Apple did consider including both Face ID and Touch ID on an iPhone
Apple could have included a facial recognition system similar to Face ID on an iPhone while retaining Touch ID, with regulatory filings revealing the company did consider having both forms of biometric security on the same device as part of a wider authentication system.
Face ID enrollment on the iPhone X
The introduction of the iPhone X in 2017 heralded the introduction of Face ID along with a larger edge-to-edge display, but at the cost of removing Touch ID and the physical home button from the iPhone. While the home button was ultimately removed due to the display and aesthetics, there was still the small possibility ahead of the iPhone X's launch that Apple could use both Face ID and Touch ID on the same iPhone.
A European patent application for "Implementation of Biometric Authentication," filed in January and published on Thursday, describes the use of biometric authentication systems for use on mobile devices. For the most part, the patent discusses how biometric authentication is cumbersome, due to needing to use the device and the identifying section of the body in the same way as the initial registration process for it to be effective.
"Deviation from the alignment of the biometric feature often results in a false negative result," states the filing. "As a result, a user is, optionally, required to unnecessarily perform multiple iterations of biometric authentication, or is, optionally, discouraged from using the biometric authentication altogether."
Multiple attempts at biometric authentication is considered to be a waste of both the user's time and the device's energy, with the patent suggesting more efficient techniques to performing such tests. While a failure would usually require users to reattempt via the same biometric method or to enter their security code, as is the case with current models, the patent application suggests otherwise.
Text buried in the filing mentions the use of an "alternative form of authentication than that associated with the biometric feature." In effect, this means if one biometric authentication check fails, such as Face ID, an alternative like Touch ID could still be used to log in, instead of using the passcode.
The passage suggests that Apple at least thought about including both Face ID and Touch ID mechanisms on the iPhone or iPad before deciding against the prospect.
For users, having multiple biometric systems available would be advantageous in multiple ways. While Face ID could offer authentication while the user's fingerprints are unusable due to gloves or dirt, Touch ID could feasibly be used in situations where Face ID isn't suitable, like in a pocket or if the user is carrying items that prevent them from raising their iPhone to their face.
Apple does file a considerable number of patents and applications on a daily basis, and while the concepts described do indicate areas of interest for the company, it isn't guaranteed the filing's publication will make its way to a consumer product. Considering the successful reception of Face ID as a Touch ID replacement, like the addition of Face ID to the 2018 iPad Pro models, it seems unlikely that Apple will put both authentication systems on a device anytime soon.
Using multiple forms of biometric security on a device isn't new, as other smartphones have already gone down that route with varying results. Samsung has experimented with 2D facial recognition, one that is far less secure than the 3D-based Face ID, but the Galaxy S9 from March also includes more stringent security, in the form of an iris scanner and rear-mounted fingerprint reader, for more sensitive functions like Samsung Pay.
Face ID enrollment on the iPhone X
The introduction of the iPhone X in 2017 heralded the introduction of Face ID along with a larger edge-to-edge display, but at the cost of removing Touch ID and the physical home button from the iPhone. While the home button was ultimately removed due to the display and aesthetics, there was still the small possibility ahead of the iPhone X's launch that Apple could use both Face ID and Touch ID on the same iPhone.
A European patent application for "Implementation of Biometric Authentication," filed in January and published on Thursday, describes the use of biometric authentication systems for use on mobile devices. For the most part, the patent discusses how biometric authentication is cumbersome, due to needing to use the device and the identifying section of the body in the same way as the initial registration process for it to be effective.
"Deviation from the alignment of the biometric feature often results in a false negative result," states the filing. "As a result, a user is, optionally, required to unnecessarily perform multiple iterations of biometric authentication, or is, optionally, discouraged from using the biometric authentication altogether."
Multiple attempts at biometric authentication is considered to be a waste of both the user's time and the device's energy, with the patent suggesting more efficient techniques to performing such tests. While a failure would usually require users to reattempt via the same biometric method or to enter their security code, as is the case with current models, the patent application suggests otherwise.
Text buried in the filing mentions the use of an "alternative form of authentication than that associated with the biometric feature." In effect, this means if one biometric authentication check fails, such as Face ID, an alternative like Touch ID could still be used to log in, instead of using the passcode.
The passage suggests that Apple at least thought about including both Face ID and Touch ID mechanisms on the iPhone or iPad before deciding against the prospect.
For users, having multiple biometric systems available would be advantageous in multiple ways. While Face ID could offer authentication while the user's fingerprints are unusable due to gloves or dirt, Touch ID could feasibly be used in situations where Face ID isn't suitable, like in a pocket or if the user is carrying items that prevent them from raising their iPhone to their face.
Apple does file a considerable number of patents and applications on a daily basis, and while the concepts described do indicate areas of interest for the company, it isn't guaranteed the filing's publication will make its way to a consumer product. Considering the successful reception of Face ID as a Touch ID replacement, like the addition of Face ID to the 2018 iPad Pro models, it seems unlikely that Apple will put both authentication systems on a device anytime soon.
Using multiple forms of biometric security on a device isn't new, as other smartphones have already gone down that route with varying results. Samsung has experimented with 2D facial recognition, one that is far less secure than the 3D-based Face ID, but the Galaxy S9 from March also includes more stringent security, in the form of an iris scanner and rear-mounted fingerprint reader, for more sensitive functions like Samsung Pay.
Comments
It's a shame that a FaceID 'light' wasn't released for the 8 Series.
Face ID and Touch ID would have been more secure, but the number of false negatives would have exploded... which would have been annoying.
Apple still needs 2FA, but a device with both Face ID and Touch ID would be a pricy and still poor solution.
http://www.loopinsight.com/2018/12/17/we-broke-into-a-bunch-of-android-phones-with-a-3d-printed-head/
https://www.forbes.com/sites/thomasbrewster/2018/12/13/we-broke-into-a-bunch-of-android-phones-with-a-3d-printed-head/#4a25276b1330
"I then held up my fake head to the devices to see if the device would unlock. For all four Android phones, the spoof face was able to open the phone, though with differing degrees of ease. The iPhone X was the only one to never be fooled."
A fingerprint or face may be compelled by law enforcement to unlock a phone or other device. A password cannot be legally compelled.
A person who doesn’t know or understand that distinction these days is simply ignorant of the law.
Because we already have two-factor security (2FA). That is, two of the three options: something you know, something you have, something you are. Adding two biometrics is no more legally protected than one biometric.
https://searchsecurity.techtarget.com/definition/two-factor-authentication
The fact that a Face or Touch ID secured phone might as well not be locked at all to law enforcement doesn't even impinge on most people's awareness, and even if it did, many wouldn't care.
This is about the idea of having multiple biometric options on the device to offer choice and flexibility.
Having an iPhone or not is the least of anything. I can speak because my phone has two biometric options.
How about “watch where you’re going”?