In late July 2024, Apple is purchasing biometrics company AuthenTec, acquiring the technology that will be used for secure authentication and payments using Touch ID on iPhone and other devices.
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The $356 million acquisition gives Apple the right to use AuthenTec’s hardware, software and patents. Apple engineers will soon begin work on creating Touch ID sensors in the iPhone 5s. In the long term, AuthenTec’s mobile wallet technology will also pave the way for an Apple Pay payment system.
Although the dream of using fingerprint sensors in smartphones had been around for a while, AuthenTec’s technology didn’t work out as expected at first. In 2013, co-founder F. Scott Moody recalled how an early demonstration of AuthenTec for IBM went terribly wrong, mistaking IBM’s CTO for AuthenTec’s other co-founder. After AuthenTec made the necessary changes and demonstrated the final product, it wasn’t long before companies like Motorola, Fujitsu, and Apple became interested in the possibility of a buyout. Apple ultimately won out.
However, Motorola actually had Apple ahead of it when it launched its Atrix 2011G phone with a fingerprint sensor in 4, two years before Apple with TouchID. While Motorola’s technology worked well enough, it was less intuitive. The fingerprint sensor was on the back of the phone, and users had to hover over it to authenticate rather than simply touch it.
Apple’s Touch ID solution, however, was not only secure. It also proved to be very fast: significantly faster and easier than typing even a short four-digit PIN. “The most important thing that comes from this is that Apple will likely gain a strong position on the use of biometrics for identification in general – for online and physical purchases, for website logins, and even for digital signatures.” written at the time of AuthenTec’s acquisition of the Cult of Mac server.
Touch ID debuted on the iPhone 5s in 2013, and was initially used only to unlock the phone. A year later, with the launch of the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, Apple expanded the usefulness of Touch ID. At one point, the fingerprint sensor also worked to authenticate iTunes and App Store purchases using Apple Pay.
After introducing Face ID, Apple’s facial recognition feature that debuted with the iPhone X in 2017, the days of Touch ID seemed largely numbered. Apple, however, still incorporates the technology into some of its major products. The third-generation iPhone SE, released in early 2022, and the ninth-generation iPad, released in 2021, use Touch ID in the legacy Home buttons. The latest entry-level iPads and iPad minis have moved the Touch ID sensor to the Power button.
How did Apple’s acquisition of AuthenTec influence the development of Touch ID?
The Evolution of Secure Authentication: How Apple’s Acquisition of AuthenTec Led to Touch ID and Beyond
In the summer of 2012, Apple made a strategic move to revolutionize the way we authenticate and make payments on our devices. The tech giant acquired AuthenTec, a leading biometrics company, for a whopping $356 million. This acquisition granted Apple access to AuthenTec’s cutting-edge technology, including hardware, software, and patents, which ultimately paved the way for Touch ID, a secure and convenient biometric authentication system.
A Brief History of Fingerprint Technology
The concept of using fingerprint sensors in smartphones dates back to the early 2000s. However, it wasn’t until AuthenTec developed a reliable and accurate technology that the dream of secure biometric authentication became a reality. Initially, the company faced challenges, with an early demonstration for IBM ending in embarrassment when the system mistook the CTO for AuthenTec’s co-founder. After refining their product, AuthenTec attracted the attention of major companies like Motorola, Fujitsu, and Apple, with the latter ultimately clinching the deal.
Motorola’s Early Foray into Fingerprint Technology
Interestingly, Motorola was the first to launch a smartphone with a fingerprint sensor, the Atrix 2011G phone, in 2011. While the technology worked, it was less intuitive than Apple’s eventual solution. The fingerprint sensor was located on the back of the phone, requiring users to hover over it to authenticate, rather than simply touching it as with Touch ID.
Touch ID: A Game-Changer in Biometric Authentication
Apple’s Touch ID solution, introduced with the iPhone 5s in 2013, was not only secure but also remarkably fast. The technology allowed users to effortlessly unlock their devices with a simple touch, making it significantly faster and easier than typing a short four-digit PIN. This pioneering move solidified Apple’s position as a leader in biometric authentication for identification, online and physical purchases, website logins, and digital signatures.
