Rumor: Apple to add Touch ID to Retina MacBook Air as well as future Magic Mouse and Magic Trackpad
Apple may be planning an expansion of its Touch ID fingerprint authentication technology to its portable computers and peripherals in advance of a larger Apple Pay rollout, according to a Tuesday report out of Taiwan.
The forthcoming 12-inch MacBook Air -- which is widely believed to include a high-resolution Retina display and vastly-reduced I/O -- could also sport a Touch ID sensor positioned above its trackpad, Taiwanese Apple blog AppleCorner believes, citing supply chain sources. In addition, the Magic Mouse and Magic Trackpad may be updated to include the biometric functionality.
That could be a prelude to making Apple Pay available for payments on the web, the blog said. Currently, Apple Pay can only be used for in-store transactions via NFC or as part of the checkout process for iOS apps.
Such an expansion would put Apple Pay in direct competition with web checkout providers like PayPal and Amazon Payments, while opening a major new market. PayPal, currently an eBay subsidiary, is preparing to separate from the online auction giant in part to streamline operations as it gears up to battle with Apple and Google in the digital wallet space.
While the veracity of these rumors is impossible to determine, AppleCorner does have a relatively good track record when it comes to peeking into Apple's Asian supply chain. Last year, the blog published parts that it claimed were for the then-unannounced iPad Air 2, which later turned out to be genuine.
The forthcoming 12-inch MacBook Air -- which is widely believed to include a high-resolution Retina display and vastly-reduced I/O -- could also sport a Touch ID sensor positioned above its trackpad, Taiwanese Apple blog AppleCorner believes, citing supply chain sources. In addition, the Magic Mouse and Magic Trackpad may be updated to include the biometric functionality.
That could be a prelude to making Apple Pay available for payments on the web, the blog said. Currently, Apple Pay can only be used for in-store transactions via NFC or as part of the checkout process for iOS apps.
Such an expansion would put Apple Pay in direct competition with web checkout providers like PayPal and Amazon Payments, while opening a major new market. PayPal, currently an eBay subsidiary, is preparing to separate from the online auction giant in part to streamline operations as it gears up to battle with Apple and Google in the digital wallet space.
While the veracity of these rumors is impossible to determine, AppleCorner does have a relatively good track record when it comes to peeking into Apple's Asian supply chain. Last year, the blog published parts that it claimed were for the then-unannounced iPad Air 2, which later turned out to be genuine.
Comments
What I really want to know is if the iCar will have touch ID.
Current law would disfavor the use of Touch ID, unless also used in combination with a password, for any who are seriously concerned about data protection. Touch ID is convenient for Apple Pay, however.
That will be an awesome retrofit of all Macs with the Magic mouse and TrackPad.
Yea! Not surprising at all. Exactly as I wished for (and quasi-predicted) a few months ago! (I remember being blown off by a bunch of curmudgeons/naysayers here....)
?This is the sort of thing that will make ApplePay HUGE. And take AAPL to the next level.
Heard them mentioning this on the AI podcast. Yuck!
That would be awesome. Or just keep your iPhone in your pocket or your ?Watch on your wrist and simple open the door or walk away.
Not on an iMac/MacPro. Even on a laptop the power button isn't a normal place to rest your finger, so it isn't worth the extra engineering to integrate them.
You really don't know?
Fingerprints aren't currently protected by the Fifth Ammendment like passwords are.
Oh right, gotcha.
Fingerprints aren't currently protected by the Fifth Ammendment like passwords are.
That would be an interesting legal battle because Touch ID and other biometrics don't absolve passwords they just add another layer of authentication much like a keyboard is generally required to input said password.
Fingerprints aren't currently protected by the Fifth Ammendment like passwords are.
You guys are so cute to think your laws matter. I think your government has proven nothing is off-limits to them. Ask for permission when you get caught is their policy. Denial is another great one.
Heard them mentioning this on the AI podcast. Yuck!
Hopefully it won't look like shit if true - otherwise, imagine implementing a visible circle on the Magic Mouse's surface - absolutely terrible.