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New Photo of Alleged iPhone 5S Home Button Flex Cable Could Point to Fingerprint Sensor Support

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Apr 12, 2001
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Over the past few months, a number of parts alleged to be for the iPhone 5S have leaked out of Asian parts and repair firms, but leaked home button parts had failed to provide evidence for the inclusion of a fingerprint sensor as has been widely rumored for the device.

But as noted by Nowhereelse.fr [Google Translate], a new home button flex cable part has surfaced that may show support for the fingerprint sensor. The part contains an identifier of 821-2092-01 in line with Apple's usual part number scheme, and appears to carry a manufacturing date code corresponding to the 29th week of 2013, or mid-July.

iphone_5s_home_button_sep13.jpg
The flex cable part is far more complex than that seen in the iPhone 5 or even the alleged iPhone 5S part leaked last month, containing a new square surface as well as several other components that may be related to fingerprint sensor functionality.

Apple routinely alters its combinations of components included on flex cable parts to suit its evolving internal and external designs, but it is not immediately apparent what existing component could account for the features seen on this part, suggesting that they may indeed be for a new feature such as the rumored fingerprint sensor.

Also potentially contributing to differences in part leaks is word that Apple initially did not build the fingerprint sensor into iPhone 5S prototype, instead connecting an external sensor for testing purposes. As a result, the home button flex cable design may have changed over time as Apple worked to move it from an external assembly into the home button.

Finally, early part leaks may have seen some confusion over which parts were destined for the iPhone 5S and which were intended for the lower-cost iPhone 5C, which is not expected to include a fingerprint sensor.

Apple is expected to introduce the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C at a media event on September 10.

Update: MobilesPie shared photos of a similar part last week, but the retailer selling the part lists it as for the iPhone 5C.

Article Link: New Photo of Alleged iPhone 5S Home Button Flex Cable Could Point to Fingerprint Sensor Support
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2013/09/03/new-photo-of-alleged-iphone-5s-home-button-flex-cable-could-point-to-fingerprint-sensor-support/
iMerik

iMerik

macrumors 6502a
May 3, 2011
666
522
Upper Midwest
More complex cable. Sounds promising. Should make for an exciting announcement... full of cheers and jeers I'm sure.
 
C

cuda12

macrumors member
Mar 13, 2011
67
0
Miami, FL
I dreamt last night that the new hardware sensor was a breathalyzer to prevent drunk driving. You heard it here first.
 
F

FlatlinerG

Cancelled
Dec 21, 2011
711
5
cuda12 said:
I dreamt last night that the new hardware sensor was a breathalyzer to prevent drunk driving. You heard it here first.
Click to expand...

Would sure bring an interesting twist to iOS in the Car.

EDIT: Brilliant twist actually..From a business standpoint, not brilliant, but from a social standpoint..
 
rtdunham

rtdunham

macrumors 6502a
Jun 21, 2003
991
81
St. Petersburg, FL, Northern KY
The fingerprint sensor would be a minor convenience, displacing the need to swipe & enter a p/w. What would make the sensor an actionable new feature for me would be its link to a payment system.

UPDATE: in light of the MR update, if the sensor's actually meant for the 5C, is there an association with a fingerprint sensor payment system and a phone manufactured particularly for use in China? Are such payment systems in place in China, more advanced/widely adopted there than in the US? I'd like to hear ideas from others who are better informed than I.
 
ValSalva

ValSalva

macrumors 68040
Jun 26, 2009
3,783
259
Burpelson AFB
cuda12 said:
I dreamt last night that the new hardware sensor was a breathalyzer to prevent drunk driving. You heard it here first.
Click to expand...

There is an attachment for the iPhone that does this. It may still be in development though. Sounds like a good idea but the liability implications are ominous if it fails. Suppose this app/attachment indicates 'normal' but then the person causes a crash and kills someone. Then they get to the hospital and get a proper blood alcohol level and it says they drunk. Lawsuit time.
 
A

auero

macrumors 65816
Sep 15, 2006
1,386
114
Without NFC, a fingerprint sensor is pointless to me. I know others here don't care for it.

Most of my local retailers support it already but we would see a flood of retailers supporting NFC if Apple included it in an iPhone.
 
sp3k0psv3t

sp3k0psv3t

macrumors regular
Jun 3, 2013
166
212
Miami, FL
Certainty?

