iOS 12 to Allow iPhones to Unlock Doors Via NFC

[Xenc]

This needs to be on the Apple Watch and not so much on a drop potential, glass shatter device as the iPhone.

Because you have butter fingers you suggest everyone buys an Apple Watch and Apple restricts this feature to it.

Ok then...

 

[twistedpixel8]

So wait, the Apple NFC chips still can't be used for anything NFC-related you would want? That's just so ridiculous.

That's Apple for you... been like that with Apple's NFC implementation for years.

 

[SithLord.]

Apple is expected to expand the NFC capabilities of its iPhones beyond mobile payments, allowing users to securely unlock doors equipped with the technology, according to The Information. The company is said to be planning to announce the new functionality "next month," suggesting it will come at WWDC as part of the iOS 12 unveiling.

The Information reported nearly four years ago that Apple was looking to expand NFC capabilities to building security and transit ticketing, working with its campus security vendor HID Global on the technology.

Today's report notes that while Bluetooth is already used to manage some smart locks using iPhones, NFC offers a more secure method for connections and authentication, an important consideration for companies and government agencies in particular.

Article Link: iOS 12 to Allow iPhones to Unlock Doors Via NFC

[doublepost=1527428943][/doublepost]...How funny, the photo shows a "Samsung" phone unlocking the door, what a riot!

 

[az431]

This needs to be on the Apple Watch and not so much on a drop potential, glass shatter device as the iPhone.

Because people don’t already handle their iPhones for other reasons? Under your logic, iphones shouldn’t be used for anything since any use exposes them to drops.

 

[stars_fan]

Do you instead pole-vault through a second story window? I’m very confused.

Garage ...

 

[DotCom2]

Because people don’t already handle their iPhones for other reasons? Under your logic, iphones shouldn’t be used for anything since any use exposes them to drops.

Holy Jeez...talk about taking things to the extreme. My point is that this would be a very good implementation if it were taken to the Apple Watch. THE END!

 

[TheSkywalker77]

Thread: "Apple will let you unlock your doors with your IPHONE"
Picture in thread:

Seriously tho, . This is gonna be pretty cool whenever it's released. Hilton is already doing it in their hotels, just wait for our homes to be able to do it.

 

[danskin]

Specification: the new iUnlock will only work on the latest iPhone 11 which costs $999.99

 

[Carlanga]

It should support it as it is supposed to "clone" your existing cards, without the involvement of your building management. The security in the card is nothing more than a serial number being reported to a reader. So the iPhone would just send the same "numbers" if you will and unlock the door.

Not possible with my building, for me to clone my tag you would need a Proxmark III and its more expensive than buying regular extras for my building. Security tags of today are not like Disney infinity/lego dimensions/nintendo tags that are more easily cloned.

 

[[AUT] Thomas]

In 2019 Apple will eventually allow the average user to utilize NFC the way it was ment to be used...
Some people are just late to the party... and Apple is the latest but they'll certainly sell it like they invented it.

EDIT: The Apple NFC Doorlock Reader must be the width twice of the iPhone and the user must move the iPhone horizontally over the reader. Then they can call it slide to unlock...

Makes sense since NYC is currently working on a digital metro card implementation

About time. That ancient magstripe system... well magstripe actually says it all...
In other countries you can just NFC your Debit/Credit Card or ApplePay for that matter.

 

[bushman4]

Thread: "Apple will let you unlock your doors with your IPHONE"
Picture in thread: View attachment 763213

Seriously tho, . This is gonna be pretty cool whenever it's released. Hilton is already doing it in their hotels, just wait for our homes to be able to do it.

Good at Hotels and Banks for accessing ATM. Not intended for home use

 

[dontwalkhand]

In 2019 Apple will eventually allow the average user to utilize NFC the way it was ment to be used...
Some people are just late to the party... and Apple is the latest but they'll certainly sell it like they invented it.

EDIT: The Apple NFC Doorlock Reader must be the width twice of the iPhone and the user must move the iPhone horizontally over the reader. Then they can call it slide to unlock...
About time. That ancient magstripe system... well magstripe actually says it all...
In other countries you can just NFC your Debit/Credit Card or ApplePay for that matter.

Why even go to other countries? It’s like that in Chicago and Portland right now. You can just Apple Pay your fare.

 

[[AUT] Thomas]

Why even go to other countries? It’s like that in Chicago and Portland right now. You can just Apple Pay your fare.

True that... didn't know about Chicago though... should have written states probably... XD Most modern large public transport systems rely on "tapping" these days. If they can't accept NFC payment information yet, they should be rather easy to upgrade... The NYC metro, however, needs an overhaul rather sooner than later. For such a vital infrastructure it's extremely outdated, not just ticket wise.

 

[SeattleMoose]

What could possibly go wrong with digital entry doors?

 

[Sevendaymelee]

This will never be hacked by anyone... nope, never.

 

[Kaibelf]

It's always good for Apple to guinea test new tech like this on its own employees first. Although internal Apple tests is not an adequate sample, since most of them are already privileged tech nerds, they in no way represent the average "Apple consumer", and how they react and use new technologies will not be the same as how the average Apple consumer reacts. Maybe limited testing (regional?) might be next?

You lost me the minute you decided that statistical models didn’t work and then started calling people “privileged” because they worked toward a certain type of job and got it. Also, I’m curious in what part of the country doors are fundamentally designed differently.

