New York City's MTA Urges Apple to Further Protect Riders During Pandemic

[MacRumors]

In a letter obtained by The Associated Press, New York City's transit agency MTA has encouraged Apple to accelerate the deployment of technology-based solutions to further protect users amid the global health crisis.

MTA Chairman Patrick Foye said riders have been seen removing their masks to unlock their iPhones using Face ID, despite a recent software update by Apple that makes it easier for masked users to enter their passcode instead.

"We understand Apple is working to address the issue and know that Apple has a range of technologies at its disposal as a global leader among tech companies," Foye wrote in the letter to Apple CEO Tim Cook. "We urge Apple to accelerate the deployment of new technologies and solutions that further protect customers in the era of COVID-19."

Foye said that the MTA would be willing to collaborate with Apple to promote a recent change in iOS 13.5 that allows a masked user to swipe up on the screen to immediately bring up the passcode interface when unlocking their iPhone. This could discourage people from taking off their mask briefly to unlock with Face ID, which does not work with masks.

The report notes that the MTA lost more than 90 percent of its subway ridership during the height of the COVID-19 lockdown in the New York area. Ridership is said to have slowly increased again, but still lags far behind pre-pandemic levels.

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Article Link: New York City's MTA Urges Apple to Further Protect Riders During Pandemic

 

[RoboCop001]

lol so Apple should solve every COVID subway and transit problem in the world? lol come on! I'm surprised the TTC isn't the one saying this. "Hey, we can't get our riders to practice safe distancing. Better call Apple!"

 

[madmin]

With all their experience with retina screens you'd have thunk Apple could scan mine

 

[DominikHoffmann]

Even if you believe that masks are effective in stopping the spread of COVID, why would you concerned, if a rider removed his mask for a brief fraction of his ride? Masks do not filter the exhaled air for all particulates. Usually, they simply redirect the airflow up toward the eyes.

 

[xxray]

So they offer no solution for Apple to implement? Just “accelerate the deployment of new technologies” in already released phones?

 

[TheIguana]

Anecdotal evidence, but I have yet to get FaceID to work with my iPhone X while wearing a mask, so whatever they changed in the 13.5 update has done nothing for me day to day.

It would be wonderful out of this if Apple included both TouchID and FaceID on future phones, at least then we get the best of both worlds.

 

[1144557]

Even if you believe that masks are effective in stopping the spread of COVID, why would you concerned, if a rider removed his mask for a brief fraction of his ride? Masks do not filter the exhaled air for all particulates. Usually, they simply redirect the airflow up toward the eyes.

Please. There are dozens of scientific studies that masks are SOME level of effectiveness. Its all about things like viral load- a few spores may not make you sick, 10k may. ANY level of lessening the viral load can prevent you from getting it. They REALLY need to start teaching basic science in school again......

Further:

No one has anything to lose wearing one. There is no credible scientific evidence anyone with a medical condition "cant breath" or the other nonsense claim

Unless you are part of the Freedom To Breathe Agency cult. And yes a few seconds does matter. One cough can spread millions of droplets around.

There is more than enough credible evidence that if universal mask-wearing was implemented earlier the death toll would be lower (and yes there was a lot of not sharing info early out of China, so that is not blaming anyone in the US or government directly, this was all best guess early); studies in other countries and in Asia have proved it true where their death tolls were a mere percent of the US.

Anyone questioning it belongs in the hashtag #COVIDIOT. Im not usually a PC "feelings" type of person but that attitude is a direct slap in the face to the families of the dead.

 

[ArtOfWarfare]

Why not just promote the idea of not locking the phone at all?
90% of people didn't lock their phone until the fingerprint scanner was introduced with the 5S in 2013. Locking became popular because unlocking became so easy. Now that unlocking is hard again, lets just go back to not locking.

 

[sully54]

Touch ID will return in for iPhone 13 🤞

 

[dannyyankou]

What can they do?

Even if you believe that masks are effective in stopping the spread of COVID, why would you concerned, if a rider removed his mask for a brief fraction of his ride? Masks do not filter the exhaled air for all particulates. Usually, they simply redirect the airflow up toward the eyes.

They block water droplets from leaving the mouth and nose. Let’s say they remove their mask briefly and they sneeze. Possible COVID plume everywhere.

That being said, there’s nothing Apple can do here.

 

[BigJayhawk]

Anecdotal evidence, but I have yet to get FaceID to work with my iPhone X while wearing a mask, so whatever they changed in the 13.5 update has done nothing for me day to day.

It would be wonderful out of this if Apple included both TouchID and FaceID on future phones, at least then we get the best of both worlds.

FaceID does not work with a mask on. That is the point made in the article. Apple will not make it work with a mask on they just plan to make the entering of your passcode a faster process for those wearing masks. All of this info is in the article.

 

[ian87w]

Anecdotal evidence, but I have yet to get FaceID to work with my iPhone X while wearing a mask, so whatever they changed in the 13.5 update has done nothing for me day to day.

It would be wonderful out of this if Apple included both TouchID and FaceID on future phones, at least then we get the best of both worlds.

The update is not to allow FaceID to work with masks. It is to bring up the Pin pad right away instead of waiting for FaceID to fail its scan.

