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i dont think apple would use the technology until it is more poplar, and useful. as of now, i heard about this about 2 minutes ago from this.
 
i dont think apple would use the technology until it is more poplar, and useful. as of now, i heard about this about 2 minutes ago from this.

Neither of the flagship features of the last two iPhones (Retina - 4, Siri 4S) were deemed popular or useful before Apple released the phones.
 
I hope it's never on the iPhone!

Someone steals your phone and next thing you know they come looking for you to cut off your thumb to access your device!

It can happen.....I've seen it in movies!


:eek::p;)
 
I work in a high security building in the govt and the doors have these sensors/cameras (?) on them that can recognize your photo on our ID badges. You just line up you photo with this hole and it opens the door. So, the technology certainly exists for Apple to implement facial recognition to unlock our phones. Finger printing would be a bit much imo.
 
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:

Image

Mouthwateringly tantalising!




NFC phones and tablets with fingerprint security protection “expected later this year”

Very convincing article. Later this year is now. However, It doesn't seem to fit with the apple design to have that thing on the back. But I'll take it.
 
Very convincing article. Later this year is now. However, It doesn't seem to fit with the apple design to have that thing on the back. But I'll take it.

I expect the sensor will be mounted behind the glass, so nothing will look different. From a usability perspective, It makes more sense on the back than the front.
 
I expect the sensor will be mounted behind the glass, so nothing will look different. From a usability perspective, It makes more sense on the back than the front.

Would a fingerprint sensor mounted behind glass on the back of the iPhone function correctly if the phone owner puts a case on the iPhone?
 
Given that I love Apple, I dread to think that they might have been sat around for the past year simply wiping themselves with the money they've made instead of innovating and bringing something new to the market (ok, argue the finer points of "new" later...). If there isn't anything like NFC or a fingerprint sensor, then what have the techs been doing for the past year?

Arguably the 4S was half an upgrade. No new real hardware, nothing amazing. I can't believe Apple would let another upgrade go by without trying to amaze people again.

My money is on fingerprint sensor on the back, NFC on the front (in the screen!!!). Just imagine how you hold your phone for a call. Then placing it screen down on the PDQ at a shop, fingerprint bar lights up (ok, maybe not) and you swipe, without changing hand position at all.

Nice 25mm wide strip allows both left and right handed people to swipe without being super-accurate, and it still works.

But what about cases? The lovely smooth glass back of my phone will get damaged cos I can't used a case! Well good job they changed it for brushed alu instead!

I think this is what we'll see. They'll announce some partnership with Visa or someone (who wouldn't want to partner with the biggest company in the world?) to push this to retailers or something, and this time next year blahblah percent of high street retailers will offer this.

Good times.
 
I was thinking exactly the same as loug116, but I looked back at the Authentec proxy statement for the merger and the merger docs and it says that Apple was working on a 2D sensor--one that doesn't require "swiping". So the sensor would be a squareish rectangle rather than a slot. It also says that phone companies other than Apple were not interested in working with Authentec on its new technology because of cost, which suggests to me that there was something new/fancy (behind glass scanning? behind display scanning?) rather than the kind of reader that is already out there and has been used in the past (such as the 1D swipe type sensors). Which all leads me to think that it won't be ready for the next iPhone.

BUT--that square piece in front that dalrymple confirmed as not being NFC: Any chance that's a 2D fingerprint sensor? Facing the front near where the old FaceTime camera was, it would be a pretty convenient place for thumb use. I think someone on some board also mentioned that it could act as the proximity sensor since it's by the earpiece. And it's in that same upper left corner of the phone and so would explain why they moved the headphone, FaceTime camera, etc. I agree that whatever is occupying that upper left corner of the iPhone must be 1) new and 2) important.

If the fingerprint sensor's in the front we have to explain why there is that rectangular slot facing the glass in the back...
 
loug116, you plead a good case - I believe it's totally plausible. I'd be most interested in it from a security point of view (unlocking phone - can't stand using a pin), but if NFC payments were widely adopted in my country then that would be great.

Re someone's mention of "but what if you want to put a case on your iPhone?". I'm sure the new case designs could simply feature a small cut-out in the back.
 
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