Sounds like you feel strongly about their decision not to spending their investor's money on acquiring Nuance and Synaptic.
Perhaps you should let your money do the talking and get out while the stock continues make huge gains.
Clearly Synaptics (SYNA) has been a much better investment than AAPL over the last 6 month when it went from $95/share to $60/share. /s yeah.. Apple really blew it on this one. Good time to get out of APPL and throw it all into SYNA while it's cheap.
Does anyone really think placing finger print reader on a laptop is going to be the lone compelling value proposition to get people switch from Windows to Mac to justify spending investor's money on acquisition of Synaptics? Somehow I doubt it. A tie in from mobile phone to Laptop (like iOS/OSX Hand-off ) sure...but finger print scanner? Sorry, I don't see this to be the straw that broke the camel's back and thus no justification for acquisition of Synaptics.
There is a reason that a user interface designed for large form factor device doesn't work well for a small hand held device. Similarly, a finger print reader is not a strong enough need for large form factor device as it is for small one. The amount of times a day the user needs to type in their password and how easier it is to type in their password on laptop vs phone is quite different. Similarly, theft rate for laptops is quite different than phones. In short, what's required and good for one platform, doesn't always translate to being equally required and optimal for the other.
I don't think you get investing, by those first remarks, so I'll let that go.
But you don't get the rest either. When Apple first came out with Touch ID, it was called a gimmick too. Was it? Is it? No, it's not. As we all know by now, security is the biggest problem we have as computer users. Passwords are being called useless by security researchers. They are calling for more secure methods. Methods which just happen to be biometric scans.
It's foolishness to think that this won't take over at some point in time. Will synapsids be the one? Who knows? But it doesn't matter, because we can be sure that other companies are working on this problem as well, goaded on by Apple's use of it. But it would be a shame if Apple ignores the computer market, and stays with iOS alone in this.
Everyone should password lock their computers, and with real passwords. But then, who can remember more than a few. I remember perhaps a dozen, and must keep the other 200, or so, in a book. I hate doing that, but it's necessary. It would be much better if all those passwords could be replaced with Touch ID. Far easier, and far more secure. People would actually have a secure environment for once, as most people either don't use passwords, or use stupid ones.
Web sites could actually just ask one to touch the sensor for ID. That would eliminate someone using touch to open their device, but then having someone else actually using it, and getting into places they shouldn't. The App Store works that way, and now, the Amazon app does as well. I'd love that on my Mac Pro too.
What, exactly, does "Apple atores Apple Pay in the NFC chip" mean?
Do you have a link, or can you elaborate?
I have a link somewhere, and if it's still working, I'll provide it later.
Apple seems to have bifurcated their process here. The secure enclave on their ARM chip, which supposedly has also been modified, stores the fingerprint data, and we know how that works.
But with the newer Apple Pay, they are using a secure portion of that chip for you credit card, and other information. I don't know exactly how it works, but it's why I've got the NFC chip in my iPad Air 2. Without that chip, Apple Pay won't work.
Ok, so this is just a little thing about this, but sifting through the MANY articles about Apple Pay takes time.
Why not use Apple Pay/Continuity technology to unlock your MacBook? Being close to your MacBook with your iPhone 6/6+ or even your Apple Watch should automatically unlock your computer - or prompt you for your fingerprint on your phone to unlock the computer. This eliminates the problem with the secure enclave on the computer and with where to put the fingerprint sensor on the computer.
This leapfrogs the "fingerprint sensor" on a computer functionality, promotes Apple brand stickiness and is (in most situations) a MORE convenient, more secure solution than the PC alternative described in this article.
What, exactly, does "Apple atores Apple Pay in the NFC chip" mean?
Do you have a link, or can you elaborate?
I have a link somewhere, and if it's still working, I'll provide it later.
Apple seems to have bifurcated their process here. The secure enclave on their ARM chip, which supposedly has also been modified, stores the fingerprint data, and we know how that works.
But with the newer Apple Pay, they are using a secure portion of that chip for you credit card, and other information. I don't know exactly how it works, but it's why I've got the NFC chip in my iPad Air 2. Without that chip, Apple Pay won't work.
