Unlock Your Smartphone with a Tattoo

Unlock Your Smartphone with a Tattoo

We all know that our digital lives are contained on our smartphones, from sensitive financial information, emails and addresses to photos, videos and our social media; however, do you realize that studies have shown most smartphone users don’t even bother to protect themselves by simply setting a basic lock code on the smartphone’s lock screen? Unlock Your Smartphone with a TattooWhile it’s easier to just grab our phones and use them, rather than having to swipe our finger across the screen or tap some combination of numbers, if our phones are lost and fall into the wrong hands, our digital lives, which echoes our real life, can be ruined.

Major smartphone manufacturers have been working on different types of security methods to encourage smartphone owners to keep their phones safe, but these methods range from inconvenient and not totally secure.

Adding to the types of smartphone security methods, Regina Dugan, head of Google’s Advanced Technologies and Products group, talks about a temporary tattoo and even a pill that you swallow to authenticate you to your smartphone. The temporary tattoo, a round, nickel-sized sticker, shimmery copper in color in a spiral design, has a NFC chip inside. Just place the sticker on your skin where it’s easily accessible and tap your smartphone on the tattoo to unlock it.

Sound too good to be true? Well, there are a couple of drawbacks. Your smartphone screen has to be turned on for it to recognize the tattoo and some say it takes longer than just typing in a PIN or drawing a swipe code. It also requires the use of two arms/hands rather than just one and you have to set the whole process up again each time you switch out the old tattoo for a new one.

But, for only $9.99 you can purchase a pack of 10 Digital Tattoos, each expected to last about 5 days each, and try your hand at the biohacking movement!

(Image from The Verge)

About the Author

Ginger Hill is Group Social Media Manager.

Featured

  • From Surveillance to Intelligence

    Years ago, it would have been significantly more expensive to run an analytic like that — requiring a custom-built solution with burdensome infrastructure demands — but modern edge devices have made it accessible to everyone. It also saves time, which is a critical factor if a missing child is involved. Video compression technology has played a critical role as well. Over the years, significant advancements have been made in video coding standards — including H.263, MPEG formats, and H.264—alongside compression optimization technologies developed by IP video manufacturers to improve efficiency without sacrificing quality. The open-source AV1 codec developed by the Alliance for Open Media—a consortium including Google, Netflix, Microsoft, Amazon and others — is already the preferred decoder for cloud-based applications, and is quickly becoming the standard for video compression of all types. Read Now

  • Cost: Reactive vs. Proactive Security

    Security breaches often happen despite the availability of tools to prevent them. To combat this problem, the industry is shifting from reactive correction to proactive protection. This article will examine why so many security leaders have realized they must “lead before the breach” – not after. Read Now

  • Achieving Clear Audio

    In today’s ever-changing world of security and risk management, effective communication via an intercom and door entry communication system is a critical communication tool to keep a facility’s staff, visitors and vendors safe. Read Now

  • Beyond Apps: Access Control for Today’s Residents

    The modern resident lives in an app-saturated world. From banking to grocery delivery, fitness tracking to ridesharing, nearly every service demands another download. But when it comes to accessing the place you live, most people do not want to clutter their phone with yet another app, especially if its only purpose is to open a door. Read Now

  • Survey: 48 Percent of Worshippers Feel Less Safe Attending In-Person Services

    Almost half (48%) of those who attend religious services say they feel less safe attending in-person due to rising acts of violence at places of worship. In fact, 39% report these safety concerns have led them to change how often they attend in-person services, according to new research from Verkada conducted online by The Harris Poll among 1,123 U.S. adults who attend a religious service or event at least once a month. Read Now

New Products

  • Compact IP Video Intercom

    Viking’s X-205 Series of intercoms provide HD IP video and two-way voice communication - all wrapped up in an attractive compact chassis.

  • PE80 Series

    PE80 Series by SARGENT / ED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin

    ASSA ABLOY, a global leader in access solutions, has announced the launch of two next generation exit devices from long-standing leaders in the premium exit device market: the PE80 Series by SARGENT and the PED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin. These new exit devices boast industry-first features that are specifically designed to provide enhanced safety, security and convenience, setting new standards for exit solutions. The SARGENT PE80 and Corbin Russwin PED4000/PED5000 Series exit devices are engineered to meet the ever-evolving needs of modern buildings. Featuring the high strength, security and durability that ASSA ABLOY is known for, the new exit devices deliver several innovative, industry-first features in addition to elegant design finishes for every opening.

  • 4K Video Decoder

    3xLOGIC’s VH-DECODER-4K is perfect for use in organizations of all sizes in diverse vertical sectors such as retail, leisure and hospitality, education and commercial premises.