As data and identity theft becomes more and more common, the market is growing for biometric (生物测量) technologies—like fingerprint scans—to keep others out of private e-spaces. At present, these technologies are still expensive, though.

Researchers from Georgia Tech say that they have come up with a low-cost device (装置) that gets around this problem: a smart keyboard. This smart keyboard precisely measures the cadence (节奏) with which one types and the pressure fingers apply to each key. The keyboard could offer a strong layer of security by analyzing things like the force of a user’s typing and the time between key presses. These patterns are unique to each person. Thus, the keyboard can determine people’s identities, and by extension, whether they should be given access to the computer it’s connected to—regardless of whether someone gets the password right.

It also doesn’t require a new type of technology that people aren’t already familiar with. Everybody uses a keyboard and everybody types differently.

In a study describing the technology, the researchers had 100 volunteers type the word “touch” four times using the smart keyboard. Data collected from the device could be used to recognize different participants based on how they typed, with very low error rates. The researchers say that the keyboard should be pretty straightforward to commercialize and is mostly made of inexpensive, plastic-like parts. The team hopes to make it to market in the near future.

This fall, Apple will roll out its newest update. It will offer parents greater control over content their kid views. Additionally, it will track the amount of time they spend using an iOS device. Following Google’s lead to deal with smart phone addiction (上瘾), new tools will include increased monitoring, usage time and activity reports.

Currently, Apple’s parental controls only allow for limiting usage of adult apps, music and video. There is growing public concern over unlimited exposure to social media for young people. Smartphone addiction combined with increased rates of distraction, suicide, and depression in teens led Apple to respond. It has developed better tools for monitoring content and control over iOS device usage for parents. For moms and dads looking to more effectively manage how their teen accesses   iOS devices, the Screen Time, App Limits, and Down Time features will be of particular help.

Screen Time will generate daily and weekly reports detailing how many times users pick up their devices, the categories of apps and websites they use most often and the amount of time they spend interacting with each app.

According to public statements, Apple intends these reports to help users get a greater understanding of how they use their devices. They’re also intended to assist in making personal decisions about controls they’d like to have. This is especially helpful to parents who aren’t privy(准许知情) to specific apps and websites their kid is using or how long they use them each day. The new App Limits feature allows parents to set limits on time spent on websites, apps or a category of apps.

Also, parents will be able to set time periods for their child’s phone to be powered off. Down Time can be scheduled on devices. Parents can specify which apps can and can’t be used and when. If parents want to limit access to an entire category of apps, such as social media or gaming, during specified time periods for things like homework, diner, or bedtime, they can.

The new parental controls are account-based. Parents can access Screen Time to view reports and set limits on their teen’s device remotely (远程地) via devices connected through Family Sharing or directly from their teen’s device.

Totals for settings, usage reports, and limits set are based on usage across all of a users IOS devices. Thus, if a kid uses multiple iOS devices, he or she will reach a time limit on an app on their iPhone. The app will be inaccessible on their iPad as well. A screen notification will appear when a child is about to reach a time limit. The child can request more time from a parent.

This update is good news for those who wish to have better insight into teen smartphone usage. Parents, however, should keep communicating rules and guidelines for healthy tech habits.