167,255 viewsDec 2, 2018, 07:30pm

Apple Leak Reveals Radical New iPhone Design

Gordon KellySenior Contributor

Consumer TechI write about technology's biggest companies

Multiple reports are convinced Apple AAPL -0.53%’s iPhone XS (details), iPhone XS Max (details) and iPhone XR (details) are in serious troublewith the incremental nature of their upgrades failing to excite buyers. Having tried price cuts, a new discovery suggests Apple’s next move is to bring back a much-loved feature to reignite customer interest…  

No, not the headphone jack - the other one. Ever-reliable blog Patently Apple writes that supply chain insiders have revealed Apple is seriously considering bringing back the fingerprint reader. And with a modern twist.

Apple's Face ID technology is unlikely to be the only biometric technology on new iPhonesAPPLE

The modern twist is the use of in-display fingerprint reader technology and Patently Apple notes that Apple is currently evaluating biometric sensor suppliers O-film, General Interface Solution and TPK Holding. Interestingly, this is said to be for next year’s iPads first but used as a trial ahead of introducing it in new iPhones.

Why iPads first? Apple is looking for a solution to reduce the bezel size and eliminate the home button on the iPad and iPad Mini ranges but avoid the cost of adding Face ID. An in-display fingerprint reader fulfils this job perfectly. It also gives Apple a lower risk product line to vet the technology before adding it into the premium iPhone and iPad Pro ranges.

And there’s a further twist.

Patently Apple says O-film, GIS and TPK Holding are also the suppliers for Samsung’s cutting-edge ‘ultrasonic’ in-display reader which will be used in the Galaxy S10. Ultrasonic readers are said to be as quick and accurate as any physical reader and even more secure. While existing in-display readers are slow, Ultrasonic tech would make for a worthy successor to Touch ID in Apple’s eyes.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

Civic Nation BRANDVOICE

The Senate Declared November National College Application Month

Grads of Life BRANDVOICE

From Tacos To Tokyo: How A Job At Taco Bell Helped Me Live My Dream

UNICEF USA BRANDVOICE

How To Maximize Your Charitable Giving Under The New Tax Law

Vivo's Nex uses a first generation in-display fingerprint reader and is on sale nowVIVO

Furthermore, this is clearly a win-win scenario. Apple gets to match the headline upgrade of its biggest rival while offering customers a genuinely useful feature. After all, no matter how good Face ID, there are undoubtedly times when it’s more convenient to unlock a device with your fingerprint. For example, when you don’t want to pick it up first.

Apple also patented its own in-display reader back in August, so the thinking has been there for some time.

Beyond this biometrics actually work best in unison. So you could look at your phone while touching the reader for dual authentication. With Apple previously revealing plans for iPhones to replace crucial documentation like passports, this would be a big step towards achieving the necessary device security to do it.

Would Apple face jibes from rivals about reversing its position? Of course, but almost every Apple rival has U-turned about the headphone jack, screen notches and more. The reality is this would be a great move which everyone can get behind…

Source
https://www.forbes.com/sites/gordonkelly/2018/12/02/apple-leak-new-iphone-xs-design-upgrade-iphone-xi-11-release-date-price-face-id-touch-id/#31c6038d23eb