Apple tendered an offer to buy them, but it has not been approved yet. Still they could be using it solely for security in the Passport app. Fingerprint sensors (Motorola Atrix) are neat but not necessarily a selling feature. It wouldn't happen for a few generations at the earliest (hardware) and perhaps iOS 7 for software implementation.
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Will the new iPhone have a finger print sensor?
- Thread starter loug116
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http://www.nowhereelse.fr/nouvel-iphone-5-photos-comparatives-70190/
And we see the mystery cut out again in today's latest leaked images.
The way I see it is that there are only 3 possabilities for this mystery hole:
- Cut away is a space for finger print sensor in iphone 5
- Cut away is for another component
- Cut away isn't for anything
It's no good saying "this won't happen", these are the three possible outcomes and at this stage in the leak process, my money is on number 1!
Why would these sensors need to 'see through' the back of the device? The ambient light/prox sensor are aimed through the front glass.
Also, I expect they would have individual cut outs, like the camera/flash have two separate holes, rather than one large one (I guess this is for rigidity?), which make me more inclined to think this is just for one wide sensor...
RRFID Antenna under apple logo? Could this address the concerns in the Anandtech article (http://www.anandtech.com/show/6196/preparing-for-the-iphone-next-rumors-analyzed/4)?
I'm with you on this. The only thing is that the other leaks of the rear shell do not include this individually machined square over the logo. Somebody just tell us already!
As you consider this possibility read this : https://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?p=15473210&authentec#post15473210
Authentec is a local company to me and word around town is that this story is true. Apple was fixed on getting a solution for a fixed time line. That COULD mean something.
Authentec is a local company to me and word around town is that this story is true. Apple was fixed on getting a solution for a fixed time line. That COULD mean something.
I'm with you on this. The only thing is that the other leaks of the rear shell do not include this individually machined square over the logo. Somebody just tell us already!
Another guy mentioned an NFC article earlier in the thread which discussed an Apple patent which allows an RFID antenna to work in an aluminium device, this could be an implementation of that.
I can't see a tangible reason that the cut away could be for anything else. It's great to hear that your town is buzzing with this news!
Come on man, gimme a reason, if you're going to play, you need to choose! Show us your critical thinking skills and reasoning for your conclusion:
- Cut away space is for a fingerprint sensor in iPhone 5
- Cut away sensor is for something else
- Cut away isn't for anything
You to Mr, I'd love to hear your argument against....
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Sound familiar.... Apple gets patent for adding NFC to metal displays?
NFC isn't coming. And if Apple purchased this fingerprint scanning company recently, how would they have the technology implemented and ready to go for this generation? Also realize that not every company's technology that Apple buys will makes its way into the iPhone. Couldn't fingerprint scanning technology be for Apple's own campus security, and not a product?
Apple could have easily adopted the fingerprint tech a year before purchasing the company. They did not have to wait until afterward.
The main thrust of the Anandtech article is this statement:
MacRumors Article
As I posted above, apple have a patent on a system to allow NFC in a 'display with metal enclosure', kinda sounds like an iPhone, no?
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Except for NFC purchases?
Have you read the spec for the Authentec sensor, 256 AES encryption of fingerprint and only works with 'live' fingers to protect the NFC chip, and it can detect different digits. This isn't some silly fingerprint sensor, it's a top of the range, consumer sensor with a res of 500dpi.
Plus it can be mounted behind glass!
Please, naysayers, answer with the following scenarios in mind:
- Cut away space is for a fingerprint sensor in iPhone 5
- Cut away sensor is for something else
- Cut away isn't for anything
there's no other possibility, so if you don't expect a sensor, why is the hole there?
I still don't think we'll see a fingerprint scanner. If I'm wrong, you have total permission to rub it in my face, I just don't see it happening. As for NFC, I expect it at some point, just not this year's iPhone.
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From reading about Anandtech, it looks like they have been working together for some time, well before Apple bought them out.
Its entirely plausible that we will see this sensor a week Wednesday.
Its entirely plausible that we will see this sensor a week Wednesday.
From reading about Anandtech, it looks like they have been working together for some time, well before Apple bought them out.
Its entirely plausible that we will see this sensor a week Wednesday.
Some more fuel for the NFC fire...
