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Urgency in Apple's Talks with AuthenTec Hints at Rapid Adoption of Fingerprint Scanning Technology

MacRumors said:
... while part leaks seen so far have yet to reveal evidence of the incorporation of a fingerprint sensor, a number of observers have argued that the capabilities could be relatively easily incorporated into the device's home button.
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If I am not mistaken, AuthenTec's technology would not require a separate sensor for this -- maybe just a touch digitizer on the screen that is a bit more accurate. From what I previously read, AuthenTec's technology leverages touch screens and sliding a finger across them to identify fingerprints. This would be the perfect complement to "slide to unlock".
 
GekkePrutser said:
Except the home buttons that leaked so far have been of the normal kind.. Or would they not be visually distinctive?

Not sure if I'd really use this for payment stuff though.. For unlocking my phone, sure (anyone can see my unlock code over my shoulder with minimum effort, so this would be just about as safe). But the iPhone's glass is a fingerprint magnet so it'd be pretty easy for any thief to lift a print off it and use it to trick the sensor somehow... There's been many examples of that over the years, from laser prints on overhead sheets to jelly bean fingers.
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By the time the thief gets around to pulling that feat off, you should have already cleared the sensitive data from your phone from another device. If they manage to have time to use fingerprint lifting and then make purchases before you have a chance to lock down your phone and call your bank, then they're professionals and practically deserve to use your data against you :) Fortunately for us, most thieves with that skill set are usually using their time to perform more profitable crimes. I love this idea and feel that it wouldn't a security setback because it is much easier to hack 4 digit numbers than fingerprints.
 
It will also be able to be used to log into your Mac, once you pair your iPhone with it wirelessly.
 
tootall said:
Agreed, I had one on a Toshiba laptop and it never really worked...
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I had a biometric reader on a Sony Vaio and it worked very well, that was only 2 years ago. This is something I would like to see on my MBP and iOS devices especially as Passport becomes a integral part of our lives.
 
Cool for added security

I think it would be nice to have fingerprint for added security. I know that a 4-number password can be cracked in a matter of seconds but I don't want to type a long/secure password each time I want to glance at my mail. Having the ability for a fingerprint to auto-enter the password would be nice. It'd keep the casual person from bypassing security on the phone...sure the FBI could still crack into it but if your phone is taken by the FBI you're probably screwed anyways. :)
 
Is it possible this could be the reason why the back of the iPhone is metallic? Could Apple incorporate a fingerprint scanner into the black Apple logo on the back plate? This could work very well for scanning index fingers, since your finger is very close to that area when you are using the iPhone. Just thinking out loud, but this could be the reason for the new design on the back of the phone?
 
Killer feature

Actually, the more I think about it, the more I like the idea of fingerprint recognition for added security. I don't think it'd replace my iPhone4S for a phone with a taller screen or better camera...however, if I didn't have to enter my password all the time (and my phone was still protected)...that'd be pretty tempting. :)
 
shiseiryu1 said:
...however, if I didn't have to enter my password all the time (and my phone was still protected)...that'd be pretty tempting. :)
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That would be pretty sweet indeed!

Then again it would be nice on a desktop computer too (handling the multi-user part also based on finger prints ^^).
 
mdelvecchio said:
yes, because street thieves are all about james bond stuff like lifting prints and making reproductions to trick sensors. all before you can reach another phone or browser to disable your stolen one. riiight.
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Not everyone uses Find My iPhone..

When the ewallet thing really takes off I wouldn't be surprised if that becomes a target. I just don't see much point in an authentication method that has its key smudged all over the device it's supposed to be protecting :)
 
Iconoclysm said:
Since this is sub-surface fingerprint reading, your fingerprints on the screen are not actually the prints that are detected by this technology.
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Ah I wasn't aware of that, I thought it was a simple optical fingerprint reader. In that case it probably is quite safe, though I wouldn't be surprised if someone managed to bypass it with common household products. It's happened to most other sensors on the market.
 
SmoMo said:
Yeh, I've never heard of it either.
I was just throwing that one in there in case anyone wants to make a movie about a hole behind a poster.
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Shawshank Redemption. he burrowed out of his cell and hid the hole with a poster on the wall.
 