I am hopeful that the extended cable is indicative of the new fingerprint sensor that has been rumored all summer. I think there is great possibility if Apple allows Devs to get involved and expand the offerings to include shopping apps, storing additional site PW as well as that to unlock the phone and maybe iTunes, and the ability to access and engage in secure communications and transactions with the new iPhone. Being able to store secure info about say a network domain or server to eliminate a VPN situation would be great (just throwing out a conceptual idea here).

But is is not certain that it IS a FPS so if it is NOT, then "what" could possibly be adding so much size and complexity to the Home Button as it stands if it is to do just what it does NOW?
 
P

pickaxe

macrumors 6502a
Nov 29, 2012
760
284
sp3k0psv3t said:
I think there is great possibility if Apple allows Devs to get involved and expand the offerings to include shopping apps, storing additional site PW as well as that to unlock the phone and maybe iTunes, and the ability to access and engage in secure communications and transactions with the new iPhone. [..]
Click to expand...

It's Apple, and they've dropped the ball repeatedly regarding giving developer API access to key features in iOS. See: 3rd party Notification Center Widgets, 3rd party SIRI integration and now 3rd party Control Center access. The last time they DID give API access to devs, the result was, IMO, a flop (Passbook).

I just don't see this happening.
 
B

borgqueenx

macrumors 65816
Jul 16, 2010
1,357
258
there goes the dreams for a fingerprint sensor in the next iphone....

i think slowmo mode is going to be the selling points^^
 
A

avanpelt

macrumors 68030
Jun 2, 2010
2,956
3,877
Mattsasa said:
when are the invitations going out??
Click to expand...

Very few people would know for sure; but if the event is going to be next Tuesday at 10:00 AM PT, my guess is we'll see the story up on MR before the close of business on the East Coast today.
 
sp3k0psv3t

sp3k0psv3t

macrumors regular
Jun 3, 2013
166
212
Miami, FL
pickaxe said:
It's Apple, and they've dropped the ball repeatedly regarding giving developer API access to key features in iOS. See: 3rd party Notification Center Widgets, 3rd party SIRI integration and now 3rd party Control Center access. The last time they DID give API access to devs, the result was, IMO, a flop (Passbook).

I just don't see this happening.
Click to expand...

That is the part that worries me; that the action will be something really good with great potential but will be limited and restricted because of the limitations and access by Devs. by Apple.

Then a potentially great product add and great service will stagnate with limited use and expansion and turn into more of a gimmick than a functional use component.

I hope that I am wrong, but if the past truly does repeat again, the Devs will be locked out of advancing the API and improving the functionality via 3rd party apps and services.
 
D

darkslide29

macrumors 68000
Oct 5, 2011
1,861
886
San Francisco, California
auero said:
Without NFC, a fingerprint sensor is pointless to me. I know others here don't care for it.

Most of my local retailers support it already but we would see a flood of retailers supporting NFC if Apple included it in an iPhone.
Click to expand...

Maybe the nfc chip is going to be inside of the iWatch, acting as a (an optional?) double secure system requiring your watch and iPhone to be near one another. A feature like that would sure push me over the edge of buying a watch.

I don't know how this would work exactly, I just remember reading an article on this site from an ex-Apple designer who says that's how they would do it, and it sounded good to me reading it at the time. :)

----------
Mattsasa said:
when are the invitations going out??
Click to expand...

What's the over/under, 10am? My money is on 955am. We should have made a pool.

Edit: oops, invitations are already front page.
 
J

Jimrod

macrumors 65816
Jun 24, 2010
1,199
659
I'm not really sure why people are so excited about a Fingerprint Sensor anyway, whoop de do, really faster or more reliable than a pin code for those that care about such things? I've seen people say "No Fingerprint Sensor, no sale!" - they should probably get out more.
 
rp2011

rp2011

macrumors 68020
Oct 12, 2010
2,336
2,653
It depends on how accurate and how easy it is to use it, but if it works flawlessly it would be a huge deal for me. Besides the usefulness in payments, it could also have huge implications to other connected devices and services, like opening your car or home door, online banking, it could make almost anything more secure. It could be huge for law enforcement and business customers.
 
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