Ok, so this is just a little thing about this, but sifting through the MANY articles about Apple Pay takes time.
One: Apple is known for not including unnecessary hardware, like an NFC chip, in a device if it has no use or plan for it -- and NFC is a radio that requires an antenna -- or maybe piggy-back on another antenna like the WiFi antenna (don't know if that's practical, requires separate FCC approval ... )
Two: The Apple Watch is purported to support Apple Pay using a handshake (watch-remains-on-wrist and watch-has-prior-TouchID-approval-from-iPhone) ... I don't think an iPhone in your purse, pocket or pack could be used successfully to establish an NFC connection with an NFC POST terminal ... We don't know, if the Apple Watch has an NFC chip, NFC antenna and FCC approval to use them. But, the Apple Watch does have a WiFi chip (and presumably a WiFi Antenna)
Three: IDK, if the NFC POST terminals have WiFi (I suspect they do) -- but there is a WiFi protocol, WiFi Protected, that has been updated to allow establishment of a secure WiFi connection as a result of a NFC connection. http://www.nfcworld.com/2014/04/09/328653/wifi-alliance-adds-support-nfc/
Four: So, the possibility exists that NFC may not actually be required to make an Apple Pay connection with a POST terminal ... The connection could be made via WiFi -- and the payment token and approval exchanged via WiFi. In fact, there were some rumors where you could use Apple Pay for in-store check out -- without ever approaching a POST terminal
Call me confused!
Your statement "I don't know exactly how it works, but it's why I've got the NFC chip in my iPad Air 2. Without that chip, Apple Pay won't work." is interesting. It might not be the presence of the NFC chip in the iPad Air 2 that enables Apple Pay -- rather it may be the presence of TouchID.
FWIW, we have the following iDevices with TouchID"
iPhone 5S
iPhone 6
iPhone 6S
iPad Air 2
I've only experimented with ApplePay app development on the iPhone 6 Plus ... And, it works -- but it requires you setup at least one credit card on the device.
AFAIK, you can't setup a credit card on the iPhone 5S ... but the Apple Watch is purported to provide Apple Pay using the TouchID on the iPhone 5S ...
Now, I'm really confused!
Why the NFC chip in the iPad Air 2?
I wil spend some time over the holidays and see which devices I can get to run an Apple Pay app ...
So what? PC laptops have had finger print sensors for ages. It was a fad that died off (because it wasn't done well before). Now it's resurrected again to compete with Apple (now that they have Apple's product as a popular successful model upon which to base their new attempts, they can try again and call it "innovation").
One: Apple is known for not including unnecessary hardware, like an NFC chip, in a device if it has no use or plan for it -- and NFC is a radio that requires an antenna -- or maybe piggy-back on another antenna like the WiFi antenna (don't know if that's practical, requires separate FCC approval ... )
Two: The Apple Watch is purported to support Apple Pay using a handshake (watch-remains-on-wrist and watch-has-prior-TouchID-approval-from-iPhone) ... I don't think an iPhone in your purse, pocket or pack could be used successfully to establish an NFC connection with an NFC POST terminal ... We don't know, if the Apple Watch has an NFC chip, NFC antenna and FCC approval to use them. But, the Apple Watch does have a WiFi chip (and presumably a WiFi Antenna)
Three: IDK, if the NFC POST terminals have WiFi (I suspect they do) -- but there is a WiFi protocol, WiFi Protected, that has been updated to allow establishment of a secure WiFi connection as a result of a NFC connection. http://www.nfcworld.com/2014/04/09/328653/wifi-alliance-adds-support-nfc/
Four: So, the possibility exists that NFC may not actually be required to make an Apple Pay connection with a POST terminal ... The connection could be made via WiFi -- and the payment token and approval exchanged via WiFi. In fact, there were some rumors where you could use Apple Pay for in-store check out -- without ever approaching a POST terminal
Call me confused!
Your statement "I don't know exactly how it works, but it's why I've got the NFC chip in my iPad Air 2. Without that chip, Apple Pay won't work." is interesting. It might not be the presence of the NFC chip in the iPad Air 2 that enables Apple Pay -- rather it may be the presence of TouchID.
