New iPhone 'has fingerprint sensor'

A string of code from iOS 7 revealing 'a fingerprint that changes colour during the setup process' was posted online yesterday, sparking rumours that the new iPhone could contain a fingerprint sensor. 

If the rumours are true, the latest iPhone will be the first Apple product to feature such a sensor, which could be used for unlocking the homescreen or confirming identity for payment from the App Store or other outlets. Any sensor would likely be embedded into the physical home button. 

Earlier this year it was reported that a supply chain source in Taiwan said Apple had been forced to delay production of the next iPhone due to failure to find a coating material that did not interfere with the fingerprint sensor. 

Fingerprint sensors have not been widely utilised across smartphones in the past. Motorola released the Atrix 4G in 2011 which featured a biometric fingerprint sensor it claimed offered a level of security surpassing password or PIN locks. Customers reported mixed levels of success with the scanner, with many saying the sensor failed to recognise their fingerprint. Other digital security systems include the Samsung Galaxy S3's Face Unlock feature, also available on Google's Nexus 4, and in the future it's likely phones will unlock upon recognition of its owner's voice. 

Last year Apple purchased mobile and network security company AuthenTec for $356m, which produces hardware including fingerprint sensors, fuelling further speculation about the sensor's introduction into future Apple products. 

The latest iPhone is expected to be released in September, though it is still unknown whether it will be known as the iPhone 5S or iPhone 6. Apple is also believed to be near to announcing the release of a 'budget' iPhone designed to target the emerging smartphone markets in China and India. The model is likely to feature a plastic interface instead of aluminium, and could retail for as little as $99. 

Other rumoured features of the next model include an A7 processor, heightened Siri voice recognition facilities and an improved camera system. 

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BlackBerry Z10 Porsche edition pictures leak

Richard Goodwin

Porsche might be designing a new BlackBerry 10-powered handset, according to reports – one that will follow on from the rare BlackBerry P’9981. 

A series of leaked images have popped up online showcasing what’s claimed to be the backpanel of a Porsche-designed BlackBerry 10 handset. Unfortunately, the images in question are hazier than a night on the town with Lindsey Lohan, so there’s not much to go on here. 

‘Based off of the information,’ reports CrackBerry, ‘it seems as though this device might be a rebranded BlackBerry Z10, much like how the P'9981 was a rebranded BlackBerry Bold 9900.’ 

BlackBerry is reportedly putting the final touches to its upcoming BlackBerry A10 handset – the biggest and most powerful smartphone it has produced to date. Sources claim that handset will launch in November, although BlackBerry has yet to even officially acknowledge its existence. 

With regards to the BlackBerry Z10 Porsche Edition, again, nothing is known officially about this handset – no launch date, no specs, and no release date. But if it is based on the BlackBerry Z10, it stands to reason that it’ll likely have the same specs just contained inside a Porsche-designed chassis. 

Aside from Porsche designed handsets and the BlackBerry A10, the next big thing on BlackBerry’s 2013 agenda is the release of BlackBerry 10.2 – the update that’ll see Android Jelly Bean applications supported, among other things. 

Also, the company’s BBM service is scheduled to hit Android and iOS in the coming months. BlackBerry has yet to issue a concrete release schedule, however, with the official line being ‘it’s coming this summer’.

Looks like BlackBerry fans have quite a bit to look forward to between now and the close of 2013.

More news as we get it.   

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iPhone 6 and 5S fingerprint sensor leaked in iOS 7 beta 4

Clare Hopping

 The iPhone 6 and iPhone 5S will both include fingerprint sensor technology, according to one investigator.

It has been revealed that iOS 7 beta 4 includes the BiometricKitUI code bundle and includes strings on how to use a fingerprint sensor on an iPhone, says Christian Post.

The strings 'show a photo of a person holding an iPhone with their left hand while touching the home button with their thumb, a photo of a person holding an iPhone with their right hand while touching the Home button with their thumb and a fingerprint that changes color during the set up process,' said the website.au

The rumour that the iPhone 6 and iPhone 5S will feature fingerprint recognition technology is not a new one.

A month ago, a patent filing showed fingerprint scanner on the next iPhone's bezel.

‘By encasing both the bezel and the sensor die in the encapsulation structure, the elements may be brought closer together than otherwise possible. In addition, the encapsulation structure physically protects the bezel and sensor die, and in particular maintains the spacing there between in a fashion that isn't possible by currently known device designs,’ reports Patently Apple.

Before that, Apple revealed a job posting for a software engineer in Melbourne, Florida, an area where both recent Apple acquisition AuthenTec is based and Apple has a design centre. Authentec was acquired by Apple in 2012 and is known for its fingerprint security work.

The iPhone 5S, iPhone 6, iPhone Light and newly rumoured iPhone 5C are due to be launched in the next six months, although which of these devices turn out to be real and which are purely speculation remains to be seen. /knowyourmobile