?!? Spoiled brats huh ? If I got an iPhone for my kids it would be a 7 or older no kid deserves the latest and greatest sorry your just spoiling the crap out of them .

 

[jujufreeze]

Further proof in my my mind Face ID is in late beta mode. So glad I stayed with touch ID until the tech matures and common sense features are added.

 

[recoil80]

I love how they refer to Craig as he was a Jedi master, "you're my only hope". I'd like Craig to try some Jedi mind tricks at the next keynote.
I don't understand why Federighi said that TouchID was NEVER intended to be used for multiple accounts since that's exactly what it does on the Mac. And I'm sure they know many people share an iPad in a family, so multiple fingerprints to enable each family member to unlock the iPad is a common use case.
Actually I'd like (and sent them feedback about) to have the same behavior of the Mac on the iPad. Now my only true personal iOS device is my iPhone since I don't sync my personal stuff on the iPad everyone uses at home.
Multiple accounts on the iPhone make less sense, but enabling a second person to unlock your iPhone with his face may be handy.

 

[Gameboy70]

Touch ID was never intended for multiple users? That's B.S. They built Touch ID to support five fingers. Who is going to register five of their own fingers for Touch ID?!

I always registered both my thumbs and index fingers. I’ve thought about registering a pinky, but never got around to it.

Craig just confirmed what I’ve assumed since Face ID’s single-user limitation was considered a departure from Touch ID: that users were just repurposing the finger allotment to share logins, when it was actually designed for a single user.
[doublepost=1512324126][/doublepost]

Not ideal if you have kids with devices, not that a kid should have a £1k phone but if this is the standard in years to come on cheaper devices then multiple Face ID is required.

Even though I believe Apple when they say Touch ID and Face ID were intended for single uses, I think their stated reason for preventing children 13 and under from using FID—that their facial features aren’t fully defined—is sketchy. I think they intend the parent to be the superuser of the device, so it makes sense that if one person has authoritative access, it should be the person who actually bought the phone. Requiring kids to enter a passcode on the $1K phone their parents bought shouldn’t be considered too onerous.

 

[ksnell]

Personally, I don't know any married couples who use each other's phones without the other one present, hence brief glance at the phone. Furthermore, I don't know any married couples who want the other to have access to their phones. In fact, most married couples see it as a sign of trust that their significant other doesn't want to get into their phones to spy on them or see what they are up to. I am hearing that you all are out there, but doubt that they are in the majority.

You are certainly missing the point. No need to defend the tech - just add an option for another face. It has nothing to do with trust and there is no reason to snoop - I just don't want to have to enter a code or point the phone at my spouse's face in order to unlock the phone. It's for convenience (setting up directions, texting someone back for the other person while they are driving, etc). Not sure if you are married or not but this is pretty common for myself and those around me.

 

[itscarmine]

Sounds like a worried husband

 

[Mike MA]

No doubt they wanted to nail single user first, so it’s certainly possible they just haven’t gotten to it yet. If I had to guess I’d say the hardware is capable.

I’ve also heard people say FaceID doesn’t work in landscape, which would seem rather easy to implement in software.

Anyway, I do think there will be improvements to FaceID via software updates; hopefully multiple face support could be one of those.

Well, if the pressure rises for sure. I still don’t get the reason but surely not having the insights why decisions are taken.

 

[Timur]

We are still living in the digital stone ages.

When my 5 year old grabs an iPad from the charger to search for kid music videos on Youtube then the device should recognize her and limit all access to 5 year old friendly apps and content. When my 7 year old gets to play Lego on an iPad then it should recognize him and offer all suitable apps and content he is allowed/interested to use. When I grab the same iPad it should recognize me and offer all apps and content I am allowed/interested to use.

Of course Apple would prefer if I bought one device per person and we halfway do so. But please don't tell me that we are living in the future of technology, we do not.

 

[Mildredop]

I'm still convinced people at Apple don't actually use Apple products.

 

[VictorTango777]

I would like to see Apple Watch get Touch ID integrated into display. Better than pecking at tiny numbers on watch face to enter passcode. And yes, I set up passcode longer than 4 digits.

Or the Apple Watch could instead get Face ID with notched screen

 

[Timur]

I'm still convinced people at Apple don't actually use Apple products.

They have to pay full price for iPhones, so not everyone might be able to afford it.

 

[recoil80]

I would like to see Apple Watch get Touch ID integrated into display. Better than pecking at tiny numbers on watch face to enter passcode. And yes, I set up passcode longer than 4 digits.

Or the Apple Watch could instead get Face ID with notched screen

How often do you enter your passcode on AW?
I do it maybe once a day, but usually I put on the Watch then rest my finger on my iPhone and I'm instantly logged in on both devices.

 

[TEK Rider]

This is EXACTLY what I've been saying, too! So to repeat what I've written many other places.

Apple, Please KEEP Touch ID!!! PLEASE

Our state law DOES NOT allow touching a phone in a car, let alone picking one up to fully divert one’s eyes away to make eye contact w/a phone waiting for you to "look" at it, and more States WILL follow!

Touch ID works FANTASTIC already! I get in my ’15 Accord Hybrid Touring & the iPhone goes in the tray immediately. I DO NOT have to glance at it, I can just feel and press Touch ID & Siri comes on via BlueTooth & everything works GREAT w/my voice. We’ve been blessed with 4 “Newer” Hondas, all 2015 or newer, ONLY 1 has Apple CarPlay. I can even say "Hey Siri" but sometimes the code/Touch ID is necessary. So, if Face ID becomes the only option, it’s a Min. $300 ticket! Plus, I want my wife & daughters Touch IDs so they can open my iPhone. So if anything, have BOTH Touch ID in a car, and Face ID for buying lunch. ;-)