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Can the iPhone read your palm?
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Image from Technologizer
The iPhone needs biometric fingerprint recognition. Instead of requiring you to enter a passcode to secure your data, the iPhone should be able to recognize you by your fingerprint. This would allow you to touch the iPhone and have secure access to the device and its data with the touch of a finger. No more cryptic passcode required but your data would be reasonably well protected. IT organizations would love the kind of security this capability would bring.
In a recent column, I lamented Apple’s omission of biometrics in the current iPhone 3G and 3G S. Imagine my surprise when, after the column appeared, I found that, indeed, there are indications that Apple may have a fingerprint identification patent application pending for the iPhone.
According to MacRumors this “very intriguing patent application suggests the detection of a user's individual fingerprints as an input method.” MacRumors goes on to that that “Apple's research involves the use of fingerprint patterns to actually identify distinct fingers.” Wow!
Apparently, the idea behind this patent allows the use of different fingers to perform different functions on the phone. It’s not too far a stretch to imagine that touching one finger to the display could make a call. Another could hang a call up. While a third could send an unwanted sales call right to voice mail heaven (perhaps the middle finger could be selected for this action.)
There are several other finger functions that come to mind as well. As MacRumors points out, this could also prove useful for playing music or videos on the iPhone. They report that “an index finger press might perform one action (PLAY/STOP) while a middle finger press could fast forward.”
It also makes sense that, assuming that Apple builds biometric recognition into the iPhone, this function could be just as easily be used to secure the device and its data. Touch your finger to the screen and Voila! you are granted immediate access to the device. Someone else grabbing your device might be allowed limited functionality such as emergency calls or even a call to alert you that the device has been located, but denied access for anything else. Taking this one step further, Apple could be a KeyChain like feature where co-workers could be provided some limited access to the device.
Of course, Apple holds unreleased features very close to their chest—and for understandable reasons. Still it’s interesting to conjecture as to what could come from the filing of this patent application.
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