iPhone 5s Fingerprint Sensor Provides Lots of App Possibilities

The initial implementation allows Apple (and only Apple) to quickly identify and verify the user in the iphone 5S. It allow things like App purchases and Device Unlock capabilities without requiring a password. This type of fingerprint technology isn’t new. But the application of it has typically been mostly tied to things like opening doors and unlocking car. Or, you know, checking to see if you’re a criminal. In ways these hardware updates are narrowly focused, and somewhat costly to implement.

On a very base level, most of us struggle with basic internet security. Keeping track of logins, account numbers, and passwords can be a real hassle. You’re not supposed to use the same password for every login. But if you don’t, how can you be expected to remember hundreds or thousands of passwords? It leads one to wonder – why don’t computers come with fingerprint sensors already? Imagine if the next Apple Notebook had these hardware updates? Or if it integrated with a browser? From now on, your fingerprint can log you into any website you want. It can access your bank account. Your fingerprint can open your Facebook account. Your email account.

This isn’t without challenges, of course. It remains to be seen how the industry adapts to potential security vulnerabilities in fingerprint sensors. Having any unified system for security means if that one system fails, lots of information can be compromised. That which makes it simple also makes it dangerous.

In the meantime, iOS developers are chomping at the bit to find ways to use this. Apple has given a fairly firm ‘NO’ when asked if this capability in iOS will be opened up to third party App Developers. And we can understand some of the reasons for this – both in terms of privacy and security.