 

[voodoofish]

You can already use the NFC in some iPhone/Apple watches in Japan and China (plus it works in some other places through bank cards in Apple Pay - the contactless system being implemented in NYC is based on the London system and so will likely work with bank cards in Apple Pay too).

 

[wbeasley]

So can we get NFC speaker connect next please?

Wave and linked. Easy.

But until HomePods have it I guess they wont add it. And that's fairly unlikely. Rather their own chips/methods. Oh well... ;(

 

[Robert.Walter]

This needs to be on the Apple Watch and not so much on a drop potential, glass shatter device as the iPhone.

Will be.
[doublepost=1527466535][/doublepost]

It's always good for Apple to guinea test new tech like this on its own employees first. Although internal Apple tests is not an adequate sample, since most of them are already privileged tech nerds, they in no way represent the average "Apple consumer", and how they react and use new technologies will not be the same as how the average Apple consumer reacts. Maybe limited testing (regional?) might be next?

Not all Apple employees are engineering nerds. Among the staffs you will find gardeners, HR folk, secretaries, janitors, finance folk, logistics pros, etc.

Among this large employee population there are more than enough to do fairly accurate early tests.
[doublepost=1527468816][/doublepost]

It's always good for Apple to guinea test new tech like this on its own employees first. Although internal Apple tests is not an adequate sample, since most of them are already privileged tech nerds, they in no way represent the average "Apple consumer", and how they react and use new technologies will not be the same as how the average Apple consumer reacts. Maybe limited testing (regional?) might be next?

Many folks are eagerly waiting for Costco to turn on its NFC POS checkout and gas pump readers.

Two to three years ago Costco began replacing its old checkout POS terminals wit NFC units. Around the same time, Costco began retrofitting it’s gas pumps with an NFC payment panel. I assume that, but don’t know if, by now that all locations have been so upgraded.

It is known that NFC POS has been in daily use at the Costco HQ store in Issaquah, WA and the “Apple HQ” Costco store in Sunnyvale, CA (also reports out of San Jose, CA).

The above are believed to be test sites for both Apple and Costco employees for instore payments but not for entry/exit control or payments at the pump.

Costco’s big challenge is how to replace entry and POS today via Costco Membership Cards and Costco VISA cards with membership info and pic on it.

By allowing a Costco card in the Apple Wallet (or less likely) a link from the Costco App to NFC, members could verify themselves on entry and simultaneously verify and pay at checkout or pump.

(As I write this, I think of the difference between TouchID and FaceID, where with TouchID multiple fingerprints from different people can be used for verification, but with FaceID only a single face can be used for verification. To my mind, it could be that such functionality may be limited to iPhone X unless Apple institutes a single “preferred” fingerprint for NFC access control.)

It could be that Apple’s opening up NFC for access control will be what is necessary for Costco to finally activate Apple Pay across its store network.

I’m looking forward to what is revealed on this topic next week.

 

[erinsarah]

That would be super great if I could enter my office building with my iPhone. Another card to be removed from my pocket.

My office uses a card you hold near the reader on the wall. I put that card in my iPhone case (the style designed to hold credit cards). People sometimes ask if I have an app that opens the door.

 

[pratikindia]

Apple already uses NFC for transit in Japan, China, Russia and US and UK. I use it everyday for transit.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT207154
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT207958

 

[dampfnudel]

Money on this only being available on 2017 iPhones and newer?

If that happens, I would definitely like to hear Apple explanation on why other iPhones with NFC are excluded.

 

[sirozha]

Do you instead pole-vault through a second story window? I’m very confused.

I drive into my garage. Then I walk into the house through the door that separates the garage and the rest of the house. This is pretty much how every resident of a US house with an attached garage enters the house. The door that leads from the garage to the rest of the house has no lock in my case. I intentionally removed the lock and installed a regular latch to keep the door from coming ajar.

I had locked myself out a few times in my previous houses, and I had to break in the door that leads from the garage into the the house. That door is so flimsy (in the standard US construction) that it takes one kick next to the lock to break in the door. There is no point whatsoever to have a lock on that door. If an intruder forces his way into your garage, he can kick in the door that leads to the rest of the house in one second, and it doesn’t even take any serious effort. Any adult who can lift his/her leg to the level of the door lock can easily break in that door.

 

[recoil80]

Make it available on public transit! And on the Apple Watch as well, I'd like to be able to access the metro with my AW without reaching out for my iPhone or my wallet

 

[dontwalkhand]

Do you instead pole-vault through a second story window? I’m very confused.

Depends. In major cities in apartment buildings you use the front door. In houses you enter through the garage door which is attached to the house. I understand in other countries garages are generally separate from the main house.
[doublepost=1527492015][/doublepost]

I drive into my garage. Then I walk into the house through the door that separates the garage and the rest of the house. This is pretty much how every resident of a US house with an attached garage enters the house. The door that leads from the garage to the rest of the house has no lock in my case. I intentionally removed the lock and installed a regular latch to keep the door from coming ajar.

I had locked myself out a few times in my previous houses, and I had to break in the door that leads from the garage into the the house. That door is so flimsy (in the standard US construction) that it takes one kick next to the lock to break in the door. There is no point whatsoever to have a lock on that door. If an intruder forces his way into your garage, he can kick in the door that leads to the rest of the house in one second, and it doesn’t even take any serious effort. Any adult who can lift his/her leg to the level of the door lock can easily break in that door.

Our garage interior door is a pretty thick door. You’re not kicking it open that easy.