The iPhone 5S proves Apple hasn't lost its touch - CNET

The Touch ID fingerprint scanner shows that Apple can still lead the way in establishing new mainstream features on computing devices. September 18, 2013 12:00 PM PDT iPhone 5S Touch ID (Credit: CNET) For the most part, the iPhone 5S is a just another smartphone, faster and marginally better than its predecessor, not exactly cheaper or longer in the battery life. It gets some points for being beautifully designed hardware supporting a completely overhauled iOS user interface, but improved design and engineering from the competition is making that part of the Apple way less of an advantage. CNET's review of the 5S deemed it the fastest and most advanced Apple smartphone to date, but not a required upgrade. Despite the craving for an iPhone with a larger screen and more apps that will take advantage of the new faster processor and motion sensing coprocessor, with the Touch ID integrated fingerprint scanner, the iPhone 5S shows that Apple can still lead the way in establishing new mainstream features on computing devices. The basic technology of the Touch ID isn't new. Apple shelled out $356 million to acquire fingerprint sensor developer AuthenTec in July 2012. Motorola's ATRIX 4G smartphone, circa 2011, included a "power lock" fingerprint scanner that used AuthenTec's sensor technology. However, it was built into the back side of the phone, near the top, not on the front in the "home" position like the fingerprint scanner in iPhone 5S. The Touch ID home button is practically invisible, and works with a simple tap rather than swipe, recognizing a finger from multiple angles. While it's just used today as an alternative to keying in a four digit passcode, which doesn't save a great amount of time or energy, it is primed to be at the center of password control and a "tap-to-pay" mobile wallet on Apple's family of mobile devices. In describing his philosophy, Apple design chief Jony Ive told the Telegraph that his aim was "to bring a calm and simplicity to what are incredibly complex problems, so that you're not aware really of the solution, you're not aware of how hard the problem was that was eventually solved." Aided by its acquisition of AuthenTec investment, Apple has brought calm and simplicity to a complex problem.  via Technology - Google News http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNHDggEn7xKi-RhaxCzB0sfiv8X2Qw&url=http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-57603497-37/the-iphone-5s-proves-apple-hasnt-lost-its-touch/

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