FWIW, we have the following iDevices with TouchID"
iPhone 5S
iPhone 6
iPhone 6S
iPad Air 2
I've only experimented with ApplePay app development on the iPhone 6 Plus ... And, it works -- but it requires you setup at least one credit card on the device.
AFAIK, you can't setup a credit card on the iPhone 5S ... but the Apple Watch is purported to provide Apple Pay using the TouchID on the iPhone 5S ...
Now, I'm really confused!
Why the NFC chip in the iPad Air 2?
I wil spend some time over the holidays and see which devices I can get to run an Apple Pay app ...
I'm not sure what's to be confused about. It seems clear that ?Pay data is stored in the secure location on the NFC chip.
?Watch has NFC and when you set it up via and iPhone 5, 5C or newer iPhone it will then be able to use ?Pay independent of the iPhone. You will not require an iPhone to be present for ?Pay on ?Watch, nor will Touch ID be required, as noted by the 5 and 5C not having Touch ID.
Ok the problem with a fingerprint "enclave" in the computer... It needs to be hidden. Since the A series iphone chips have the fingerprint records inside the main chip... There is no way you are going to recover that info. in a macbook, intel makes the main chip. The architecture of the fingerprint enclave itself needs to be impossible to break into.
On the other hand, People on this site are acting like the average thief of a laptop is an uber hacker that is going to know how to "break in" to your average fingerprint protected pc.
If someone wanted your crap on your laptop that bad, they could get it at gunpoint.
In either case, they make may more money on phishing fraud than by actually finding some random dude's laptop.
For classified top secret crap, you probably should have a bomb attached to your laptop a la mission impossible style.
One: Apple is known for not including unnecessary hardware, like an NFC chip, in a device if it has no use or plan for it -- and NFC is a radio that requires an antenna -- or maybe piggy-back on another antenna like the WiFi antenna (don't know if that's practical, requires separate FCC approval ... )
Two: The Apple Watch is purported to support Apple Pay using a handshake (watch-remains-on-wrist and watch-has-prior-TouchID-approval-from-iPhone) ... I don't think an iPhone in your purse, pocket or pack could be used successfully to establish an NFC connection with an NFC POST terminal ... We don't know, if the Apple Watch has an NFC chip, NFC antenna and FCC approval to use them. But, the Apple Watch does have a WiFi chip (and presumably a WiFi Antenna)
Three: IDK, if the NFC POST terminals have WiFi (I suspect they do) -- but there is a WiFi protocol, WiFi Protected, that has been updated to allow establishment of a secure WiFi connection as a result of a NFC connection. http://www.nfcworld.com/2014/04/09/328653/wifi-alliance-adds-support-nfc/
Four: So, the possibility exists that NFC may not actually be required to make an Apple Pay connection with a POST terminal ... The connection could be made via WiFi -- and the payment token and approval exchanged via WiFi. In fact, there were some rumors where you could use Apple Pay for in-store check out -- without ever approaching a POST terminal
Call me confused!
Your statement "I don't know exactly how it works, but it's why I've got the NFC chip in my iPad Air 2. Without that chip, Apple Pay won't work." is interesting. It might not be the presence of the NFC chip in the iPad Air 2 that enables Apple Pay -- rather it may be the presence of TouchID.
FWIW, we have the following iDevices with TouchID"
iPhone 5S
iPhone 6
iPhone 6S
iPad Air 2
I've only experimented with ApplePay app development on the iPhone 6 Plus ... And, it works -- but it requires you setup at least one credit card on the device.
AFAIK, you can't setup a credit card on the iPhone 5S ... but the Apple Watch is purported to provide Apple Pay using the TouchID on the iPhone 5S ...
Now, I'm really confused!
Why the NFC chip in the iPad Air 2?
I wil spend some time over the holidays and see which devices I can get to run an Apple Pay app ...
I'm not sure what's to be confused about. It seems clear that ?Pay data is stored in the secure location on the NFC chip.
?Watch has NFC and when you set it up via and iPhone 5, 5C or newer iPhone it will then be able to use ?Pay independent of the iPhone. You will not require an iPhone to be present for ?Pay on ?Watch, nor will Touch ID be required, as noted by the 5 and 5C not having Touch ID.
