Fingerprints are Usernames, not Passwords

Re:Fingerprints are Usernames, not Passwords by diminish on Tuesday October 01, 2013 @03:53PM (#6478660)

does touchid have the disadvantage of keeping your friends and family unable to use your phone in cases of emergency? 95% of the time, my phone isnt next to adversaries, but trusted parties. a password or code is transferrable, fingerprint isnt.

edit; not 911emergency, but casual situations of full or dirty hands..

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Re:Fingerprints are Usernames, not Passwords by pbreit on Tuesday October 01, 2013 @04:12PM (#6478768)

You can always just use a PIN to unlock. It's probably safe to assume that Apple has thought this through (no need to remind me of the supposed chaos break-in).

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Re:Fingerprints are Usernames, not Passwords by dbags on Tuesday October 01, 2013 @03:56PM (#6478682)

You can add ten fingers, or you can give them your code, or they can dial 911 with a fully locked phone. So no, it's slightly easier for a relative to use in an emergency than a typical locked phone.

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Re:Fingerprints are Usernames, not Passwords by hfsktr on Tuesday October 01, 2013 @04:08PM (#6478750)

Mine when locked has a small touch section labeled 'emergency call'. I assume it goes through to 911 (or relevant number). I'm tempted to press it but it's not an emergency. I assumed most phones had something similar.

Edit: I went to it. I leads to a special dialer. Instead of voicemail the button leads to a special emergency contact (or list). It only shows 4 inputs on top so I am guessing that is the limit so you can't dial anything but emergency services (that are 4 numbers or shorter). Then it goes back to my lock screen.

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