Inside Apple's iPhone 5s: 's' is for 'sensors'

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Comments

  • Reply 21 of 130
    S is for "stand in line, suckers. No preorder for you."
  • Reply 22 of 130
    I think the development of the M7 chip is super important and very telling about how far along apple is with iwatch development.
  • Reply 23 of 130
    Originally Posted by sully54 View Post

    I think the development of the M7 chip is super important and very telling about how far along apple is with iwatch development.

     

    Kim Kommando said the iWatch is coming out on Tuesday. So obviously we know how far along it is.

     

    She needs fired, along with all the other analysts.

  • Reply 24 of 130
    apple ][ wrote: »
    Am i misunderstanding something here?

    Somebody can steal an iPhone and just wait 48 hours, and then the Touch ID is useless because it's been erased?

    True, but they'll need a password to unlock it:
    Instead, encrypted fingerprint data is stored on the iPhone 5s A7 system-on-a-chip. That data is also discarded if a device is rebooted or has been left unused for more than 48 hours, at which point users will have to simply reenter their passcode.
  • Reply 25 of 130
    S is for....

    [VIDEO]
  • Reply 26 of 130
    tzbtzb Posts: 19member

    I have been scratching my head trying to figure out why M7 exists and why this functionality wasn't put into A7.  There is significant cost involved in adding another component to a device, even if that component is relatively cheap.

     

    Apple claims it is all about energy efficiency, but I don't really buy that.  A7 could have easily had a small separately powered island inside it to implement a co-processor.

     

    So what is really going on?  I can think of a few possibilities...

     

    (a) A7 did integrate a motion co-processor but it had a serious bug that Apple could not correct without a major re-spin.  For schedule and/or cost reasons, they opted to break out that functionality in another chip.

     

    (b) Apple is experimenting with their own motion sensor designs, and some of those are built into M7, even if they are not yet used in this product generation.  Sensors require a different fabrication technology than A7 is built on, hence M7 is a separate device.

     

    (c) M7 is more than just a motion co-processor.  It has some kind of security functionality similar to a TPM.  Combined with the new security features in the 64-bit ARM architecture, this could make jailbreaking much more difficult.  It could also aid in building a stronger DRM scheme for media and applications purchased from Apple.

  • Reply 27 of 130
    eriamjheriamjh Posts: 1,526member
    Quote:

    I have been scratching my head trying to figure out why M7 exists and why this functionality wasn't put into A7.  There is significant cost involved in adding another component to a device, even if that component is relatively cheap.

     

    Apple claims it is all about energy efficiency, but I don't really buy that.  A7 could have easily had a small separately powered island inside it to implement a co-processor.

     

    So what is really going on?  I can think of a few possibilities...

     

    (a) A7 did integrate a motion co-processor but it had a serious bug that Apple could not correct without a major re-spin.  For schedule and/or cost reasons, they opted to break out that functionality in another chip.

     

    (b) Apple is experimenting with their own motion sensor designs, and some of those are built into M7, even if they are not yet used in this product generation.  Sensors require a different fabrication technology than A7 is built on, hence M7 is a separate device.

     

    (c) M7 is more than just a motion co-processor.  It has some kind of security functionality similar to a TPM.  Combined with the new security features in the 64-bit ARM architecture, this could make jailbreaking much more difficult.  It could also aid in building a stronger DRM scheme for media and applications purchased from Apple.


    The M7 is separate because iPads likely won't use it.   

     

    I see it as the key to the iWatch which is now rumored to be launched next fall.  The Watch will likely have the M7 in it and NOT an A5/6/7 chip.  This might be the key to big battery life in a watch.

     

    My guess is while Apple was been researching the iWatch and it's functionality and the M7 motion processor came out of that development.  The watch won't likely require a phone, but might be far more powerful if one has an iPhone.

  • Reply 28 of 130
    tzb wrote: »
    I can think of a few possibilities...

    (c) M7 is more than just a motion co-processor.  It has some kind of security functionality similar to a TPM.  Combined with the new security features in the 64-bit ARM architecture, this could make jailbreaking much more difficult.  It could also aid in building a stronger DRM scheme for media and applications purchased from Apple.