They did not say that the Apple Watch has NFC -- just WiFi -- and, later, that WiFi is off-limits to the developers.
The current developer support for Apple Watch does not expose the APIs for Apple Pay ,,, maybe later!
AFAICT, Apple Pay on Apple Watch will be supplied by Apple Apps only -- at least in the first iteration.
In contrast, developers have access to Apple Pay APIs for iPhone 6 and 6 Plus ...
They clearly stated and demoed a contactless reader. Why would you think that Apple's push for NFC with ?Pay would also require brand new check out terminals that support WiFi or BT just for ?Watch?
They did not say that the Apple Watch has NFC -- just WiFi -- and, later, that WiFi is off-limits to the developers.
The current developer support for Apple Watch does not expose the APIs for Apple Pay ,,, maybe later!
AFAICT, Apple Pay on Apple Watch will be supplied by Apple Apps only -- at least in the first iteration.
In contrast, developers have access to Apple Pay APIs for iPhone 6 and 6 Plus ...
They clearly stated and demoed a contactless reader. Why would you think that Apple's push for NFC with ?Pay would also require brand new check out terminals that support WiFi or BT just for ?Watch?
I did some surfing, and found that modern NFC terminals, likely, include WiFi for integration with the merchant and processor systems.
What I saw demoed was an iPhone 6 with NFC and TouchID waved very close to, or tapped on, the NFC POST terminal to make an Apple Pay payment.
I have not seen any demo of an Apple Watch making an Apple Pay payment.
As far as I can determine:
Apple has not announced that the Apple Watch contains a NFC chip, NFC Antenna nor TouchID sensor.
Apple has announced that the Apple Watch uses BLE to communicate with a required iPhone (in your hand, purse, pocket or pack).
Apple has announced that the Apple Watch has WiFi but this is not available to developers.
Apple has announced that the Apple Watch will provide Apple Pay when used with an iPhone 5S or later.
Part of the security advantage of NFC is that the connection requires that the devices be within 10 cm (~4 inches) of each other. To me, that means that:
The Apple Watch has a NFC chip and antenna and relies on a iPhone 5S or later for TouchID authorization.
The Apple Watch uses other than NFC to make the connection with the POST terminal
The iPhone 5S or later needs to be waved within 10 cm of the POST terminal -- making the Apple Watch superfluous.
I asked for a heads up on how to add Apple Pay to an Apple Watch app I have running (in the simulator), I was told that the Apple Watch does not support Apple Pay.
So, you tell me how Apple Watch connects to a POST terminal to make an Apple Pay transaction.
Apple has not announced that the Apple Watch contains a NFC chip, NFC Antenna nor TouchID sensor.
Of course it doesn't have Touch ID. I'm not sure why you'd even bring that up except for some erroneous assumption that Touch ID is required for NFC payments.
Part of the security advantage of NFC is that the connection requires that the devices be within 10 cm (~4 inches) of each other. To me, that means that:
The Apple Watch has a NFC chip and antenna and relies on a iPhone 5S or later for TouchID authorization.
The Apple Watch uses other than NFC to make the connection with the POST terminal
The iPhone 5S or later needs to be waved within 10 cm of the POST terminal -- making the Apple Watch superfluous.
Again, ?Pay can be set up on ?Watch via an iPhone 5 and 5C which don't have Touch ID.
I was told that the Apple Watch does not support Apple Pay.
And Apple has clearly detailed how it will support ?Pay. Why wouldn't you believe Apple's word?
Apple has not announced that the Apple Watch contains a NFC chip, NFC Antenna nor TouchID sensor.
Of course it doesn't have Touch ID. I'm not sure why you'd even bring that up except for some erroneous assumption that Touch ID is required for NFC payments.
Part of the security advantage of NFC is that the connection requires that the devices be within 10 cm (~4 inches) of each other. To me, that means that:
The Apple Watch has a NFC chip and antenna and relies on a iPhone 5S or later for TouchID authorization.
The Apple Watch uses other than NFC to make the connection with the POST terminal
The iPhone 5S or later needs to be waved within 10 cm of the POST terminal -- making the Apple Watch superfluous.
Again, ?Pay can be set up on ?Watch via an iPhone 5 and 5C which don't have Touch ID.
