Apple's response to FBI dispute? IOS 10 is open

Probably because of the FBI dispute surrounding the decryption of an iPhone 5c, Apple has the system core of the beta of iOS 10 is not encrypted. In previous versions of the iOS was the kernel secured by encryption, what Apple that the security is a disservice.

Can a unencrypted system core increase security? Apple is this view and has the kernel of the beta version of iOS 10 In contrast to earlier versions of the iOS was left unencrypted. Now the company said, why it has taken this decision. "The kernel cache contains no user information and by the repeal of the encryption we were in the position to the performance of the operating system to increase, without a compromise of security problems", says an Apple spokesman from TechCrunch.

IOS system core is now open

The kernel is a central part of Apple's mobile operating system, iOS. It stated, among other things, whether and to what extent the applications on the iPhone or iPad can access to the hardware. It is therefore for the device security is of central importance. The advantage of the kernel decryption is that developers are now freely in the program code of the system kernel look. This could gaps and errors detected faster and patched.

Opening the kernel may have something to do with the dispute of the company with the US criminal authorities to do so. The FBI had in connection with the attack in San Bernardino Apple invited to the iPhone is one of the terrorists to unlock. Apple refused the cooperation to ensure the security mechanisms of iOS do not disclose to them. The fear was that it also criminal access to iphone could obtain.

Kernel release should serve the security

The decision to use the system key to decrypt, according to the security experts Jonathan Zdiarski a step against the heard of iOS security gaps. Secret jail breaks of iOS can be worth a lot of money, so for example a company has supposedly a hacker a million US dollars for a jailbreak iOS is paid. The FBI had allegedly even a five- or six-digit amount for the circumvention of the security of the iPhone 5c is paid. With the release of iOS kernel should be secret jail breaks are a thing of the past.

For iPhone 7? Apple developed pressure-sensitive home button

After 3D Touch Display for the iPhone might get in the future, a pressure-sensitive home button. Whether the technique, however, already is used in iPhone 7, is still unclear.

After 3D touch display Apple could develop a 3D touch home button next. This suggests, according to Apple Insider close at least one patent application submitted by the now approved the US Patent Office. Here Apple seems to transmit the idea of ​​a pressure-sensitive sensor on the iPhone home button.

Home-button is used for 3D touch element
From a technical perspective the druckempfindliche home button should work somewhat like 3D Touch or touch Force. To measure sensors inside the smartphones the distance between two electrodes and recognize the fact expresses how hard the user on the home button. The Touch ID feature to unlock the iPhone fingerprint you want to keep anyway.

What is the purpose pursued Apple with the new technology, is not yet known. It is conceivable, however, that the home button could get even more features in the future. So could a slight pressure as previously used to unlock your smartphone or to switch to the home screen. In high pressures, an additional menu might open contrast to the iPhone, which allows quick access to certain functions or apps.

Other Smartphones know similar functions already
Similar functions are already implemented in some Android smartphones. So opens on devices from LG when held down on the Task Manager button an additional menu that allows access to all phone settings. Whether Apple will bring the new technology at the upcoming iPhone 7 used is unclear. Normally, it always takes a while until a new technique actually finds its way into a finished product.