New Apple Watch With Touch ID and More Uncovered in Leaked Code

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

It will surely be on the crown, seems like a natural position given the crown has other functions

 

[CharlesShaw]

Illustrates how much less popular the watch is (one of my most used devices). If the rumor were about adding Touch ID to the iPhone side button, there would be ten pages of messages by now.

 

[KevinN206]

putting it into the side button would make sense - this setup matches the one of iPad Air Touch ID.
and it would be a more secure and easier way to authenticate yourself - albeit the PIN will still remain the weakest link in the chain.
on the other hand - the mutual unlock functionality between the watch and the phone seems to work just fine in many cases. given the relatively poor track record of under-display fingerprint readers in android phones and the extra thickness it would probably add to the device, I doubt apple will pursue that direction.

Android flagship phones today use ultrasonic finger print reader under the screen, which works exceptionally well compared to the older optical ones. I have had zero issues with them. I much prefer it over the side-mounted FPR like the ones on my iPads.

 

[Nekomichi]

When Apple was initially revealing the Series 4, I thought the ECG sensor on the Digital Crown would be a Touch ID sensor before they explained what it actually was. If this is real, it's cool to see my accidental guess became an actual thing.

 

[applefan8254]

Nice. Touch ID would be great on apple watch digital crown,

edit update - for when it's used as a standalone device

 

[DTphonehome]

Maybe this is a step towards Apple allowing Watch to be a stand-alone device (no iPhone requirement)?

OK but how does this help? You put the watch on. It asks for a passcode. You enter it once, and then you're authenticated for the whole day. What does touch ID add here? Avoiding entering the passcode once in a day?

 

[RaoulCapano]

I really see no point to this. It might make it slightly easier to do Apple Pay, but that's it really.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

Nice. Touch ID would be great on apple watch digital crown

For what?

The phone unlocks it when you put it on, or you put in the passcode one time. I can't see any use for it all, whatsoever, unless they are making it a standalone device.

 

[RaoulCapano]

OK but how does this help? You put the watch on. It asks for a passcode. You enter it once, and then you're authenticated for the whole day. What does touch ID add here? Avoiding entering the passcode once in a day?

Or you just look at your phone. I just don't see where this is a case of the product crying out for Touch ID, it's not really necessary.

 

[CharlesShaw]

I really see no point to this. It might make it slightly easier to do Apple Pay, but that's it really.

Oh, I hope they don't make Touch ID required for Apple Pay, since I frequently use it while wearing gloves in winter. (Boarding a bus, etc.)

 

[Apple_Robert]

I don't get it. I specifically remember them touting during the launch that since the Watch is on your skin, it's secure. Once you've unlocked it by entering the passcode or through your phone after you put it on in the morning, it's authenticated until you remove it. What problem does this solve?

This would help prevent someone gaining access to your watch by knowing or guessing the digit code.

 

[RaoulCapano]

This would help prevent someone gaining access to your watch by knowing or guessing the digit code.

Ok but how likely is that? We've had what, 11 versions without this and I've never heard of any rampant AW thefts.

 

[subjonas]

Touch ID would be fantastic, I'm always torn as to whether I should input the PIN or just unlock my phone with FaceID to unlock the watch, this would make leaving the house without the phone a lot more seamless.

Plus my Apple Watch 5 battery is dog-egg right now.

I forgot this is a common use case for the Watch, leaving the house without a phone. I agree Touch ID would be useful for that.

 

[Rychiar]

does anyone else find biometrics to be mostly a gimmick in their current implementation? I should NEVER have to type a password into anything. especially something like my Vision Pro or watch

 

[subjonas]

Maybe this is a step towards Apple allowing Watch to be a stand-alone device (no iPhone requirement)?

Possibly, also possibly opening up to non-Apple phones.

 

[HouseLannister]

It's not TouchID. It's a sensor to sense something through your fingerprint that it can't do through your wrist, similar to how the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 can test your antioxidants through your finger.

 

[pdaholic]

I just want to not have to think about charging my battery every...single...freaking...night!

 

[t0rqx]

I don't get it. I specifically remember them touting during the launch that since the Watch is on your skin, it's secure. Once you've unlocked it by entering the passcode or through your phone after you put it on in the morning, it's authenticated until you remove it. What problem does this solve?

The same problem Apple Vision Pro solves. None.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Ok but how likely is that? We've had what, 11 versions without this and I've never heard of any rampant AW thefts.

I am sure watches get lost and stolen all the time just like the phone. Just because we don't hear about it as much as we do the phone, that doesn't mean it isn't a problem. The other aspect of this possible new feature is that it would help secure sensitive data that is stored on the watch. In my opinion, this kind of feature is needed.

 

[t0rqx]

The Apple Watch should really move to an 18 or 24 month upgrade cycle.

Fine. If it comes with the innovative features. Now it just hasn't been upgraded for nearly six years. Its rebranding.

 

[tyrnnsrs]

I think the only time I enter my passcode on the watch is when I install an update.

The "Unlock with iPhone" option negates it.

You don't have to enter it again after you take it off the charger? Mine always prompts for it but maybe that is a setting I can change?

 

[subjonas]

OK but how does this help? You put the watch on. It asks for a passcode. You enter it once, and then you're authenticated for the whole day. What does touch ID add here? Avoiding entering the passcode once in a day?

Doing any typing on the Watch is bad UX and should only be seen as an if-necessary fall back, not a daily task. Plus many people take off/put on their watch multiple times a day—to play contact sports, etc. And you never want to expose your passcode if possible (especially if it’s the same passcode as your phone, which is the case for a lot of people).

 

[Colpeas]

I don't get it. I specifically remember them touting during the launch that since the Watch is on your skin, it's secure. Once you've unlocked it by entering the passcode or through your phone after you put it on in the morning, it's authenticated until you remove it. What problem does this solve?

It doesn’t solve any problems, but Apple needs something to present on the next keynote to make you feel that you need to buy it... because, imagine this headline:

“The new Apple Watch Series 12. With nothing new to it except for the number.”

For me, honestly, there’s been nothing new of significant value added since Series 5. With AW, not even cutting support makes upgrading worthwhile as just about everything most people use on their Watches continues to function normally.

This yearly upgrade schedule is pointless for a product like this and I think that Apple is starting to realise it.

 

[nortonandreev]

What’s the point of having a Touch ID on the watch? Lmao

 

[subjonas]

I really see no point to this. It might make it slightly easier to do Apple Pay, but that's it really.

Your Watch shouldn’t need authentication for Apple Pay as long as it was authenticated earlier and you haven’t taken off the Watch.