Apple Unveils The iPhone 5S • Hacker News Board

Re: Apple Unveils The iPhone 5S

#221

Post by kyro » Tue, Sep 10, 2013, 7:34 PM UTC

pilif wrote: post #73

Now that we have to consider the iPhones to be backdoored by the NSA, I wonder whether I really want to give them my fingerprint together with the rest of my data. I'm also not so sure whether a fingerprint can't still be easily faked (like it was possible on that Mythbusters episode for example). Personally, I think I'd rather stay with my passcode. Did you btw know that you can turn off "simple passcode" and then u…

Yes, absolutely. While the idea of fingerprint-purchasing might have interesting applications, what you mention should also be a serious concern.

The saddest part to me is that people are attempting to put an end to this worry by saying "well, Apple said they don't give apps access to it." And no other tech company has ever told us about any of their involvement and cooperation with the NSA in the collection of private user data.

People shouldn't wooed by this new feature and be blinded to its security implications. Start taking this stuff seriously, instead of what these companies are telling you.

Re: Apple Unveils The iPhone 5S

#222

Post by crusso » Tue, Sep 10, 2013, 7:34 PM UTC

danabramov wrote: post #151

Pxtl wrote: post #137

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes, obviously the PC/Laptop side of the business has always had this kind of differentiation (also the pure-Mp3 player business), but the iOS stuff has avoided this since the inception of the iPhone. The iPad, iPod, and iPhone were just "size only". Now that Jobs is gone and competition has heated up, we're seeing Apple back away from that with the iPad mini and the 5s. It feels like a big shift for Apple.

>Now that Jobs is gone Seriously, what does this have to do with the point you're making?

Jobs was the entire reason that their product offering was so focused. Look back at the mess that was Apple's product offering smorgasbord before Jobs returned and took his hatchet to it.

Without visionary leadership, most big companies are unable to resist the temptation to take the kitchen sink attitude toward product development.

The coherence of Apple's product strategy will most likely decrease as we move further past the age of Jobs... unless they find a new similarly-capable leader.

Re: Apple Unveils The iPhone 5S

#223

Post by r00fus » Tue, Sep 10, 2013, 7:34 PM UTC

marknow wrote: post #127

rodedwards wrote: post #53

Better photos, TouchID, snappier performance -- a traditional incremental Apple upgrade befitting the "S" moniker. I've long been wondering when/if Apple would take on NFC and things like payments more aggressively. I get the feeling that they're going to skip NFC entirely, and that TouchID is going to be a large part of processing transactions without the need for any physical device interaction (swipe/tap/bump). Ri…

How odd, I feel the opposite, re: vision... Google is leading the way with progressive developments in many varied fields. Expecting more today from Tim Cook, the Apple announcement left me flat. Understand, that while I'm a long time Apple user, my Android phone(s) have offered features to which Apple is still playing catch-up. Apple is the reactionary these days; they may have introduced the iPhone as a ground-brea…

Here's the rub.

Google's vision is definitely out there, but it's intangible. Glass is a $1500 product that is geared towards geeks. Folks who don't even know how to properly use a BT headset would be overwhelmed by Glass.

I guess it's about target market. Apple makes it available, like, everywhere, and accessible to folks like my parents. Google puts it way out there (cool), but it requires a nerd to use or grok.

Re: Apple Unveils The iPhone 5S

#224

Post by wmf » Tue, Sep 10, 2013, 7:35 PM UTC

jl6 wrote: post #191

wmf wrote: post #138

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's not clear that this is thermally possible.

Sure it is, just use an external CPU in the docking station.

So now your "docking station" is actually a separate computer; what part of the phone would it use? The storage?

Re: Apple Unveils The iPhone 5S

#225

Post by tedunangst » Tue, Sep 10, 2013, 7:35 PM UTC

meerita wrote: post #129

I visualize this: husband is sleeping deeply, wife picks up the phone and taps the home button while he's sleeping and unlocks the phone. Release the kraken.

"Honey my battery is dead. Can I borrow your phone?"

Re: Apple Unveils The iPhone 5S

#226

Post by afterburner » Tue, Sep 10, 2013, 7:36 PM UTC

sliverstorm wrote: post #150

pilif wrote: post #109

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The problem is that I can't change my fingerprint. If it gets out by some third-party abusing the secret backdoor (or just abusing whatever other place you have your fingerprint stored), then they can potentially forge your fingerprint when committing a crime or when otherwise attempting to access resources you have access to. When a third-party loses your password, you change it and life goes on (you are not reusing…

They probably already have your fingerprint. I believe you usually have to give it to the DMV to get your license.

First I've heard of it, but I'm not American. Is this really true?

Re: Apple Unveils The iPhone 5S

#227

Post by mncolinlee » Tue, Sep 10, 2013, 7:36 PM UTC

Still no NFC.

It's an underrated technology for pairing devices. Real investments and more hardware would follow if Apple jumped in the pool with everyone else.

Re: Apple Unveils The iPhone 5S

#228

Post by graeme » Tue, Sep 10, 2013, 7:36 PM UTC

dev_jim wrote: post #166

pilif wrote: post #73

Now that we have to consider the iPhones to be backdoored by the NSA, I wonder whether I really want to give them my fingerprint together with the rest of my data. I'm also not so sure whether a fingerprint can't still be easily faked (like it was possible on that Mythbusters episode for example). Personally, I think I'd rather stay with my passcode. Did you btw know that you can turn off "simple passcode" and then u…

Urgh. When do we get to the point where I can read HN without a snarky NSA comment being voted to the top?

What was snarky about it? I hadn't properly considered that my fingerprint would likely end up with spy agencies if I used the new fingerprint service.

Re: Apple Unveils The iPhone 5S

#229

Post by bratsche » Tue, Sep 10, 2013, 7:36 PM UTC

swamp40 wrote: post #60

I was really hoping for NFC support - sigh. I do love the fingerprint sensor and the intelligent auto-focusing features, though. Blurry smartphone pictures are so ubiquitous these days.

Why does everyone keep going on about NFC? It's been on Android for years and it's never been used in any meaningful way. I don't see Apple introducing some new hardware component just for the sake of adding it. They'll introduce something when they have a really solid use for it, which is something that Google seems to have never really had with NFC.

Re: Apple Unveils The iPhone 5S

#230

Post by swamp40 » Tue, Sep 10, 2013, 7:38 PM UTC

swamp40 wrote: post #116

bedhead wrote: post #45

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Smartphone hardware is in the 9th inning. These devices have mostly hit the natural limits of what's achievable for now. Bad for Apple since this effectively levels the playing field.

I disagree completely. Perhaps the 9th inning of a preseason game? Flexible displays are coming soon. The paths for easy integration with multiple low power wearable peripherals have just been forged, and the area is still in its infancy. Mobile payments have not fully arrived yet. The phones are all still in rectangular boxes - something that will look ridiculous in 20 years. I think there is a lot yet to come hardw…

...and Haptics!

Clickable buttons, raised hyperlinks, textures - all coming soon!