New rumor points to fingerprint sensor, NFC e-wallet in Apple's next iPhone
A new report out of China claims that Apple has contracted with Taiwan's Chipbond Science and Technology to build fingerprint sensors into its next-generation iPhone.
The details were reported on Monday by China Times, which claimed that the so-called "iPhone 5S" will include both a fingerprint sensor and a near-field communications chip for mobile payments. The two items are expected to work in concert with one another, allowing users to easily authorize a transaction with their fingerprint.
Apple reportedly began stocking components for the iPhone 5S during the second quarter. The device is expected to launch in mid-to-late 2013.
The details reported on Monday align with what was previously claimed by analyst Ming-chi Kuo of KGI Securities, who has a reliable track record in predicting Apple's future product pipeline. Kuo believes the new iPhone 5S will launch sometime in June or July with the same aesthetic as the iPhone 5, but with the addition of a built-in fingerprint sensor, along with an improved camera and more powerful A7 system on a chip.
According to Kuo, the fingerprint sensor will reside under the home button on the device. Users will simply place their thumb over the button when prompted, and the identity of the user can be verified for various tasks such as entering passwords or authorizing purchases.
The first signs of a potential fingerprint scanner in future devices appeared last year when it was revealed that Apple had bought security firm AuthenTec. The $356 million acquisition was reportedly focused on the company's "Smart Sensor" component, which measures just 1.30 millimeters thick but can scan 500 pixels per inch.
As for the possibility of an NFC e-wallet in the next iPhone, Apple set the stage for such a move last year with the debut of Passbook in iOS 6. But in launching Passbook, Apple decided to eschew NFC payments, due in part to the need for mobile payment terminals at stores for such a system to work.
The details were reported on Monday by China Times, which claimed that the so-called "iPhone 5S" will include both a fingerprint sensor and a near-field communications chip for mobile payments. The two items are expected to work in concert with one another, allowing users to easily authorize a transaction with their fingerprint.
Apple reportedly began stocking components for the iPhone 5S during the second quarter. The device is expected to launch in mid-to-late 2013.
The details reported on Monday align with what was previously claimed by analyst Ming-chi Kuo of KGI Securities, who has a reliable track record in predicting Apple's future product pipeline. Kuo believes the new iPhone 5S will launch sometime in June or July with the same aesthetic as the iPhone 5, but with the addition of a built-in fingerprint sensor, along with an improved camera and more powerful A7 system on a chip.
According to Kuo, the fingerprint sensor will reside under the home button on the device. Users will simply place their thumb over the button when prompted, and the identity of the user can be verified for various tasks such as entering passwords or authorizing purchases.
The first signs of a potential fingerprint scanner in future devices appeared last year when it was revealed that Apple had bought security firm AuthenTec. The $356 million acquisition was reportedly focused on the company's "Smart Sensor" component, which measures just 1.30 millimeters thick but can scan 500 pixels per inch.
As for the possibility of an NFC e-wallet in the next iPhone, Apple set the stage for such a move last year with the debut of Passbook in iOS 6. But in launching Passbook, Apple decided to eschew NFC payments, due in part to the need for mobile payment terminals at stores for such a system to work.
Comments
A non mechanical home button. Thats the only way I see there being any kind of sensor to scan finger prints. Dragging a finger across the home button leaves for residue between the button and the main glass that can build up and may cause issues.
Quote:
Originally Posted by AppleInsider
According to Kuo, the fingerprint sensor will reside under the home button on the device. Users will simply place their thumb over the button when prompted, ...
Wonder how many people will then also click the button by habit, and accidentally leave the payment app.
Might take a little getting used to. Otherwise, pretty cool.
What about the sensor behind the glass face of the Home Button so that it's a physical button that has a digital sensor in it?
Quote:
Originally Posted by monstrosity
Even if it had a flux capacitor they would still find ways to spin it negatively.
1.21 gigawatts would drain the battery pretty quickly.
Quote:
Originally Posted by RichL
1.21 gigawatts would drain the battery pretty quickly.
Perfect ! :-)
analyst" in the article I want to find so-called scumbag analyst and beat the crap out of him!
These people are paid ridiculous sums of money to talk out of their asses, makes me sick.
NFC would be a step in the right direction for them.
So then it would finally be true that Apple is copying Android phones.
"Apple is forcing us to buy their proprietary plutonium fuel cells"
Quote:
Originally Posted by SolipsismX
"Apple is forcing us to buy their proprietary plutonium fuel cells"
"Why can't we customize the speed at which the time travel initiates? What if I want it to happen at 69mph instead of 88? I'm so sick of the lack of customization!"
This is good. I was waiting for this. NFC is good, fingerprint is good, but I still need a 4.8-5 inch screen. I might stay with Apple if they bring these to the next iPhone. Ha, look at AAPL, it just jumped up! Probably because of this rumour.
Quote:
Originally Posted by KDarling
Wonder how many people will then also click the button by habit, and accidentally leave the payment app.
Might take a little getting used to. Otherwise, pretty cool.
Perhaps the prompt on the screen would simply say "press the home button to confirm identity," and at those (few) times, the press would have a different result than usual. I know it breaks the consistency model, but not in a way that would be frequent or confusing. The user will know why they are doing it when they are doing it, and the result (clearing the prompt and continuing with what you were attempting to do) would be entirely expected.
Thompson
Quote:
Originally Posted by SolipsismX
Say it enough times I'm sure it will eventually be true.
I could bet everything that at least the fingerprint sensor is true. Last year every rumour has been confirmed. When a rumour about NFC had appeared in August, a NO NFC rumour quickly was published in WSJ and Bloomberg. Make no mistake, these rumours are controlled rumours spread by Apple.
As for companies not having the hardware for nfc, Apple will practically give them away, I would think. They'll make their money on the transaction.