Roger Fingas
Apple on Thursday updated its official Apple Store app for iPhones and iPads with a pair of important changes, most notably expanded use of Touch ID.
People can now use Touch ID to authenticate their Apple ID, whether changing account settings or making a payment using a card linked to that account. Normally Touch ID is used to make purchases via Apple Pay, and in fact shoppers have to tap "buy with other payment options" in the app to use an Apple ID.
Apple has also made it easier to see if a particular iPhone configuration is available at a nearby outlet. That could be particularly important come this fall, when the "iPhone 7s" and "iPhone 8" are expected to debut — the latter of which may be in short supply.
The app otherwise appears unchanged. It's a free download from the App Store, and requires iOS 10 or later.
Charles Martin
Malcolm Owen
William Gallagher
Christine McKee
Wesley Hilliard
Andrew Orr
7 Comments
Oh, this seemingly small change might pan out to be a big change if Apple eventually enables Touch ID for any Apple account verification. Too often I am asked to enter my enormously long Apple password. It gets annoying. Touch ID for iCloud Keychain across Safari and 3rd party app integration would be HUGE. Bring It Apple!!
Do you really think Apple will release 2 different iPhone model numbers (a 7 variant and an 8) in the same year? It seems highly unlikely.
No one knows the actual names, but iPhone 7s and iPhone Pro seem most likely. iPhone Anniversary Edition?
In any case the convention has been to call it iPhone 8 for now to maximize confusion next year.
Apple's TouchID is a nuisance and not a security feature at all. What is the point that you have to use a passcode to unlock every now and then? Defeats the whole purpose of having biometric. I have to fight the App Store when it prompts for password and refuses to use TouchID from time to time.