Rethinking TouchID, Could Be Really Good

[Velin]

So thinking about my Android phone, I occasionally miss the swipes on the phone unlock pattern. It does get annoying, esp. if on the move. In fact, I kind of hate it, having to swipe it every time I use the phone or I sleep the display.

If the TouchID and fingerprint sensor works the way Apple says it does; if it is both near-instantaneous and not finicky, i.e. works flawlessly even if thumbprint is positioned awkwardly, this could be a really nice feature. Really nice.

Touch phone and use it, without repeated access errors and swipe motions. Over the life of the device, that is a whole lot of mini-frustrations eliminated throughout the day, year after year.

Starting to rethink my initial impressions of the 5s. I thought it was a nice iteration, but I don't care about cameras, so initial reaction was meh. But no access errors (if it works), plus the fact 64-bit and faster processors means I can get a lot of future use out of the phone, it may be a very nice device for the long haul.

Since I've written off the 5c due to the price, maybe the 5s is indeed the way to go. But will the TouchID be near-flawless?

 

[randy98mtu]

The Anandtech hands on preview shows him teaching his fingerprint as well as unlocking with it. His first unlock failed, but I think he was using the corner of his thumb. The Apple employee who had the phone unlocked it with her finger with no problem. The teaching process told him to move his thumb (or finger) around so it learns your entire print. Looks like it should be pretty solid, though it may take a bit of an adjustment in how you touch the button, I think it will be great. I have the same feeling about it, just touching the button instead of pushing it and then swiping (if you have no passcode) will be easier, take the same amount of time, and actually give your device some security.

 

[617aircav]

So thinking about my Android phone, I occasionally miss the swipes on the phone unlock pattern. It does get annoying, esp. if on the move. In fact, I kind of hate it, having to swipe it every time I use the phone or I sleep the display.

If the TouchID and fingerprint sensor works the way Apple says it does; if it is both near-instantaneous and not finicky, i.e. works flawlessly even if thumbprint is positioned awkwardly, this could be a really nice feature. Really nice.

Touch phone and use it, without repeated access errors and swipe motions. Over the life of the device, that is a whole lot of mini-frustrations eliminated throughout the day, year after year.

Starting to rethink my initial impressions of the 5s. I thought it was a nice iteration, but I don't care about cameras, so initial reaction was meh. But no access errors (if it works), plus the fact 64-bit and faster processors means I can get a lot of future use out of the phone, it may be a very nice device for the long haul.

Since I've written off the 5c due to the price, maybe the 5s is indeed the way to go. But will the TouchID be near-flawless?

even the hospital fingerprint scanners dont have a 100 percent success rate, i dont expect the 5s to have 100 percent success rate either.

 

[deeddawg]

even the hospital fingerprint scanners dont have a 100 percent success rate, i dont expect the 5s to have 100 percent success rate either.

Likely true.

The sad thing is some (many?) will forget that they don't manage to enter a PIN or pattern 100% correct every single time time either. Then they'll get their panties in a wad when TouchID doesn't give them the five-nines accuracy they mistakenly "remember" with other methods. I'm sure we'll have a tempest in a teacup here before long.