Apple sets tongues wagging with game controller patent
If that rear shell is indeed authentic, that rectangular cut out is for something. I can't think of anything it could be used for, so a fingerprint scanner is just as good a guess as any other. Sounds odd to me, but I can't think of anything else. I really dont believe it's for FPS. But if not, what?
If you take a look at This page from the Authentec website, you'll notice that Authentec's latest fingerprint sensor, which is being marketed as a high security companion to an NFC chip, is the same shape as the cutout, it looks exactly the same.
The sensor looks to be pretty secure and advanced too, 256bit AES encryption, 500dpi, can detect live and dead fingers...
If you hold your phone (in either your left or right hand), you'll notice that your index finger naturally rests where the cut out is too.
Maybe I'm deluded, but it just seems too obvious to me!
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And here's a large pic courtesey of NFC world:
Mouthwateringly tantalising!
NFC phones and tablets with fingerprint security protection “expected later this year”
The 'hole' you're talking about is (and these are estimates) about 25 mm wide and about 1 mm high (at best 2 mm high).
The sensor you're talking about is only 13.5 mm wide, but 3 mm tall.
The 'hole' (which you suggest could be for a fingerprint scanner) is definitely not 3 mm tall and is also definitely wider than 13.5 mm.
As much as I hope that you are correct, don't get yourself excited by features that might not show up for several years to come.
The sensor you're talking about is only 13.5 mm wide, but 3 mm tall.
The 'hole' (which you suggest could be for a fingerprint scanner) is definitely not 3 mm tall and is also definitely wider than 13.5 mm.
As much as I hope that you are correct, don't get yourself excited by features that might not show up for several years to come.
I make it around 3mm tall, but you're right, it is around 25mm wide.
So if this isn't our fancy new sensor, what could it be?
One very tenuous suggestion is that apple have a custom, wider version of the sensor. My reasoning for them going wider is based on my earlier comment of index finger placement. Placing it there would seem to be the optimal placement for it to be an 'invisible' feature, we'd always be in contact with it (both portrait & landscape). The variation of finger placement over this area is large, and the finger is angled across the 'sensor' at arbitrary angles (approx between 30-60°), so a wider sensor would allow for the phone to be held without the user needing to have any concern about touching the sensor.
*If* Apple are going for a finger sensor, *If * they want the feature to be 'invisible' & work like magic, *If authentec can create a wider sensor & *If* they've had enough time to re-design and manufacture, it's still possible...!
I told you it's tenuous!
According to Gruber in a recent post on DF there rumours of an NFC iPhone as far back as the iPhone 4. Plus they've been hiring experts for over 2 years now
http://m.techcrunch.com/2010/08/17/apple-testing-proximity-prototypes-iphone-5/
2010: https://www.macrumors.com/2010/08/15/apple-hires-near-field-communications-expert/
2011: http://iphone.appleinsider.com/articles/11/01/26/apple_seeks_rfid_payment_platform_experts_fueling_iphone_e_wallet_rumors.html
So it's not as if Apple hasn't been working on NFC for a while now. Time will tell, I for one hope we get NFC.
Edit: Sorry links aren't clickable, on my iPhone.
http://m.techcrunch.com/2010/08/17/apple-testing-proximity-prototypes-iphone-5/
2010: https://www.macrumors.com/2010/08/15/apple-hires-near-field-communications-expert/
2011: http://iphone.appleinsider.com/articles/11/01/26/apple_seeks_rfid_payment_platform_experts_fueling_iphone_e_wallet_rumors.html
So it's not as if Apple hasn't been working on NFC for a while now. Time will tell, I for one hope we get NFC.
Edit: Sorry links aren't clickable, on my iPhone.
One thing I think we can be certain of is that whatever is going to occupy that cutout is the reason for the headphone input relocation.
It's not too much of a stretch to infer that whatever is there must be important enough to displace the headphone input, which I imagine is quite a major change (as well as risking pissing off many people on MR!)
Something's gotta fill that hole, why would apple cut out a precise shape like that, which presumably will be covered by glass, unless they need something to 'see through' the back...
It's not too much of a stretch to infer that whatever is there must be important enough to displace the headphone input, which I imagine is quite a major change (as well as risking pissing off many people on MR!)
Something's gotta fill that hole, why would apple cut out a precise shape like that, which presumably will be covered by glass, unless they need something to 'see through' the back...