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

[d0vr]

True but this is way cooler. Remember the multi-user-by-face-detection rumor before the 1st iPad unveiled?

If Apple were that interested in supporting multi-user support for their devices, they wouldn't do so at a cost to them, if it can be done with software methods. Yes it is cool to scan a users face or fingerprint, but there are better, cheaper ways of achieving multi-user support.

My idea on how to implement facial recognition correctly was to use a kinect like system that emits an infrared light on to the face - which removes the photo bypass method for what it's worth. I think this could be the future idea behind technology such as Leap (www.leapmotion.com) though.

 

[kd5jos]

I really cant see it being that useful. If someone wants your data that badly they'll be able to get it one way or another.

I'm guessing you don't have a lock on your front door or your car (doors or ignition) for the same reason? I mean if someone really wants your car or what's in your house they can get passed a key lock pretty easy really...

You've just demonstrated how little you understand defense in depth. This isn't the ONLY protection built in to the system. It's part of a multilayer approach.

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Nice idea, but how unique are fingerprints? See report on New Scientist article doubting their uniqueness and the authorities reluctance to conduct serious research on the matter here.

It's not so much that "uniqueness" is in doubt. It's more of a question of how many points do you need to sample to sufficiently prove that a fingerprint belongs to the individual in question. Do you look at ten points, 14 points, 28 points? How many does it take?

What about creating a system that rather than selecting a number of points, heuristically analyzes the entire print and compares it to what is in memory, creating a certainty level that you are allowed to adjust?

 

[tigress666]

When looking the time from stuff being bought and then incorporated historical - there is no chance in hell that this will be out in the next 9 month.

and even the next 21 months looks doubtful - Apple is getting all kinds of cool tech like liquid metal, and just look at the first prototype, predating the launch of iphone by 3 years.... (and im sure there is earlier models some were )

september 2014 is when we will see fingerprint in mobile .... earliest ... but perhaps first in pro and air models.. then ipad and iphone

No, I think this will be more like the maps thing last year... it was announced they bought it last year, and we see it in this year's iOS.

As much as I want to hope this means this iphone gets NFC with fingerprint scanner (and part of me is hoping I'm wrong and Apple will surprise me with how quick they are to put it in after getting it), I would bet that it would happen in next year's phone.

I think you're being a little too pessimistic how long it would take them to adopt this. Especially considering if they take til 2014 to do NFC, they are either going to be really late in the game (not just late as in Apple tends to take its time), or NFC will have faded away and decided to have been a failed thing.

 

[Mundty]

I sure hope finger print scanning comes soon to Apple products. I've got detailed information on my iPhone and MacBook Pro. While I don't mind using password protection on my MacBook Pro, it's a little annoying on the iPhone having to type out a password every time I want to unlock the phone. It's even worse when you're driving and trying to do something simple like changing the song, or making a call without taking your eyes off the road.

There's too much information there about my family and friends... and I don't use the lock because of the reasons above. A finger print scanner would solve the problem.

 

[darkslide29]

If it were coming to THIS iPhone in September, wouldn't there be a clue of some sort in iOS6? Serious question.. I suppose they could hold out and make it a surprise, but it would be difficult to do so, seeing that they will release 9 days after announcement.

 

[bawbac]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think Apple's privacy policy mentions anything about selling your personal information.

Sorry. They can share them with their "partners."

 

[sazivad]

Sorry. They can share them with their "partners."

From Apple's privacy policy:

Personal information… will not be shared with third parties for their marketing purposes.

 

[bawbac]

From Apple's privacy policy:

From the same privacy link.
And we all know, once they have the data, they can use it how ever they please.

At times Apple may make certain personal information available to strategic partners that work with Apple to provide products and services, or that help Apple market to customers

Oh, and let's post the entire quote.

Personal information will only be shared by Apple to provide or improve our products, services and advertising; it will not be shared with third parties for their marketing purposes.

 

[ixodes]

How original.

Eight years after being introduced, implemented and broadly adopted by the enterprise, Apple considers a fingerprint scanner.

Wonders never cease...

 

[sazivad]

And we all know, once [Apple] has the data, they can use it however they please.

Okay. If you don't want to use Apple's products, that's fine. Just be prepared for any suitable alternatives to have similar privacy policies. Like, say, Google, who reads the contents of you Gmail messages in order to present to you "better" ads.

Nearly all modern companies collect some form of personal information, and, as you said, they can use it however they please. This is not an Apple-specific "issue".

 

[mdlee2009]

huh? siri works fine on my phone -- i use several times a week it to set appointments and reminders, and send short texts as i walk.

is yours broken?

I think people are way too critical so I am not upset at all. But consumers have come to expect a certain standard from Apple, and there were many complaints (still are) about Siri. So yes, they screwed the pooch initially with Siri (and Maps) because they weren't at an almost flawless standard. I haven't had issues with either, but there have been multiple valid complaints.