Apple TV’s $365 million acquisition of AuthenTec led to the groundbreaking Touch ID fingerprint sensor.
In a major strategic development, Apple paid AuthenTech $356 million to acquire hardware, software, and company patents. This acquisition provided an opportunity to place the Touch ID sensors in the iPhone 5S, a significant advancement in smartphone security. In addition, AuthenTec’s mobile wallet technology provided the basis for Apple’s future evolution.
The idea of having fingerprint sensors in smartphones wasn’t entirely new, but the technology developed by AuthenTech had issues in its earlier days. In one of the most memorable stories from 2013, co-founder F. Scot Moody told how the sensor failed to recognize IBM’s CTO but identified him as the other go founder of AuthenTec.
Early on, AuthenTec faced a couple of difficulties but continued to develop the technology and grab the attention of Motorola, Fujistu, and Apple, among others. Motorola even introduced the fingerprint sensor in its Atrix 4G in 2011 before Apple released the Touch ID.
The Motorola sensor, embedded into the back of the phone and needing a swipe to unlock, never appeared less intuitive. This makes Apple’s enhanced Touch ID technology superior to other existing and parallel technologies.
AuthenTec’s technology elevates Touch ID
Indeed, Apple touch ID, implemented with the help of AuthenTec’s technology, was quicker and easier than entering the 4-digit PIN. First used in the iPhone 5S in 2013, touch ID was initially used to unlock the device. As for the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus issued in September 2014, its scope was extended to identifying iTunes and app store purchases using Apple Play.
With the launch of the iPhone x in 2017, it then appeared that Face ID could replace Touch ID. Even though Touch ID is considered rather unsafe, Apple does not abandon it and still includes it in some entry-level products.
The third-generation iPhone SE 2022 and the 9th-generation iPad 2021 continue to integrate touch ID into the home button. The newest entry-level iPad and the iPad mini have moved the location of the touch ID sensor to the power button.
How did you feel when Touch ID was first introduced? Are you okay with it being replaced by Face ID on some new iPhone models? Please leave your experiences and perspectives in the comment section below.
