New iPhone ‘will recognise fingerprints’

The current model has been designed to fit the iPhone 5, but the firm is working on versions for other phones.

The current model has been designed to fit the iPhone 5, but the firm is working on versions for other phones.

Published Jul 31, 2013

Share

London - Good news for anyone who has trouble remembering the four-digit PIN to unlock their iPhone.

Rumours buzzing around on Tuesday suggest Apple plans to include a fingerprint sensor in the next generation of iPhones that will make every one unique to its owner.

Information found in a blueprint for Apple’s new mobile software implies that either the eagerly awaited iPhone 5S or iPhone 6 could come complete with the ultimate handy security lock.

The blueprint describes a user touching the “home” button with their thumb. A fingerprint then appears on the screen, that changes colour – presumably to signify a match – and the ‘recognition is complete’.

The feature could be for security reasons to unlock the phone, or to authorise payments in the App Store and prevent people from stealing mobiles, reading other users’ messages or obtaining personal data.

Earlier this year it was reported that a supply chain source in Taiwan said Apple had been forced to delay production of the next iPhone due to failure to find a coating material that did not interfere with the fingerprint sensor.

The fingerprint plan code was found in the newest version of Apple’s iOS 7 operating software – which is currently being tested.

The latest iPhone is expected to be released in September, although it is still unknown if it will be the iPhone 5S – a minor upgrade of the iPhone 5 – or a full sequel, the iPhone 6.

Apple is also believed to be near to announcing the release of a ‘budget’ iPhone designed to target the emerging smartphone markets in China and India. The model is likely to feature a plastic interface instead of aluminium and could retail for as little as £60 (about R900).

Speculation about Apple possibly including biometric scanning in its devices has been floating around since the company bought mobile security firm AuthenTec last July.

In 2011 Motorola had mixed success when it released the Atrix 4G which featured a biometric fingerprint sensor it claimed offered a level of security surpassing password or PIN locks. Many customers complained the sensor failed to recognise their fingerprint. - Daily Mail

 

* If you use Gmail to read IOL's newsletters, note that Google is rolling out a new tabbed inbox that filters your mail into 5 separate tabs - Primary, Social, Promotions, Updates and Forums. IOL emails will probably be sent to the “Promotions” tab instead of the “Primary” tab. If you don't want it that way, drag the newsletter from the Promotions tab to the Primary tab. An alert will pop up. Click “yes” and your newsletters will continue to go to your Primary inbox.

Related Topics: