let's talk about the Apple eco-system and possible TouchID on the back of new iPhone

[Michael Scrip]

I check and/or use my phone a zillion times a day with it laying on a table or desk.

Having a rear fingerprint sensor seems like it will be a hassle to have to actually lift up the phone up and slide a finger back there.

And yet... I hear comments from people who use other phones with rear fingerprint sensors that makes it sound OK.

There is a growing number of phones that have the fingerprint sensor on the back.

Samsung Galaxy S8
LG G6
Google Pixel

So I guess I'll get used to it if Apple does it too. I like the iPhone ecosystem enough to stick with it.

 

[Gathomblipoob]

If the FPS is on the back, I'm going love hearing Cook/Ive/whomever explaining that.

Worth the price of admission alone...haha.

I swear, if we see a white-drenched video of Ive explaining why a rear fingerprint sensor is a wonderful thing, I'll implode.

 

[Geert76]

If the FPS is on the back, I'm going love hearing Cook/Ive/whomever explaining that.

Worth the price of admission alone...haha.

I can assure you, for the real iPhone fan (the ones who yearly upgrade their iPhone and F5-ing when pre orders start) it will be amazing as soon as Tim uses his first ''amazing'' (out of about 200 amazing's) in his Keynote when mentioning TouchID on the back of the new iPhone

 

[eyoungren]

I check and/or use my phone a zillion times a day with it laying on a table or desk.

Having a rear fingerprint sensor seems like it will be a hassle to have to actually lift up the phone up and slide a finger back there.

And yet... I hear comments from people who use other phones with rear fingerprint sensors that makes it sound OK.

There is a growing number of phones that have the fingerprint sensor on the back.

Samsung Galaxy S8
LG G6
Google Pixel

So I guess I'll get used to it if Apple does it too. I like the iPhone ecosystem enough to stick with it.

Should this happen it will be interesting to hear the thoughts of those opposed to LED notification lights.

One wonders if the "It's no big deal to pick up your phone and check the screen for notifications" mantra will also apply to picking up your phone to unlock it from the back.

If one is easy, the other should be as well.

We'll see.
[doublepost=1495737640][/doublepost]

I swear, if we see a white-drenched video of Ive explaining why a rear fingerprint sensor is a wonderful thing, I'll implode.

Jony Ive should be made to use the products he designs in the manner which the customer uses them.

He might get a clue!
[doublepost=1495737695][/doublepost]

I can assure you, for the real iPhone fan (the ones who yearly upgrade their iPhone and F5-ing when pre orders start) it will be amazing as soon as Tim uses his first ''amazing'' (out of about 200 amazing's) in his Keynote when mentioning TouchID on the back of the new iPhone

The problem with amazing products is that when everything is amazing, nothing stands out.

 

[Newtons Apple]

We do not know for sure it is even going to be moved to the back so we all need to remain calm until November or December.

 

[Geert76]

We do not know for sure it is even going to be moved to the back so we all need to remain calm until November or December.

Add 10 to 12 weeks backorders and we're in March 2018

 

[bufffilm]

"This whole picking up the phone bit" brings up a interesting question...

Do most people place their phones face up or face down? Does where the FPS is situated have any bearing on it?

I always have mine face up. Face down seems counter-intuitive even if your phone has a rear FPS.

 

[Gathomblipoob]

I can assure you, for the real iPhone fan (the ones who yearly upgrade their iPhone and F5-ing when pre orders start) it will be amazing as soon as Tim uses his first ''amazing'' (out of about 200 amazing's) in his Keynote when mentioning TouchID on the back of the new iPhone

No, it won't. I upgrade every year and will not find it amazing if the sensor is on the back.

 

[eyoungren]

"This whole picking up the phone bit" brings up a interesting question...

Do most people place their phones face up or face down? Does where the FPS is situated have any bearing on it?

I always have mine face up. Face down seems counter-intuitive even if your phone has a rear FPS.

If I am to lay it down outside of the spots I normally place it, I lay it face up. Some people claim that's how dust gets into the phone. For me, if something is going to scratch because of the surface I lay my phone down on I want it to be the back and not the glass.

My wife lays her phone face down, but she uses cases and hers has a lip around the front. Her reasons are privacy only.

Where my iPhone spends about 90% of it's time…

 

[bufffilm]

If I am to lay it down outside of the spots I normally place it, I lay it face up. Some people claim that's how dust gets into the phone. For me, if something is going to scratch because of the surface I lay my phone down on I want it to be the back and not the glass.

My wife lays her phone face down, but she uses cases and hers has a lip around the front. Her reasons are privacy only.

