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Sketchy Rumor Claims MacBooks, Magic Mouse and Magic Trackpad to Gain Touch ID

Meanwhile, integrating Touch ID on the Magic Mouse and Magic Trackpad would be complex due to the need for secure wireless transmitting authentication.
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That wouldn't really be an issue. Touch ID currently works by programming the fingerprint into the chip dedicated to the Touch ID system. When another app wants ID confirmation, it asks the Touch ID system "is this person X?" and Touch ID simply responds with "yes" or "no."

Touch ID on a wireless mouse could be the same. The communication between the mouse and the computer wouldn't need to be secure, because the only things being passed would be "is this person X?" and either "yes" or "no." The actual fingerprint ID would only need to exist on the mouse and could be sequestered (as it is in the iPhone now) so that no other software has access to it.
 
The Magic Trackpad alone represents to me about 50% of what is good in Apple today. I'd love to see it get better.
 
sambredeson said:
That wouldn't really be an issue. Touch ID currently works by programming the fingerprint into the chip dedicated to the Touch ID system. When another app wants ID confirmation, it asks the Touch ID system "is this person X?" and Touch ID simply responds with "yes" or "no."

Touch ID on a wireless mouse could be the same. The communication between the mouse and the computer wouldn't need to be secure, because the only things being passed would be "is this person X?" and either "yes" or "no." The actual fingerprint ID would only need to exist on the mouse and could be sequestered (as it is in the iPhone now) so that no other software has access to it.
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What needs to be secure is identifying that the 'yes' is coming from a genuine Apple device and not from an impostor and that others don't simply connect their Apple mouse (with their fingerprint stored) to the computer. Both questions also apply to wired mice and keyboards.
 
prowlmedia said:
"there is limited space above the trackpad on MacBooks for pple to implement Touch ID, especially on the upcoming 12-inch MacBook Air."

If only there was space to the side... also who edits these?! 'pple' !
*edit* this was fixed!
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How about making theApple logo that shines through MBPs etc. the touch sensor.
 
Adding TouchID to a standalone mouse or trackpad is very unlikely. It makes it quite expensive, and it would be hacked. However, you could potentially add TouchID to a built-in trackpad. My guess would be that's what they're actually trying.

I would use TouchID on my computer all the time. I really hate typing in my credit card details on sites, both because it's time consuming and annoying and because I know that websites get hacked all the time. Apple's TouchID would make buying stuff online much easier and more secure. It's just a matter of time.
 
deconstruct60 said:
Simply adding a TouchID scanner will not make a MacBook , mouse , or trackpad a NFC-base mobile payment platform. No NFC means no NFC-platform. So as a mobile payment system this is beyond extremely dubious.

All this might be is a laptop fingerprint sensor that allows to skip typing passwords. It would feed into Apple's online stores and other online stores that tap into ApplePay. That isn't necessarily restricted to mobile.
Instead of "1 click" to buy mode it is "1 click" and swipe finger which is a tad more secure. [ e.g., certainly can keep young child from buying apps for the Mac when parent steps away . ]
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I think that is what the article actually meant to say: that you can have more secure authentication for online transactions akin to systems that currently use a card reader. Secure authentication is best based on something you know combined with something you have (eg, finger).
 
Space is an issue on the trackpad?

Just shell out the <1" in the upper left corner of the trackpad on the laptops. Use TouchID with your pointer finger. Space/usability issue solved.
 
Why, if they can put Touch ID in the trackpad itself of the standalone Magic Trackpad, would they need to make space ABOVE the trackpad on a MacBook for it?
 
shyam09 said:
Do built in fingerprint readers on PCs (Windows computers) even exist nowadays? I remember there was a huge phase a few years ago where fingerprint readers was a customizable configuration, but I don't see it as often now.
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Yes, it is an option on some laptops. I've seen it on both Toshiba's and Thinkpads, and I'm sure it is on a few others.

Of course, in the Windows world, fingerprint readers are all supported by custom software written especially for that particular model by the manufacturer. That severely limits the usefulness of the device. You aren't going to see 1Password support Toshiba's fingerprint reader anytime soon, for example.

Apple, on the other hand, would just support it in the OS, and it would be extremely useful. They are so serious about Apple Pay, which requires a fingerprint reader to work, that I'm certain this rumor is at least partially true.

I think it is coming, and it is going to be great!
 
The NFC-based mobile payments platform is currently limited to the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus
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I am fairly certain the NFC-aspect of Apple Pay is not going to come to MacBooks, Magic Mouse or Magic Trackpad.

Apple Pay is not limited to iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, but is also currently available on iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 3. Both have the NFC chip in them, but only because that is where the "secure element" is located in the hardware architecture. The actual NFC capability is missing from iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 3, but both of these devices have the same kind of Apple Pay that one would expect to come to the Mac.

I, for one, have no plans of waving my MacBook in front of a mobile payment terminal.
 
Some people actually love to type out their passwords. Kind of like a cool spy, or collector of Barnyard Fun videos....whatever.

