The US Patent and Trademark Office has
published a patent application from Apple,
detailing a new 'smart lock' system that modifies
the iPhone's lock system based on user location.
The patent describes a system that will track
your location based on GPS data or whether
you're connected to a known WiFi network, and
then change the security settings on your
phone depending on where you are.
"Because some locations may be inherently more
secure, such as a user's home or office, these
locations may be considered 'safe' and require
less stringent security," reads the patent
application.
A great example of this in action would be home
usage. If you're connected to the WiFi in your
house, the iPhone could recognise the low
security risk and remove the need to enter a
passcode entirely.
Alternatively, if GPS tracks you to downtown
Mogadishu, the iPhone would up the ante of its
lock system to ensure your data stays safe.
Apple doubled-down on mobile security last year
with the launch of the iPhone 5S, the first of
its devices to include a fingerprint scanner.
Curiously, Apple's patent-pending system
sounds very similar to the 'personal unlock'
feature unveiled by Google at its I/O conference
this year.
Google says a future version of Android
(probably Android L) will give devices the ability
to check for other nearby devices owned by the
same user, and will modify security systems like
passcode requirement based on the info. Are we
smelling the whiffs of a fresh patent war?
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