The Impact of Touch ID
The debut of Touch ID marked a significant shift in the way we interact with our devices. The feature quickly gained popularity, with users embracing the convenience and security it provided. As Apple expanded Touch ID’s capabilities with the launch of the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus in 2014, the technology’s potential uses began to unfold.
The Future of Secure Authentication and Payments
AuthenTec’s mobile wallet technology, acquired by Apple, laid the groundwork for the development of Apple Pay, a contactless payment system. This innovative feature allows users to make secure, tap-to-pay transactions with their devices, further solidifying Apple’s commitment to biometric authentication.
The Legacy of AuthenTec’s Acquisition
The acquisition of AuthenTec has had a profound impact on the tech industry. Apple’s groundbreaking work in biometric authentication has inspired others to explore similar technologies, driving innovation and advancing the field of secure authentication. As we look to the future, it is clear that Apple’s pioneering spirit and commitment to innovation will continue to shape the way we interact with technology.
Key Takeaways
Apple acquired AuthenTec in 2012 for $356 million, gaining access to the company’s biometric authentication technology, hardware, software, and patents.
AuthenTec’s technology was initially unreliable, but refinements led to its acquisition by Apple.
Motorola was the first to introduce a fingerprint sensor in a smartphone, but Apple’s Touch ID solution was more intuitive and secure.
Touch ID debuted on the iPhone 5s in 2013, revolutionizing biometric authentication and paving the way for Apple Pay.
* Apple’s leadership in biometric authentication has driven innovation in the field, shaping the future of secure authentication and payments.
– What impact did AuthenTec’s acquisition have on Apple’s biometric technology advancements?
The Evolution of Touch ID: How Apple’s Acquisition of AuthenTec Revolutionized Biometric Authentication
In July 2012, Apple made a significant move in the tech industry by acquiring AuthenTec, a leading biometrics company, for $356 million. This acquisition gave Apple access to AuthenTec’s advanced fingerprint recognition technology, which would later become the foundation of Touch ID, a secure and convenient biometric authentication system used in Apple devices.
How Did Apple’s Acquisition of AuthenTec Influence the Development of Touch ID?
AuthenTec’s technology was not new to the smartphone industry, but Apple’s acquisition marked a significant turning point in the development of Touch ID. The company’s engineers worked tirelessly to integrate AuthenTec’s hardware, software, and patents into Apple’s products, leading to the introduction of Touch ID in the iPhone 5s in 2013.
The initial demonstration of AuthenTec’s technology was not without its hiccups. Co-founder F. Scott Moody recalled an early demonstration for IBM, where the system mistakenly identified IBM’s CTO as AuthenTec’s other co-founder. However, after refining the technology, AuthenTec attracted the attention of several major companies, including Motorola, Fujitsu, and Apple.
The Rise of Touch ID: A Secure and Intuitive Biometric Authentication System
Apple’s Touch ID solution was a game-changer in the world of biometric authentication. Unlike Motorola’s Atrix 2011G phone, which featured a fingerprint sensor on the back of the phone, Apple’s Touch ID was both secure and intuitive. Users could simply place their finger on the home button to authenticate, making it significantly faster and easier than typing a four-digit PIN.
Touch ID debuted on the iPhone 5s in 2013, initially used only to unlock the phone. However, with the launch of the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus in 2014, Apple expanded the capabilities of Touch ID, allowing users to authenticate iTunes and App Store purchases using Apple Pay.
The Legacy of Touch ID: A Pioneering Achievement in Biometric Authentication
The introduction of Face ID in 2017 with the iPhone X seemed to mark the end of Touch ID’s reign. However, Apple continues to incorporate Touch ID into some of its major products, including the iPad and MacBook lines.
Today, Touch ID remains a testament to Apple’s commitment to innovation and security. The technology has paved the way for a new era of biometric authentication, inspiring other companies to follow suit.
Apple’s acquisition of AuthenTec was a crucial step in the development of Touch ID, a pioneering achievement in biometric authentication. The technology has revolutionized the way we interact with our devices, providing a secure and intuitive way to authenticate and make payments. As the tech industry continues to evolve, the legacy of Touch ID will undoubtedly play a significant role in shaping the future of biometric authentication.
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