Apple needs to make this defacto for those of use who actually loath passwords. I do not understand the continuing need to type in ridiculous passwords when the damn button is right there and is more secure anyway.
 
Packdude said:
Touch ID would be of little use on a MBP and even less useful on a Magic Mouse or Trackpad. The benefit of having it on your phone is because it allows you to have complex passcodes that would be difficult to enter on a tiny keyboard. That's not an issue on a laptop keyboard. There are already apps that will allow you to unlock your MBP with your iPhone or iPad if you really need that functionality. Why mess up the design of the MM & MTP or the MBP for that matter.
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Type this on your keyboard in a hurry.

e6umAdZcggDd8MGDaZx6lB1RGyxGCaSvv3Qabl?dCzxaRKqg]5
 
BCWorld said:
Really don't see the point of this. Been using macs for many years, I have never had a lock screen on mine.
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Maybe there wouldn't be a point for you. I assume you are the only user of your macs, or you completely trust every other person who has access to it.

For me, also a mac user for many years, there is a lot of point. I travel with my MBP, and use it in an office with many other people. Locking the screen is a good idea, to keep unauthorized users from accessing my information.

It wouldn't be just for the lock screen. When my computer is unlocked, I may use it to access my bank and brokerage accounts on their websites. Keychain remembers my passwords for me, so I don't have to type them in. Unfortunately, that means no one else who sat down at my unlocked computer would have to type them in either. They fill in automatically!

I'd like to have the convenience of auto-filling passwords combined with the security of the computer only filling them in when I am the person at the keyboard.

Then there is Apple Pay. Keychain also helpfully stores my credit card numbers, so I (or some unauthorized user sitting at my keyboard) don't have to type them. With TouchID and Apple Pay, the numbers themselves wouldn't have to be on my computer or transmitted to Amazon or any other vendor. Just a token, and only my fingerprint would authorize that token to be sent to the online vendor.
 
Traverse said:
I could see it on MacBooks, but I really doubt it will be on a magic mouse. Possibly a magic trackpad I suppose, but I'm doubtful.
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I am also wondering how all this would work. I would not expect a home button like spot on a mouse or track pad. That would be awkward. Still the idea of being able to use a TouchID to log into the computer and use apple pay for online purchases on a computer would be awesome. Will be interesting to see if this is true and how they implement it.
 
newagemac said:
The magic mouse is the most ergonomic mouse I've ever used. It completely got rid of the pain in my right wrist from long periods of use working on my laptop.

My guess is you tried "gripping" the mouse like you would a regular mouse. You're not supposed to "grip" it AT ALL. Just rest your arm/wrist on the table and let your fingers just lay on the mouse. I work in egonomics and this design (not having to grip it) is exactly what makes it so comfortable and less stressful on your tendons.
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I was surprised by all the complaints too. I love mine. It's very comfortable, and the swiping from workspace to workspace is the single thing I miss most working on Windows.
 
jhfenton said:
I was surprised by all the complaints too. I love mine. It's very comfortable, and the swiping from workspace to workspace is the single thing I miss most working on Windows.
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Cant stand my magic mouse. its just the bottom that doesn't slide well on most surfaces I use it on. the Feet are just terrible
 
Packdude said:
Touch ID would be of little use on a MBP and even less useful on a Magic Mouse or Trackpad. The benefit of having it on your phone is because it allows you to have complex passcodes that would be difficult to enter on a tiny keyboard. That's not an issue on a laptop keyboard. There are already apps that will allow you to unlock your MBP with your iPhone or iPad if you really need that functionality. Why mess up the design of the MM & MTP or the MBP for that matter.
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The thing with the phone app is that its always needs to be next to your computer which is not always the case and typing a password even on a nice keyboard is still a hassle.
Why so serious? They wont just slap Touch ID on somehow, they would integrate it like they did with the home button. You can't deny that Touch ID built into Macs/trackpads/mice would be ffing sick, omg I'm getting all aroused just thinking about it :D
In regards to apps that do it for now you got any recommendations? The only one I could find is MacID which is alrite.
 
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When you have to type a password on your laptop, just place your finger next to the trackpad and voala! Brilliant! And only if they can encrypt the OS X by default and on a hardware level so no one can ever access the data on your computer without chopping your finger first would be great.
 
Fix Touch ID first

I don't understand why TouchID always requires me to use my password a lot. The whole point of this is to use biometrics and avoid having to use a password. I frequently get the message that I have to enter my password because the iDevice was rebooted, or was not used after 48 hours or some other stupid reason. Also randomly and for no reason, even after using TouchID to get into the iDevice, I still have to use a password when making an App store purchase of a free thing.

It is not more secure to attach stupid rules to a feature; make the feature secure in the first place. For instance why is it more secure to enter a password after 48 hours of non-use as opposed to just using my fingerprint? Also why does a reboot need my password?

I might just turn the whole TouchID feature off because I have to use my password more often than not and its annoying when a feature has stupid limitations imposed by Apple that make it functionally useless in most cases.

Another great feature hindered by a lack of quality and usability control at Apple.
 
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