Apple Might Soon Have Automatic Unlocking Feature

Apple incessantly experiments with new methods of locking and unlocking their devices. Latest in the line was Touch ID tech. However, a new patent filed by Apple with the USPTO or US Patent and Trademark Office shows that there is more to come in this regard. But the good news is, instead of complicating the unlocking mechanism even more, this might actually alleviate the problems of iPhone users who are fed up with entering passwords and passcodes every time they want to use their phones.

The new patent is a location based automatic unlocking feature which identifies the network or location the user is in and erects barriers or diminishes security based on that. The user has to input information designating a location as “safe zone”. For instance, if a user sets their home as a safe zone, then the phone will unlock itself when the phone is there. And when a user enters a unknown location or network then strong security measures will be put in place. In other words, the location of the device will influence device behavior.

Given the number of unused patents that Apple has, it is possible that this feature might never be actually used. However, this feature will undoubtedly be very popular among iPhone users because it will make it easy for a person to access their device.