Apple’s new iPhone 5S fingerprint sensor
Apple has introduced its latest iPhone called the
iPhone 5s where s stands for sensor and is similar to iPhone5 in design and
dimensions with a faster processor, an improved camera and completely new
feature called Touch ID: a sensor that scans user’s finger and
verifies the identity to lock or unlock the phone.
About Touch ID
This
fingerprint sensor, developed by AuthenTec (a Florida based company
acquired by Apple last year) is a thin circle around the device’s
existing home button which scans and verifies user’s fingerprint and then locks
or unlocks the phone. The sensor and its security technology were the major
reason why Apple acquired AuthenTec for $356 million.
According to Apple, users will be able to scan up
to 5 individual fingers to authorize access on iPhone 5s. To set up the system users have to repeatedly press their finger against the sensor from different angles, allowing the system to accurately get a three-dimensional
scan of the surface of their finger.
You can also purchase music and apps on Apple’s iTunes with
"Your fingerprint is one of the best passwords
in the world," said Dan Riccio, Apple's senior vice president for hardware
design. "It's always with you, and no two are exactly alike." According
to Riccio, fingerprints are encrypted and are stored on the phone itself and
not in the cloud or Apple’s servers. The encrypted fingerprint data is stored
on iPhone 5s A7 system on a chip. The data is discarded if device is rebooted
or has been left unused for more than 48 hours, at this point users will have
to simply re-enter their passcode.
