Touch ID

Apple researching a system that would capture biometric data of thieves via iPhone sensors

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 25, 2016

An Apple patent application published Thursday by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) describes methods of capturing and storing biometric information of thieves via the iPhone's sensors, including fingerprints, photos, videos and a wealth of other forensic data.

Titled “Biometric capture for unauthorized user identification,” the proposed and somewhat controversial security system would leverage machine learning to proactively capture an unauthorized user's fingerprint and a picture after unsuccessful Touch ID/passcode attempts or if user-defined criteria have been met.

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This tweak lets you unlock your iPhone with Touch ID even without a passcode

Anthony Bouchard ∙ August 13, 2016

All of Apple's iPhones since the iPhone 5s, and even the latest iPad models, come with Touch ID fingerprint scanners that let you have access to your device almost immediately without the need to waste time entering a password or passcode at the Lock screen.

However, if you never use a passcode anyways, but you still enjoy the functionality of Touch ID, you can use a new jailbreak tweak called AlwaysTouch.

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Nowability adds music controls and recent notifications to Reachability

Anthony Bouchard ∙ July 16, 2016

Those of you who use the Reachability interface at all know that it can come in handy during times when you want better one-handed access to the features at the top of your 4.7-inch or 5.5-inch display.

On the other hand, it leaves a big void at the top of the screen that could be utilized to display additional information about your device, and that's just what a new jailbreak tweak called Nowability aims to accomplish.

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iOS 10 tidbit: unlocking iPhone and iPad without launching Home screen

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 5, 2016

As we wrote before, iOS 10 changes the way unlocking your iPhone, iPad and iPod touch works. For starters, iOS 10 does away with the familiar slide-to-unlock gesture so instead of “Slide to Unlock”, which now takes you to a dedicated widgets screen, you get to see a new “Press Home to unlock” message on the Lock screen.

As a result, unlocking a Touch ID-outfitted iOS device now requires you to press the Home button rather than rest your finger on it, like in prior editions of the software. But as it turns out, iOS 10 gives users another, previously unavailable option for unlocking their device without automatically launching the Home screen.

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Next-gen MacBook Pro to integrate Touch ID into the Power button?

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated February 22, 2017

Apple is believed to be working on the next MacBook Pro upgrade that should include, among a faster Intel processor and graphics and other hardware-related enhancements, an OLED bar replacing the row of function keys on the keyboard with programmable touch-sensitive shortcuts that could automatically change from one app to another.

In a new report Monday, 9to5Mac has learned from a sketchy source that the rumored OLED touch bar might be accompanied by a Touch ID sensor for fingerprint login.

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Judge tosses ‘Error 53’ lawsuit against Apple out of the window

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 21, 2016

A United States district court judge has tossed so-called 'Error 53' lawsuit against Apple out of the window on grounds that the plaintiffs “lack standing to pursue injunctive relief”. The plaintiffs argued that the iOS 9 software update causing certain devices with a faulty Touch ID or Home button, like the iPhone 6, to be bricked has resulted in permanent data loss.

They were unable, however, to frame the argument in court a legal loss.

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Code found in macOS Sierra hints at rumored OLED touch bar, Touch ID support

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

Some evidence has been discovered within the code of the initial macOS Sierra beta that suggests there may be some truth to the rumors that Apple is building a MacBook Pro with a built-in OLED touch bar and Touch ID support. As noted by French site Mac Generation, there are several mysterious 'kHIDUsage_LED' references in macOS, as well as mention of support for "biometric devices."

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MacID for iOS and Mac updated with a slew of new features and fixes

Anthony Bouchard ∙ Updated June 25, 2018

The popular app for iPhone and iPad that lets you unlock your Mac with your Touch ID sensor over a low-energy Bluetooth connection has received an important update on Tuesday that adds a number of new features to the app and fixes a number of previously-known issues.

The update is free for everyone who owns MacID already for both the iOS and OS X apps, and make the new features and stability available across both platforms immediately following installation.

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John Gruber: 2017 iPhone may have edge-to-edge display with integrated Touch ID and camera

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 11, 2016

Apple pundit John Gruber who runs the Daring Fireball blog has reportedly learned that the next year's iPhone—which some people think will be marketed as 'iPhone 8' rather than 'iPhone 7s'—may sport an edge-to-edge display that could allow an entirely new form-factor device to have a slightly smaller appearance without sacrificing screen size.

But that's not all: although Gruber did not say this with complete certainty, he's heard “scuttlebutt“ suggesting Apple's somehow managed to integrate Touch ID fingerprint verification, a front-facing camera and other components into the screen itself.

If true, 2017 iPhones should be the most radical departure from the device's design so we may finally live to see the iPhone get rid of its chin and the forehead.

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