Where my iPhone spends about 90% of it's time…

View attachment 701019

You bring up 2 points which I hadn't considered - whether you have a case and also whether a glass protector is on it.

Hmmm...

 

[eyoungren]

You bring up 2 points which I hadn't considered - whether you have a case and also whether a glass protector is on it.

Hmmm...

The last time I used a glass screen protector it did s superb job protecting itself! The screen behind it shattered but not a scratch was to be found on the screen protector!

 

[nburwell]

Am I going to pitch a fit if the Touch ID is on the back of the phone? No. Would I prefer the Touch ID be on the front of the phone? Yes. But if the overall design of the new iPhone doesn't entice me, then I would consider switching OS platforms.

A lot of my friends/family are on iOS, so it's great to have iMessage synced across my iPhone, iPad and MBP. However, if I switched to Android, it wouldn't be the end of the world. Minus my family, the majority of my friends all have WhatsApp for texting.

I don't want to leave the Apple ecosystem, but it really hinges on what Apple introduces this fall.

 

[Gathomblipoob]

My wife lays her phone face down, but she uses cases and hers has a lip around the front. Her reasons are privacy only.

That's how I do it as well.

 

[44267547]

Am I going to pitch a fit if the Touch ID is on the back of the phone? No. Would I prefer the Touch ID be on the front of the phone? Yes. But if the overall design of the new iPhone doesn't entice me, then I would consider switching OS platforms.

A lot of my friends/family are on iOS, so it's great to have iMessage synced across my iPhone, iPad and MBP. However, if I switched to Android, it wouldn't be the end of the world. Minus my family, the majority of my friends all have WhatsApp for texting.

I don't want to leave the Apple ecosystem, but it really hinges on what Apple introduces this fall.

I respect your points. And I see this a lot where usually as we approach closer to the iPhone launch, you have those two options if the user will abandon Apple or join Android. And there's nothing wrong with the dabbling into a different phone manufacture.

I find out most times, it seems those who leave Apple, eventually rejoin and explain their reasons why they didn't appreciate Android. It's harder especially if you have always been subjected to iOS. Like myself,
I will never cross platform and IOS suits My preferences better across the products I own from Apple.

 

[eyoungren]

It's harder especially if you have always been subjected to iOS. Like myself,
I will never cross platform and IOS suits My preferences better across the products I own from Apple.

I think that's true.

I was a PC person from 1990 until 2003. For four years however, because of my profession, I worked on Macs.

Having come from the PC/DOS era (I hated Windows) I was able to appreciate Mac better, but still maintain a skepticism that serves me today.

In 2003 when I converted to Mac I was ready because having had the experience of working with Macs I was able to see what PC was NOT doing for me.

Likewise, when I got my first iPhone I was coming from the perspective of Windows Mobile. It's why I still observe Apple with what I hope is a critical eye.

Apple tends to craft their services so they all work well together. Although I don't use most of them I can still appreciate it and understand why it's difficult to move elsewhere.

 

[biscuit0819]

Even if you place it face up unlocking it is awkward anyway. Most of us have it in our hands 99% of the time so whilst it is annoying, I'm not too concerned about it. If you have it in a dock all day that's a different story. Maybe someone will come out with one that has a fingerprint sensor.

 

[Geert76]

I check and/or use my phone a zillion times a day with it laying on a table or desk.

Having a rear fingerprint sensor seems like it will be a hassle to have to actually lift up the phone up and slide a finger back there.

When my S8 is laying on a table; I tick the home button to wake the screen, look at the iris scanner and instantly unlocks my phone. Without lifting up the phone.

But usually when I work at home, its on my stand up wireless fast charger, then its even more simple

 

[Michael Scrip]

When my S8 is laying on a table; I tick the home button to wake the screen, look at the iris scanner and instantly unlocks my phone. Without lifting up the phone.

How close of an angle do you have to be in view of the cameras for the iris-unlock to work?

I'm thinking if a phone is laying flat on the table... you'd pretty much have lean over the phone to be on top of it to see your eyes.

When I see iris demos... the people are literally holding it up in front of their face. I.E the face of the phone is parallel with their face.

Whereas now I can place my thumb on TouchID and it opens... even if my face is nowhere near the phone.

But usually when I work at home, its on my stand up wireless fast charger, then its even more simple

I have an Elgato stand for my iPhone on my desk. I just checked to see if I am able to reach the FP sensor if it was on the back. It should work!

But yeah... maybe Apple will unveil some sort of eye-unlocking. On the stand it's angled perfectly at my face!

