14 DAY TRIAL // The rumored fingerprint-sensing technology in Apple’s upcoming iPhone 5S has been confirmed, with the Cupertino giant planning to unveil the new phone later today during a special event.
The Wall Street Journal has learned from people familiar with the iPhone refresh that “Apple will include a fingerprint scanner on the more expensive of two iPhones it is expected to unveil Tuesday at an event at its Cupertino, Calif., headquarters.”
The more expensive version is, of course, the iPhone 5S. Apple in July purchased a company that specialized in fingerprint sensors. Named AuthenTec, the firm gave birth to the biometric hardware now found on the iPhone 5S.
The Journal says that fingerprint scanners never gained much traction in portable devices, but all that will change with the arrival of the iPhone 5S, thanks to Apple’s approach.
The hardware is touted as being extremely reliable and easy to use, key aspects in winning over the user base.
“Because of Apple's influence, other companies are likely to follow,” the paper adds.
One thing Apple won’t upgrade in the new iPhone is the screen size, despite pressure from competitors and customers alike.
In fact, the company has prepared not one, but two new iPhones for unveiling, both of which reportedly have 4-inch Retina displays, just like the iPhone 5. The other new phone is dubbed iPhone 5C and reportedly comes with a smaller price.
Only next year will Apple increase the screen size of its flagship product, a claim made by the same Wall Street Journal in a report from last week, citing the usual suspects.
People aren’t holding their collective breath for any breakthrough unveilings today, though Apple may surprise us with an iWatch announcement.
The event is scheduled to go live at 10:00 AM Pacific Time at Apple's Town Hall building in Cupertino, California.