Apple Watch patent shows possible addition of Touch ID

A recently discovered patent application hints at Apple Watch possibly getting in-display Touch ID for an additional level of security. The patent refers to "a touch sensing device, force-sensing device, temperature-sensing device, and/or fingerprint sensor" that can be placed behind the screen. It doesn't seem like a far off idea given that the Apple Watch already supports Apple Pay.

The patent describes having the wireless antennas on the watch moved to the strap so there will be room for more components under the screen. There is a caveat there, though. Moving components like Wi-Fi, cellular, and Bluetooth to the strap might affect its uses, given the wear and tear as well as the customizability Apple offers. But this is just a patent, so perhaps it might not see the light of day.

Source: TechRadar

You might soon be able to sign onto iCloud using Face ID and Touch ID

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It looks like Apple is trying out new ways for users to sign onto iCloud.com. Apple users who have the beta versions of iOS 13, iPadOS 13, and macOS Catalina can use Face ID or Touch ID to sign in. Beta users who visit beta.icloud.com or beta-equipped devices will get asked via a popup if they want to sign using either one of those systems. They won’t need two-factor authentication after. This move makes sense as these methods are already being used to unlock devices and make purchases with Apple Pay. And if it’s secure enough for those, it should be secure enough for iCloud.

Source: The Verge

Apple issues statement regarding Error 53, it is a security measure

Some iPhones that have had their displays repaired or replaced by third-party technicians have become non-responsive because of an Error 53, which forces a boot loop on some repaired iPhones rendering them unusable. Here's Apple's clarification.

"We take customer security very seriously and Error 53 is the result of security checks designed to protect our customers. iOS checks that the Touch ID sensor in your iPhone or iPad correctly matches your device's other components. If iOS finds a mismatch, the check fails and Touch ID, including for Apple Pay use, is disabled. This security measure is necessary to protect your device and prevent a fraudulent Touch ID sensor from being used. If a customer encounters Error 53, we encourage them to contact Apple Support."

The problem with Error 53, from a user's point of view, is that it renders the iPhone completely useless (not just TouchID and ApplePay), seeing nothing but the Error 53 alert isn't just puzzling to most users, it doesn't help in any way.

Source: Engadget

Google Drive adds Touch ID support for iOS 8 devices

Google has update its cloud storage app Drive to add new handy features like Touch ID support and the ability to save videos from Drive to your device. Google also boosted app support for opening and saving files saved on their cloud. The Touch ID feature and improved file support are available for iOS 8 devices, while saving video from Google Cloud to your iOS device will work for iOS 7 devices and up.

Source: Google Drive | Via: The Next Web | Download: Apple App Store (Free)