 

[ApfelKuchen]

And it will be practicality at all prices?
Or will you be skipping a future $1000-1200 iPhone (cause I think we will be getting that way in 2 or 3 years) in the future and be satisfied with an older model iPhone? So that you wont get the latest features Apple offers in their latest iPhone.

I'm satisfied with older-model Apple products today (iPhone 6, first-generation Watch, Late 2013 iMac), no reason I wouldn't be in 2 or 3 years (though I doubt your pessimistic view of pricing will come to pass). I'm not as concerned with having the latest, top-line hardware features (dual-lens cameras, 27" Retina displays, Touchbar) as I am with getting OS updates for my existing devices that deliver as many of the newest OS features as my hardware will support. Apple has had a great track record with that, since their strategy has been to include as many Apple users as possible within the ecosystem, at no extra charge.

 

[bufffilm]

Am I going to pitch a fit if the Touch ID is on the back of the phone? No. Would I prefer the Touch ID be on the front of the phone? Yes. But if the overall design of the new iPhone doesn't entice me, then I would consider switching OS platforms.

A lot of my friends/family are on iOS, so it's great to have iMessage synced across my iPhone, iPad and MBP. However, if I switched to Android, it wouldn't be the end of the world. Minus my family, the majority of my friends all have WhatsApp for texting.

I don't want to leave the Apple ecosystem, but it really hinges on what Apple introduces this fall.

It's interesting that you say you might leave if the new iPhone is disappointing.

I would think people would perhaps give Apple another year before making the jump, but...

 

[eyoungren]

It's interesting that you say you might leave if the new iPhone is disappointing.

I would think people would perhaps give Apple another year before making the jump, but...

I'm thinking of leaving. And it's not a snap decision either.

This is the year that I said I would give Apple LAST year when they gave us the third iteration of the iPhone 6/6+.

So, nburwell may have done the same.

 

[bufffilm]

So with the latest rumors out, the FPS is on the front.

You can breathe a sigh of relief. Size is also pretty nice (but I would like even smaller).

People will be buying this phone no matter the price. There will be a pre-order frenzy!

 

[Shanghaichica]

I can assure you, for the real iPhone fan (the ones who yearly upgrade their iPhone and F5-ing when pre orders start) it will be amazing as soon as Tim uses his first ''amazing'' (out of about 200 amazing's) in his Keynote when mentioning TouchID on the back of the new iPhone

Well it will depend on where the sensor is placed if it's on the back. I would prefer it to remain on the front but if it's in a good location e.g the pixel then it would be ok. Let's not pretend that the fingerprint scanner on the S8 isn't ridiculous.

 

[44267547]

I'm thinking of leaving. And it's not a snap decision either.

This is the year that I said I would give Apple LAST year when they gave us the third iteration of the iPhone 6/6+.

So, nburwell may have done the same.

I see your view point. Honestly, if you're not content with upgrading this fall, I would encourage you to leave the iPhone and see how you like the other competitors. Maybe it will be more in tune to what you want and it really depends how deep you are into Apples ecosystem, which I believe you are.

For me, I have way too many investments with Apple to walk away, it's just not possible for me at this point with all the products I have and how they communicate with each other. I would have a completely broken system without the integration. But I'm also confident will see the appropriate changes this Fall with the iPhone.

 

[eyoungren]

I see your view point. Honestly, if you're not content with upgrading this fall, I would encourage you to leave the iPhone and see how you like the other competitors. Maybe it will be more in tune to what you want and it really depends how deep you are into Apples ecosystem, which I believe you are.

About the only investment I have in iPhone is iMessage. If I do leave, it's back to SMS. Since most cell plans now have unlimited texting (and mine does) that's not any big issue to me.

Everything else is different services. Dropbox, Google, etc. And there is nothing on my phone that would be devastating to lose.

I may benefit actually by leaving in that I might end up with a phone that I can synce content with. I may leave iPhone but I'm certainly not throwing out my Macs.

For me, I have way too many investments with Apple to walk away, it's just not possible for me at this point with all the products I have and how they communicate with each other. I would have a completely broken system without the integration. But I'm also confident will see the appropriate changes this Fall with the iPhone.

And this is another reason Apple guards their secrets and only rarely allows limited use outside of Apple devices. People get comfortable and they become used to what's working for them. The incentive against change and the problems associated with change are often enough to prevent change.

Which is not a bad thing. We all use what it is that works best for us. I just object to surrendering total control so I don't keep all my eggs in one basket.

As to changes, I sure hope so. Believe it or not I'd like to stick with Apple. Moving the wife over to something else is an entirely different thing than myself alone.