I was told that the Apple Watch does not support Apple Pay.
And Apple has clearly detailed how it will support ?Pay. Why wouldn't you believe Apple's word?
Headline in 2 years: "Apple wins suit over patent infringement, awarded profits from all PC sales"
The little swipe strip on work laptops works very well for the purpose. It's cheap, time tested, and reliable. Touch ID has to be integrated into the home button for the tech to even make sense. There is no "home button" on a laptop, so the tech just becomes a gimmick.
What do you think about applying it to the power button? One press boots and logs you in!
What do you think about applying it to the power button? One press boots and logs you in!
Just like with iOS-based devices, Touch ID is convenience. We know this because you still need to input your passcode when you turn it on, after too many missed Touch ID attempts, or after a certain duration has passed. What it could be useful for is when you come back to your locked machine.
That said, I'd much rather ?Watch be used to log you in and out as you move near or away from your devices.
Comments
Intel has had secure enclaves for ten years. It's not new.
Because it wasn't accurate enough, and was unreliable.
This is a feature that must work all the time, and be very accurate, and highly secure. Otherwise it's a gimmick, and worthless.
I don't think you get investing, by those first remarks, so I'll let that go.
But you don't get the rest either. When Apple first came out with Touch ID, it was called a gimmick too. Was it? Is it? No, it's not. As we all know by now, security is the biggest problem we have as computer users. Passwords are being called useless by security researchers. They are calling for more secure methods. Methods which just happen to be biometric scans.
It's foolishness to think that this won't take over at some point in time. Will synapsids be the one? Who knows? But it doesn't matter, because we can be sure that other companies are working on this problem as well, goaded on by Apple's use of it. But it would be a shame if Apple ignores the computer market, and stays with iOS alone in this.
Everyone should password lock their computers, and with real passwords. But then, who can remember more than a few. I remember perhaps a dozen, and must keep the other 200, or so, in a book. I hate doing that, but it's necessary. It would be much better if all those passwords could be replaced with Touch ID. Far easier, and far more secure. People would actually have a secure environment for once, as most people either don't use passwords, or use stupid ones.
Web sites could actually just ask one to touch the sensor for ID. That would eliminate someone using touch to open their device, but then having someone else actually using it, and getting into places they shouldn't. The App Store works that way, and now, the Amazon app does as well. I'd love that on my Mac Pro too.
I have a link somewhere, and if it's still working, I'll provide it later.
Apple seems to have bifurcated their process here. The secure enclave on their ARM chip, which supposedly has also been modified, stores the fingerprint data, and we know how that works.
But with the newer Apple Pay, they are using a secure portion of that chip for you credit card, and other information. I don't know exactly how it works, but it's why I've got the NFC chip in my iPad Air 2. Without that chip, Apple Pay won't work.
Ok, so this is just a little thing about this, but sifting through the MANY articles about Apple Pay takes time.
http://m.iclarified.com/entry/index.php?enid=44882
This leapfrogs the "fingerprint sensor" on a computer functionality, promotes Apple brand stickiness and is (in most situations) a MORE convenient, more secure solution than the PC alternative described in this article.
Thanks for the link and explanation ...
The reason I am curious about this is:
One: Apple is known for not including unnecessary hardware, like an NFC chip, in a device if it has no use or plan for it -- and NFC is a radio that requires an antenna -- or maybe piggy-back on another antenna like the WiFi antenna (don't know if that's practical, requires separate FCC approval ... )
Two: The Apple Watch is purported to support Apple Pay using a handshake (watch-remains-on-wrist and watch-has-prior-TouchID-approval-from-iPhone) ... I don't think an iPhone in your purse, pocket or pack could be used successfully to establish an NFC connection with an NFC POST terminal ... We don't know, if the Apple Watch has an NFC chip, NFC antenna and FCC approval to use them. But, the Apple Watch does have a WiFi chip (and presumably a WiFi Antenna)
Three: IDK, if the NFC POST terminals have WiFi (I suspect they do) -- but there is a WiFi protocol, WiFi Protected, that has been updated to allow establishment of a secure WiFi connection as a result of a NFC connection. http://www.nfcworld.com/2014/04/09/328653/wifi-alliance-adds-support-nfc/
Four: So, the possibility exists that NFC may not actually be required to make an Apple Pay connection with a POST terminal ... The connection could be made via WiFi -- and the payment token and approval exchanged via WiFi. In fact, there were some rumors where you could use Apple Pay for in-store check out -- without ever approaching a POST terminal
Call me confused!
