Sam Oliver
Newly revealed parts claimed to be for Apple's next-generation premium iPhone may show a fingerprint sensor component that is expected to be embedded beneath the home button.
The new parts were published on Tuesday by Nowhereelse.fr. One of the components shows a round part that could be the fingerprint scanning hardware Apple apparently plans to feature in its so-called "iPhone 5S."
The newly revealed part is quite different — and more complex — than the home button component featured in the current iPhone 5. However, there is no identifying information that would confirm the part is necessarily for an Apple product.
Interestingly, previous leaked home buttons said to be for the "iPhone 5S" did not feature the same design. That's led to speculation that Apple may have excluded the new technology from earlier prototype builds of the device.
Last month, another part claimed to be for the "iPhone 5S" suggested a number of internal design tweaks, including a modified home button that could potentially accommodate the rumored embedded fingerprint sensor. Though internal changes are likely, it's expected that Apple's next iPhone will feature generally the same external appearance as the iPhone 5.
Perhaps the most convincing evidence for a fingerprint scanner in the next iPhone came from Apple's own iOS 7 beta, where references to a "Biometric Kit" were discovered. A string of text found in Apple's pre-release mobile operating system also described an image of "a person holding an iPhone with their right hand while touching the Home button with their thumb."
William Gallagher
Christine McKee
AppleInsider Staff
Chip Loder
Malcolm Owen
26 Comments
I'm excited for next week. I think this finger print scanner will have more purposes than simply unlocking the phone. Maybe we'll see additional biometric and health uses?
My only fear about this is that the button will accidentally get pressed while scanning (like if I'm in an app, it asks me to authenticate and the button press takes me out of the app) - though I'm sure Apple has thought of this.
So it means that we also shall see a redesigned iPad smart cover in the near future.
My only fear about this is that the button will accidentally get pressed while scanning (like if I'm in an app, it asks me to authenticate and the button press takes me out of the app) - though I'm sure Apple has thought of this.
You have to push pretty firm as it is to work the button- I doubt it'll be an issue even if nothing changes.
Hoping for a universally functional Passbook App. Now what folder did I stash that away in....
[quote name="blackbook" url="/t/159323/latest-parts-leak-may-show-apples-iphone-5s-fingerprint-scanner#post_2388899"]I'm excited for next week. I think this finger print scanner will have more purposes than simply unlocking the phone. Maybe we'll see additional biometric and health uses?[/quote]That's a good point. What proportion of iOS users have ever lost there phone or had someone attempt to 'break in'? I have no idea, but would be surprised if it were more than 2-3%. I'm not sure what else the scanner could do though, besides maybe a heart rate - maybe take thumb temperature? But of what use is that? I certainly hope they've included other uses. It also seems to me that there has been an in characteristically large number if 'leaks' - for iPhone 4 I think I remember hearing very little until Gizmodo got their hands on one. Could Apple be purposely directing attention to certain features, to distract from some other product or feature?