    The FP scan is being authenticated by the A7, no? That's what I got from all the articles.

    Oh, there's always (d) Dee Unknown
  • Reply 29 of 130
    tzb wrote: »
    I have been scratching my head trying to figure out why M7 exists and why this functionality wasn't put into A7.  There is significant cost involved in adding another component to a device, even if that component is relatively cheap.

    Flexibility to be modular. Not all A7 devices will need the M7.
    For example, an A7 based TV/Game Console would not need it.
  • Reply 30 of 130
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by wigby View Post

     

    Why is this important? Then Apple could introduce larger screen iPhones (think 4.7" or possibly larger) that still allow users to continue using iOS all with their dominant thumb. 


     

    I have a feeling that Apple will never release a larger iPhone because the current size is perfect for a phone. The whole phablet business merely  wastes resources on unnecessary line up complications. Which is you recall is the first thing that SJ did when upon resuming the reins of Apple, namely he cut out all the unnecessary crap in between and bits and pieces products. Which is why Samsung cannot compete and Apple will accelerate into the distance. 

  • Reply 31 of 130
    Didn't iSight used to be the name of the front facing camera?
  • Reply 32 of 130
    Originally Posted by landmanlife View Post

    Didn't iSight used to be the name of the front facing camera?

     

    Never; always FaceTime. iSight was the camera on Macs, now called FaceTime. Not sure why they call the back camera on iDevices iSight now. I still like iSight better. AND WHEN ARE THEY GOING TO INTEGRATE FACETIME AND MESSAGES IN OS X?! BECAUSE THEY SURE AS HECK DIDN'T DO IT IN MAVERICKS.

  • Reply 33 of 130

    Had to put my glasses on.... I thought it said, "s" is for seniors.

  • Reply 34 of 130
    Not sure where I read it - could've been in video demo:

    Before setting up the fingerprint you must enter a 4 digit pin code.

    This obviously sets up security for if can't use print for whatever reason - wet/dirty/chopped off finger, or timed out
  • Reply 35 of 130
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Tallest Skil View Post

     

     

    Whoa, whoa, whoa… what? Where's that written in an official Apple source?

     

    ALL security measures are useless in the face of a DFU; Apple should work on that instead of arbitrarily deleting fingerprint information.

     

     

    No.


     

    Here is the source on the WSJ blog, doesn't say deletion:

    http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2013/09/11/apple-new-iphone-not-storing-fingerprints-doesnt-like-sweat/

     

    This part:

    An Apple spokesman pointed to other security features the company has added to the phone. Apple customers who wish the use Touch ID also have to create a passcode as a backup. Only that passcode (not a finger) can unlock the phone if the phone is rebooted or hasn’t been unlocked for 48 hours. This feature is meant to block hackers from stalling for time as they try to find a way to circumvent the fingerprint scanner.


  • Reply 36 of 130
    I was about to blast off an angry post because of the title. I thought it said, S is for seniors. WHAT THE HELL MAKES ANYONE THINK THIS PHONE IS FOR SENIOR CITIZENS? Then I read the title again. Oh sensors. ha ha....oops.
  • Reply 37 of 130
    I hope the fingerprint sensors can (one day soon) let my kids get in to their apps, but not make calls, delete my apps or my email.

    Integration with One Password etc would be useful top.
  • Reply 38 of 130
    "Your finger print data will be deleted after 48 hours or turned off", what is the point of the finger print sensor then,"to save time unlocking" then why would this be a new feature worked so hard on? The goal is when it says to enter your pas ode after 48 hours or turned off, this added security is mostly useless.
  • Reply 39 of 130
    Flexibility to be modular. Not all A7 devices will need the M7.
    For example, an A7 based TV/Game Console would not need it.

    But an iPhone acting as controller might :)
  • Reply 40 of 130
    Meanwhile , Samsung makes a fugly gigantic watch the size of a brick while Apple has 64 bit os and processor, m7 processor ! Samsung is sad...
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