It doesn't matter if it's portable or not...the link was to refute the comment that Apple doesn't put branding on the front, only on the rear.
For me, it makes total sense that Apple would do this for several reasons:
- We know fingerprint scanning is coming to the iPhone. Apple bought a whole company for this purpose.
- The scanner would have to be clear to scan properly. They could do a basic square again or spice it up. I think they'll spice it up.
- A glowing Apple logo that scans your finger has a big "cool" factor to it, plus it helps distinguish the iPhone in a world where smart phones are looking more similar. I'd believe the suggestion that there might be an led and color changes, too, for effect as well as function.
- It improves brand image in a time when Apple's reputation has softened. They need marketing help and a bit of added cool factor or "gotta have it" to make the 5S worth the upgrade.
- It ties in the look to their iMac line with the front logo, which they are working to develop tighter integration with in order to keep people in the ecosystem.
I'd say 90% chance this is real.
They bought a whole company to implement it into the "iPhone"? Do you have a source on that?
There is a lot of other things they could be doing with that tech, Apple makes more then just iPhones. Plus its not uncommon for a company like Apple to buy another company then not do anything with it in the end. Maybe when the Atrix came out with a scanner Apple thought it was a step in the right direction so they bought out that company but now have decided to crush that plan after seeing how much of a gimmick it was in Android.
Then again who knows maybe they are going to release some fantastic new fingerprint scanning tech on an iPhone.