Your statement "I don't know exactly how it works, but it's why I've got the NFC chip in my iPad Air 2. Without that chip, Apple Pay won't work." is interesting. It might not be the presence of the NFC chip in the iPad Air 2 that enables Apple Pay -- rather it may be the presence of TouchID.
FWIW, we have the following iDevices with TouchID"
I've only experimented with ApplePay app development on the iPhone 6 Plus ... And, it works -- but it requires you setup at least one credit card on the device.
AFAIK, you can't setup a credit card on the iPhone 5S ... but the Apple Watch is purported to provide Apple Pay using the TouchID on the iPhone 5S ...
Now, I'm really confused!
Why the NFC chip in the iPad Air 2?
I wil spend some time over the holidays and see which devices I can get to run an Apple Pay app ...
I'm not sure what's to be confused about. It seems clear that ?Pay data is stored in the secure location on the NFC chip.
?Watch has NFC and when you set it up via and iPhone 5, 5C or newer iPhone it will then be able to use ?Pay independent of the iPhone. You will not require an iPhone to be present for ?Pay on ?Watch, nor will Touch ID be required, as noted by the 5 and 5C not having Touch ID.
On the other hand, People on this site are acting like the average thief of a laptop is an uber hacker that is going to know how to "break in" to your average fingerprint protected pc.
If someone wanted your crap on your laptop that bad, they could get it at gunpoint.
In either case, they make may more money on phishing fraud than by actually finding some random dude's laptop.
For classified top secret crap, you probably should have a bomb attached to your laptop a la mission impossible style.
Hey @Sol..
With all due respect ...
There is no indication that I can find that:
The current posture for developers -- is that Apple Watch does not support Apple Pay.
Apple clearly talked about ?Watch supporting ?Pay.
Yes they did -- on the announcement keynote!
But, they did not say how or when.
They did not say that the Apple Watch has NFC -- just WiFi -- and, later, that WiFi is off-limits to the developers.
The current developer support for Apple Watch does not expose the APIs for Apple Pay ,,, maybe later!
AFAICT, Apple Pay on Apple Watch will be supplied by Apple Apps only -- at least in the first iteration.
In contrast, developers have access to Apple Pay APIs for iPhone 6 and 6 Plus ...
They clearly stated and demoed a contactless reader. Why would you think that Apple's push for NFC with ?Pay would also require brand new check out terminals that support WiFi or BT just for ?Watch?
I did some surfing, and found that modern NFC terminals, likely, include WiFi for integration with the merchant and processor systems.
What I saw demoed was an iPhone 6 with NFC and TouchID waved very close to, or tapped on, the NFC POST terminal to make an Apple Pay payment.
I have not seen any demo of an Apple Watch making an Apple Pay payment.
As far as I can determine:
Part of the security advantage of NFC is that the connection requires that the devices be within 10 cm (~4 inches) of each other. To me, that means that:
I asked for a heads up on how to add Apple Pay to an Apple Watch app I have running (in the simulator), I was told that the Apple Watch does not support Apple Pay.
So, you tell me how Apple Watch connects to a POST terminal to make an Apple Pay transaction.
Of course it doesn't have Touch ID. I'm not sure why you'd even bring that up except for some erroneous assumption that Touch ID is required for NFC payments.
Again, ?Pay can be set up on ?Watch via an iPhone 5 and 5C which don't have Touch ID.
And Apple has clearly detailed how it will support ?Pay. Why wouldn't you believe Apple's word?
Please post links,
What do you think about applying it to the power button? One press boots and logs you in!
Just like with iOS-based devices, Touch ID is convenience. We know this because you still need to input your passcode when you turn it on, after too many missed Touch ID attempts, or after a certain duration has passed. What it could be useful for is when you come back to your locked machine.
That said, I'd much rather ?Watch be used to log you in and out as you move near or away from your devices.