Oh great, the ridiculous claims are starting again and everyone is getting there hopes up just like with every iPhone release so far. I'm not even sure if I would like to see a fingerprint scanner on my iPhone. I see the point (passbook), not sure if it would be that fantastic though.
 
Yes please

Forget mobile payments - I want this on the lock screen.

Anyone who has an iPhone that's locked down by corporate security and has to enter a "complex password" every time they unlock knows what I'm talking about.

Would be a game-changing feature, IMO.
 
djdover said:
Oh great, the ridiculous claims are starting again and everyone is getting there hopes up just like with every iPhone release so far. I'm not even sure if I would like to see a fingerprint scanner on my iPhone. I see the point (passbook), not sure if it would be that fantastic though.
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Even if it was transparently built into the LCD screen?
I mean you hit **** on your phone with your thumb. What if the screen can not only read your touch but also you fingerprint.

No passwords, no codes, no keys, nothing needed. Just your touching pay and the phone taking care of the rest.
 
Sensor Placement and Leaked iPhone 5 Frame

authentec_mobile_device_scanner.jpg
Nouvel-iPhone-5-LogicBoard.jpg
forntglass9to5.png


Looks like this sensor would fit just fine in the outside upper corner of the new iPhone. There is a larger and exactly the same shaped rectangle slot in the frame. Plus, glass coverings will still exist in the upper and lower part of the phone and would explain why the headphone jack went to the bottom.

As well, it seems that a lefty or righty holding the iPhone could easily swipe down an index finger to run a transaction.

****Additional notes. This sensor will most likely be a proprietary "Apple Sensor" designed with the help of AuthenTec's technology and expertise. I assume by the slot size, it will be nearly the same sensor in this article, just larger to fit the iPhone 5 purposes. Apple also probably wanted to acquire the company as widely mentioned in order to avoid future collaboration and royalties in subsequent models of the iPhone. Obviously, once in the product, we will not want to lose the capability.

****Here is a link to AuthenTec's 8-K and developer's agreement with Apple. Search "Apple Sensor" and its definition is in Exhibit A.
http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1138830/000119312512318086/d384083dex101.htm

****It is going to happen.
 
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extradryny said:
Forget mobile payments - I want this on the lock screen.

Anyone who has an iPhone that's locked down by corporate security and has to enter a "complex password" every time they unlock knows what I'm talking about.

Would be a game-changing feature, IMO.
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Exactly - my corporate security requires a passphrase which is a pain in the neck every time I want to read mail. While introduced two years ago - being introduced on a high volume phone like the iPhone would be a market shift for sure. Hopefully we see this in less than a month!!!
 
shiseiryu1 said:
I think it would be nice to have fingerprint for added security. I know that a 4-number password can be cracked in a matter of seconds but I don't want to type a long/secure password each time I want to glance at my mail. Having the ability for a fingerprint to auto-enter the password would be nice. It'd keep the casual person from bypassing security on the phone...sure the FBI could still crack into it but if your phone is taken by the FBI you're probably screwed anyways. :)
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To be fair a four digit passcode is a little more secure than that. There are exactly 10,000 possible permutations, and iOS will lock you out for a period of time if you input the wrong code six times in a row.
 
badmartigan said:
Image

Image

Image

Looks like this sensor would fit just fine in the outside upper corner of the new iPhone. There is a larger and exactly the same shaped rectangle slot in the frame. Plus, glass coverings will still exist in the upper and lower part of the phone and would explain why the headphone jack went to the bottom.
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Good spot! Looks feasible to me.
 
badmartigan said:
Image

Image

Image

Looks like this sensor would fit just fine in the outside upper corner of the new iPhone. There is a larger and exactly the same shaped rectangle slot in the frame. Plus, glass coverings will still exist in the upper and lower part of the phone and would explain why the headphone jack went to the bottom.
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Good catch!!! I say that looks very likely! You may have just nailed the new location of this new scanner. Man...I cannot wait until this is launched!!!
 
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