Apple has long been rumored to be adding fingerprint sensor tech to their upcoming iPhone – speculation that was further fueled by Apple’s acquisition of Authentec last July. According to new code strings discovered in iOS 7 Beta 4 by Hamza Sood, however (via 9to5Mac), Apple may introduce such a feature sooner rather than later – possibly in time for the release of iOS 7 and the next-gen iPhone.
From 9to5Mac:
iOS 7 beta 4 has leaked a new folder called “BiometricKitUI.” Based on the description, sent to us by Hamza Sood, it seems pretty clear that Apple is preparing a new iPhone with a fingerprint sensor. The interface is described above, pointing to a user being able to swipe the sensor on the iPhone’s home button.
Sood tells us that the above strings are what an iPhone with VoiceOver on would read to a user. […] According to a source familiar with the development of the new iPhone, the user-interface for the fingerprint scanning system has been complete. This person also says that the technology is focused around unlocking the phone, so it is unclear if it is built for a payment system (as rumored) in the next iPhone.
The bundle in question is hidden inside the Accessibility section of iOS 7 beta 4, and includes references to tutorial images that explain how to identify users via their fingerprints. that contains references to tutorial images explaining exactly how to identify a user by their fingerprint. Some of the revealing snippets can be found below (via MacRumors):
– Photo of a person holding an iPhone with their left hand while touching the Home button with their thumb
– Photo of a person holding an iPhone with their right hand while touching the Home button with their thumb
– A fingerprint that changes colour during the setup process.
– Recognition is %@ complete
While this doesn’t confirm that Apple’s next iPhone will contain fingerprint recognition, it does confirm that Apple is indeed working on the feature – and it’s far more of a confirmation of such a feature that we typically see. At the very least, it’s something to keep an eye on as Apple’s iPhone 5S release draws nearer,
This new evidence certainly isn’t a confirmation of such a feature being included in the next iPhone — rumored to be called the iPhone 5S — but it’s definitely more validation than we normally see regarding rumors of this magnitude.