 

[DaveMcM76]

Anecdotal evidence, but I have yet to get FaceID to work with my iPhone X while wearing a mask, so whatever they changed in the 13.5 update has done nothing for me day to day.

The change wasn’t to allow Face ID to work while wearing a mask - although you could use your Alternate Appearance option to train face id while wearing your mask as I think some people have got this working. The change in 13.5 was to pop up the keypad / keyboard more quickly when attempting to unlock the phone so if you are wearing a mask and Face ID can’t recognise you then there is less of a delay before you can enter your passcode to unlock your phone with that.

 

[wolfshades]

I have a serious question: what does the MTA expect Apple to do? Do they want Apple to create a FaceID that takes the mask into account? Not going to happen, as there's no standard for masks.

 

[ersan191]

This whole thing is kind of dumb but it could probably be solved by just bringing up the passcode interface alongside the Face ID interface immediately.

 

[jayducharme]

It's somewhat amusing to me that the amazing technology behind FaceID has been thwarted by a virus. I'm curious whether Apple knew that it could be a problem, since much of the population of Asia has been regularly wearing masks for years.

 

[BlueCreek]

Anecdotal evidence, but I have yet to get FaceID to work with my iPhone X while wearing a mask, so whatever they changed in the 13.5 update has done nothing for me day to day.

Why not look up what was changed before complaining the update didn’t do what you wanted it to do. Apple never promised to make FaceID work while wearing a mask.

If you really want your FaceID to work with your mask on, turn on alternative appearance and register your face wearing a mask. Although I’m not sure how un-secure this would make your FaceID.

 

[katbel]

So easy to solve: they were Apple rumours about reintroducing touch ID with Face ID in the next iPhone
This would solve the problem

 

[lenard]

Please. There are dozens of scientific studies that masks are SOME level of effectiveness. Its all about things like viral load- a few spores may not make you sick, 10k may. ANY level of lessening the viral load can prevent you from getting it. They REALLY need to start teaching basic science in school again......

Further:

No one has anything to lose wearing one. There is no credible scientific evidence anyone with a medical condition "cant breath" or the other nonsense claim

Unless you are part of the Freedom To Breathe Agency cult. And yes a few seconds does matter. One cough can spread millions of droplets around.

There is more than enough credible evidence that if universal mask-wearing was implemented earlier the death toll would be lower (and yes there was a lot of not sharing info early out of China, so that is not blaming anyone in the US or government directly, this was all best guess early); studies in other countries and in Asia have proved it true where their death tolls were a mere percent of the US.

Anyone questioning it belongs in the hashtag #COVIDIOT. Im not usually a PC "feelings" type of person but that attitude is a direct slap in the face to the families of the dead.

I sure wish we had a trillion people like you that understanding this as I do also and perhaps we all would be in a better shape today. Actually common sense should tell anyone with a brain that some protection is even better than no
protection...

 

[1144557]

This whole thing is kind of dumb but it could probably be solved by just bringing up the passcode interface alongside the Face ID interface immediately.

Let me adust that for you. "but it could probably be solved by just" giving the user a choice with both face unlock and physical or in-screen fingerprint.

It's somewhat amusing to me that the amazing technology behind FaceID has been thwarted by a virus. I'm curious whether Apple knew that it could be a problem, since much of the population of Asia has been regularly wearing masks for years.

I think Apple simpy didnt care. Asia may be a good chunk of sales, but not the majority. And Apple fans will buy Apple because, well, Apple. Even if it was a literal plastic turd in a box.

It's my rough understanding it is was more of a status symbol over there. Apple does waht Apple wants and counts on people still buying their stuff regardless

 

[unobtainium]

It's somewhat amusing to me that the amazing technology behind FaceID has been thwarted by a virus. I'm curious whether Apple knew that it could be a problem, since much of the population of Asia has been regularly wearing masks for years.

Another great reason to bring back Touch ID, under the glass.

 

[1144557]

Actually common sense should tell anyone with a brain that some protection is even better than no
protection...

Giggity.

 

[BlueCreek]

This whole thing is kind of dumb but it could probably be solved by just bringing up the passcode interface alongside the Face ID interface immediately.

This is exactly the update Apple have already released, when I wear a mask the passcode entry opens up straight away.
No idea why people still feel the need to lift off their mask, probably too lazy to enter in their passcode.

 

[mnsportsgeek]

Hopefully TouchID is back on the menu for 2021.

 

[1144557]

This is exactly the update Apple have already released, when I wear a mask the passcode entry opens up straight away.
No idea why people still feel the need to lift off their mask, probably too lazy to enter in their passcode.

Right, but then why have biometrics at all? It defeats the purpose in a way of touting Face ID and its protections. Biometrics are both convenience and security. A PIN 100 times a day isnt convenient.

I think the true solution here is Apple is going to have to look into Touch ID again in some form and quickly; masks arent going away in the next 6-12-18 months per all scientists I have heard from

I got literally scolded in another thread in these forums why we shouldn't be demanding more options from Apple (at least both Face ID and Touch ID, or at least another variant of the device). Oh as well as smaller notch and 120hz in a $1000+ device and why I shouldnt want that or its a gimmick. Like LOL, the Apple cultists are real.