Authorization
Apple patent application hints at
Whoa, now here’s a patent that’s actually worth discussing. (The majority of patents are boring, that’s the implication.). Published for the first time this week, a patent filing for the process reveals that Apple wants to provide a more secure method for preventing unauthorized access to a whole device — or private information on that device — than current techniques like passcodes; That is, the device would have a built-in scanner, biometric or otherwise, that would determine if you’re really you, if that makes any sense at all. You touch the iPhone’s screen and it recognizes your fingerprint; hello, world! You place your palm on your MacBook’s palm rest and trackpad and the computer recognizes you; no password needed anymore!
The solution, the company suggests, would be to automatically use a sensor either hidden within the device or else repurposed from its usual role. Devices could recognize a fingerprint or finger vein pattern simply by waiting for the user to touch the display, which would hide the sensors on or behind the screen. A forward-facing camera could alternately look for retinal patterns or even recognize the facial features of owners when they're in the right position for use.
Notebooks could use the trackpad, palmrest and a webcam for a similar purpose. Biometrics could also be context-sensitive and detect the shape of a user's ear before allowing a call to go through, for example.
( Read more )
The solution, the company suggests, would be to automatically use a sensor either hidden within the device or else repurposed from its usual role. Devices could recognize a fingerprint or finger vein pattern simply by waiting for the user to touch the display, which would hide the sensors on or behind the screen. A forward-facing camera could alternately look for retinal patterns or even recognize the facial features of owners when they're in the right position for use.
Notebooks could use the trackpad, palmrest and a webcam for a similar purpose. Biometrics could also be context-sensitive and detect the shape of a user's ear before allowing a call to go through, for example.
( Read more )
Finally, iPhone 3.0 to get MMS and copy&paste?
Apple have announced a special event on March 17th, where the company will launch the iPhone OS 3.0 Software. As usual, it has triggered a lot of speculation about what might be coming in the new release.
Mac Rumors cited Boy Genius Report that claims to have heard two most-awaited features: MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service) and tethering:
MMS would finally offer iPhone users the ability to send photos by way of SMS, and tethering would allow you to share your iPhone’s internet connection with your laptop computer. An alleged Steve Jobs email even confirmed that Apple had been working on a thethering solution, so it certainly seems feasible. BoyGeniusReport’s record, however, has been spotty, so we can’t be entirely confident of the report.
Mac Rumors also mentioned:
…a better app-managing SpringBoard (with categories?), a solution to “push” notifications (background tasks?), and, yes… even copy and paste…
Will 3.0 OS be available for the iPhone 3G? I hope so.
Mac Rumors cited Boy Genius Report that claims to have heard two most-awaited features: MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service) and tethering:
MMS would finally offer iPhone users the ability to send photos by way of SMS, and tethering would allow you to share your iPhone’s internet connection with your laptop computer. An alleged Steve Jobs email even confirmed that Apple had been working on a thethering solution, so it certainly seems feasible. BoyGeniusReport’s record, however, has been spotty, so we can’t be entirely confident of the report.
Mac Rumors also mentioned:
…a better app-managing SpringBoard (with categories?), a solution to “push” notifications (background tasks?), and, yes… even copy and paste…
Will 3.0 OS be available for the iPhone 3G? I hope so.