Apple That

If you are an avid Apple user, then you probably know that the iPhone 5s features a new way to secure your phone. Instead of having to type in a passcode, the iPhone now has a touch ID sensor, which allows you to scan your fingerprint, and use that as a secure way to access your phone. Like you would expect, many other phone companies are following suit and creating their own versions of apples touch ID sensor, but some researchers are taking a different approach to this idea.

Cheng Bo and his colleagues, Lan Zhang and Xiang-Yang Li at the Illinois Institute of Technology have been working on their own version of the touch sensor ID that they call “SilentSense.” In it’s initial testing this system identified it’s owner correctly with a staggering 99% accuracy when used on an andriod phone. Instead of storing the owners fingerprint data, the SilentSense stores specific things like the size of the owners fingertip, how much pressure they put on the phone, and even the owners cellphone habits including the way they walk while holding their phone.

Although the iPhone 5s’s fingerprint scanner is pretty impressive, the ideas that it is spawning are even more unique and practical. Bo’s SilentSensor is truly a smart machine, it’s ability to learn who it’s owner is with such incredible accuracy will definitely give iphone’s touch ID sensor a run for it’s money. I am very excited to see what other advancements are coming up with this innovative technology.

If that title reminds you of the “Soup Nazi” from Seinfled, well it should. And that’s pretty much what’s going on here. As of last week Apple has closed the path to downgrade from iOS7 to it’s earlier versions of iOS 6. And by “closed” I mean it’s gone, you can’t do that, it’s not going to happen fanboy!

What this means for you is that if you’re not real fond of iOS 7 on your new iPad, iPod, etc. then tough tablets! And if you have an older Apple device and you thought you would try iOS7, because that’s what people do, they try things, once you’ve installed it you better learn to love it! Or to quote the headline on a readwrite.com post, “You Can Upgrade Anytime You Like, But You Can Never Leave”. (Insert Don Felder guitar solo from Hotel California)

Should this news be too much for you to live with.. there are always options, extreme though they may be. You could attempt to design the first jailbreak that solves this dilemma, or you could simply buy an older piece of hardware with your favorite version of iOS 6 still installed.

Sadly, if you are not a fan of iOS7 Apple has created the very definition of dilemma – a situation necessitating a choice between two equal, esp equally undesirable, alternatives. But that’s the way the upgrade crumbles!