Users of Apple ’s recent-model iPhones have been experiencing a serious first-world problem since the coronavirus pandemic made it necessary to wear face-masks in shops and the public spaces.
The tech giant has finally come up with a solution to the irritating little lockdown problem having to type your passcode in – or whip off your mask – every time you want to read a text or make a payment.
But there’s an expensive catch.
This is Apple we're talking about, so the solution isn't cheap. The new feature, included in iOS 14.5, enables users to unlock their phone by using their Apple Watch. Their £379 Apple Watch.
iOS 14 was released in September 2020, and the new .5 update has already been rolled out to developers and should be available to the general public in the next few weeks.
As part of the update, the watch will also unlock Apple Pay on the phone, so there will be no more awkward situations at the till if you’re trying to use credit card information stored in your phone.
App Store, iTunes Store and Safari purchases that use autofill for your credit card info will still require you to enter your passcode.
The watch will give owners a little tap on the wrist to tell them what’s happening, to avoid accidental or unauthorised unlockings.
Older model iPhones, that use Apple’s fingerprint-based Touch ID system, will be unaffected by the changes.
There are a few additional enhancements coming in iOS 14.5 too, including improvements for gamers, more detailed control over which apps are allowed to track you and store your information, and a turbo-charge for the Weather app that will give minute-by-minute forecast for your location.
Users of non-Apple devices that use facial recognition will have to be a bit more creative to get around the mask problem.
Researchers at Tencent Security's Xianwu Lab made a video showing how certain types of mask could be used to cover just half of the user’s mouth and nose area – “training” the device to recognise them with a mask on.
They do admit, though, that it’s not a foolproof solution and only works with the thinner, disposable types of mask.
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