Apple said testing Android-style iOS pattern unlocks
updated 03:15 pm EST, Sun February 27, 2011
iPhone, iPad may get pattern unlock
Apple may be looking to implement a more complex and possibly more secure pattern-based unlock on iOS devices in the near future. A leak Sunday has shown a system very similar to Android's for unlocking the company's in-house AppleConnect app. According to the 9to5 tipster, users have to create a custom pattern across nine points and then complete it in a certain amount of time to get access to the app itself.
The implementation is so far being targeted at corporate use and would filter down as far as the EasyPay system on the iPod touch units that Apple retail staff receive. It's unclear whether it will ever reach the public, since Google may have patent rights that would preclude Apple from offering the app as part of a commercial product. If it arrived, it might show as soon as iOS 5, which could be previewed at this coming week's next-generation iPad event.
Critics have called for Apple to implement a tougher unlock system on the iPhone, a pattern being one of the most common recommendation. iOS currently uses a light four-digit PIN code system and is potentially easy to crack through brute force. A pattern can sometimes be found by looking for frequent smudges on a touchscreen but is otherwise difficult to breach.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Sep 2009
nifty idea
however if they are going to use this as a security tool perhaps they should give us the option to use either or even both.
You might be able to guess my pin, you might be able to eventually figure out my pattern based on smudges, but could you figure out both. Especially if you only had a limited number of attempts. Say ten total between both methods or my iphone auto wipes.
and I'm curious about the whole patent thing. I assume that Apple has to pay Google even for in house only use. Just perhaps not as much as if it was public