AppleInsider Staff
Less than one day before Apple is expected to unveil its new iPhone lineup, a report from The Wall Street Journal reiterates rumors that the flagship "iPhone 5S" will carry a biometric fingerprint reader.
People familiar with the matter told the publication last week that fingerprint scanners will be built into the "more expensive of two iPhones" Apple plans to announce at a media event on Tuesday, seemingly confirming a long stream of rumors regarding the feature's inclusion.
The publication speculates that Apple's entry into the biometric security segment will spark interest from other handset makers to find similar solution. Another source claims at least one smartphone running Google's Android will incorporate fingerprint security, though it is unknown if the device will be marketed in the U.S.
Apple is expected to field a fingerprint sensor built by AuthenTec, a biometric security firm the Cupertino company purchased for $356 million in 2012, and plans to place the module under the iPhone's home button. While other handsets and computers have tried to use fingerprinting methods in the past, Apple's solution is thought to be much more intuitive and less prone to error.
Instead of swiping a finger across a small sensor strip, the AuthenTec package uses RF field attenuation to map a user's print. This static means of capture would allow iPhone owners to authenticate by simply pressing the home button as they would when waking the phone from sleep.
Most recently, rumors of a "silver ring" surrounding the "iPhone 5S" home button surfaced, with some claiming the part was added as an aesthetic flourish. AppleInsider, however, reported that Apple's patent applications suggest the component likely serves a functional purpose in the fingerprint sensor's design.
All should be revealed at tomorrow's event, which is scheduled to kick off at 10 a.m. Pacific, 1 p.m. Eastern. AppleInsider will be providing live coverage of the proceedings.
Chip Loder
Marko Zivkovic
Wesley Hilliard
Christine McKee
Malcolm Owen
William Gallagher
59 Comments
I thought both would have the sensor if they were going to release an iWallet, on the logic that Apple would get a slice of all transactions and want as many devices to have the ability as possible. Now I'm thinking the iWallet comes next year.
(...) While other handsets and computers have tried to use fingerprinting methods in the past, Apple's solution is thought to be much more intuitive and less prone to error. (...)
If AuthenTec's technology is truly unique and as reliable as it's being reported then this kind of tech will certainly keep Apple's competition at bay for a little while, at least.
Malaysia thieves steal finger
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4396831.stm
Willfully ignorant repost crap.
Essentially no news here...
I thought both would have the sensor if they were going to release an iWallet, on the logic that Apple would get a slice of all transactions and want as many devices to have the ability as possible. Now I'm thinking the iWallet comes next year.
The fingerprint sensor will simply be a convenience because Apple can just assign a PIN for purchases on devices without fingerprint sensors.
On another note, I found this site from PayPal interesting:
https://www.paypal.com/webapps/mpp/beacon
Apple unveiled "iBeacons" at WWDC and many here have thought payment should be done through Bluetooth rather than NFC. Maybe Apple is planning to use iBeacons for the iWallet and the FP tech. I doubt Apple is going to announce a partnership with PayPal, but PayPal seems to be stealing the Beacon idea from Apple.