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iPhone 5S Rumoured Again to Have Fingerprint Sensor, Plus NFC
Apple has selected the component manufacturer that will provide the touch display driver and chips to support fingerprint sensors and near field communications (NFC) for the iPhone 5S.
According to the most recent report from China Times (Via Macrumors), the iPhone 5S will be the first iPhone to use both NFC and fingerprint scanning technology, solutions provided by Taiwanese chip firm Chipbond.
Rumours of the fingerprint technology coming to the iPhone have been persistent since Apple acquired the mobile security firm Authentec last year. However, this didn’t materialize with the iPhone 5, as Apple moved to increase the display size and switched to in-cell technology instead.
When predicting Apple’s product map for 2013, KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo stated that the fingerprint sensor would be one of the key features of the iPhone 5S.
NFC was also rumoured to come to the iPhone. This was the buzzworld of the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona this year, but this doesn’t mean Apple is ready to adopt it – despite owning several patents that include the NFC keyword. The recent report is the first one stating the next generation iPhone will sport an NFC chip.
Although it owns several patents for an iWallet, Apple proceeded by launching the Passbook app first with iOS 6, an app that acts like a digital wallet for passes, coupons and loyalty cards. In its current form, the iPhone isn’t ready to act as an iWallet, the step needed for Apple’s entrance into the mobile payment market (see passcode lock security flaws).
But if the iPhone 5S fingerprint sensor rumours are true, this could add another layer of security for Apple’s iPhone, preparing the device to enter into the mobile payment market. Which makes me think that – based on the naming pattern Apple has used with S series handsets iPhone 3GS[peed], iPhone 4S[iri] – for the iPhone 5S, “S” could stand for “security”.
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Does that mean there will be technology for having a scale app that weighs diamonds or gold?
There’s an app for everything, Apple tells us.
The S doesn’t stand for anything. It’s just the 2.0 version of the phone.
I felt it was a very lame attempt at trying to make his report of another report reporting a report of a rumor seem more believable.
Seriously, WDP?
No…it was just my lame attempt, lol
😀
The “S” in the 3GS was made to believe it stood for ‘speed’ (what Jobs said on stage). Anyways, I believe Istvan was just making some subtle guesses anyways.
NFC and fingerprint sensor will not be on the iPhone 5S (if there is one). It doesn’t make sense, based on the history of S models, to implement new features that will force dramatic changes in internal/external hardware design. S models seems to be a minor upgrade from the previous. Usually a faster chip/camera upgrade/ antenna upgrade. These things won’t change the overall manufacturing process and design as they are parts that can be switched. Which in turn will lower/maintain manufacturing cost of a supposedly newer model while maximizing profits. NFC still hasn’t been widely adopted yet, which is proven by Samsung with their “copy” of wallet app, pun intended. It would seem more probable if these rumors are for the iPhone 6.
iOS needs to further iterate, the physical features will come in iPhone 6.
I would think so too.
Fingerprint sensor is possible. NFC I don’t think is worth it. Maybe for the next iPhone or the one after that. The tech just never really took off. They MAY include, just to say hey look we have NFC, it doesn’t really do anything special but it’s there.