3 ms·

Maybe a smartwatch reading the heart rate of the owner and noticing stimulation could trigger the same functionality as well.

• k_sze 7y ago
  The connection between the smartwatch and the computer would, in practice, be wireless, which is something the author wants to avoid because it's easier to hack without the victim noticing.
  • sysbin 7y ago
    I'm sure with encryption there shouldn't be much worry. I think currently apple watches allow users to unlock their computers when returning.
• nkrisc 7y ago
  Sure, but is that really useful? Just better not read something exciting or notice an attractive person while working.
  • sysbin 7y ago
    The heart rate of your examples are somewhat different compared to an active threat for most people I assume from being in a situation when a crime is taking place. Although, I would be curious to view trials of each situation showing the heart rate measurement with the statistical average result.
    • nkrisc 7y ago
      Many other potential variables as well. When experiencing this event, how long does it take your heart rate to reach a point it can be identified as worthy of triggering the switch? Is the laptop still in range of your smart watch at that point? Then there's the reliability of the wireless connection and the watches ability to accurately read your heart rate (make sure it's seated correctly). If this is a situation you're actually concerned about, the approach in the article seems simpler and more foolproof.
      • sysbin 7y ago
        I assume you would want the computer to be locked if the watch signal dropped and being concerned enough to desire the feature in question. I'm doubtful one's heart rate isn't increasing in an event of theft and where it wouldn't lock a person out in time before for a person significantly uses the device. There are multiple variables but I can also see the wired approach being futile in situations where a person is pinned down by multiple people.
• mlinksva 7y ago
  Do any phones have a tether like this? Or use some other mechanism to guess that possession may have changed and autolock?
  • sysbin 7y ago
    I'm doubtful one exists for android or iOS but I can imagine it wouldn't be that hard to implement with a smartwatch signalling to a phone (instead of a laptop). The only trouble a developer would have with implementing is if they have sufficient access to APIs that might be private and the ability to run a background service using the APIs at a sufficient interval.