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Touch ID built into iPhone display one step closer as third-party company announces new tech

The possibility of Apple embedding the Home button into the display of a future iPhone model got a step closer today as a third-party company announced technology that allows fingerprints to be read through Gorilla Glass.

TNW reports that Sonavation has developed ultrasonic fingerprint sensors capable of 3D scanning from beneath the Gorilla Glass Apple uses for its iPhone displays.

Though details on how it will work are sparse, Sonovation says its sensors are “capable of capturing fingerprint data into the ridges and valleys.” It also says 3D scanning can take place if a finger is wet, dirty or oily — all without compromising accuracy.

There’s nothing to suggest any link between Apple and Sonavation – this is merely an indication that the type of technology required to replace a physical Home button with an embedded one is already out there. A sketchy report last month suggested that Apple is working on this type of technology.

Don’t look for this in the iPhone 6S, though. While a recent leak confirmed our report that the new iPhone would get Force Touch, it also revealed that the external appearance of the phone will be almost identical to the iPhone 6.

Concept image: Martin Hajek for Computer Bild

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Comments

  1. Ilko Sarafski - 9 years ago

    We’ll have to wait at least few more years to see that. If Apple doesn’t work on it for some years now and it’s not already at the final of it. But maybe they are planning it for the iPhone 8 (won’t happen in the 7 for sure) since they do physical changes to the iPhone on the “number” cycle. So we’ll see! :)

    • couldnt agree more with you, it’s too late for iPhone 7 development and won’t make it on time, so it won’t make it for the iPhone 7S neither, so i dont think we will see something like this until iPhone 8

    • Totally agree with this. The problem is though that upon hearing these rumors people will expect Apple to deliver this technology with the iPhone 7 or 7S only to get gravely disappointed when that doesn’t happen. These technologies take time to come to a level where they can be mass produced so I wouldn’t hold my breath on seeing this for yet a couple of years.

      • acslater017 - 9 years ago

        It takes time but sometimes it can happen faster than you think. I believe TouchID and Siri took about 18 months. It’s entirely possible that Apple has developed a similar tech independently. Or they have a version of the iPhone 7 hardware ready to go in case the tech becomes ready for prime time. I would love an iPhone 6 Plus sized display with a shorter footprint.

    • BigBasti  (@bigbasti) - 9 years ago

      Well, the TouchID came with the iPhone 5S – so why not build this new tech inside the 7s – the design of the shell would still be the same – only the display sould change :)

      • charilaosmulder - 9 years ago

        The reason to put the fingerprint sensor in the display is to eliminate the bottom bezel (and also the top bezel, whose size is defined by the size of the bottom bezel). This way, the whole front would be a display, and the user would be able to handle the 4.7″ display with one hand without the need for Reachability. This implies a major redesign, which can’t be the 7s.

        Problem is though, Reachability requires a physical Touch ID button, with metal surrounding (which sensors the double-tap). This isn’t possible with an on-screen fingerprint sensor, so those who use a 5.5″ iPhone will need a new way to use their phone single handedly.

      • Greg Kaplan (@kaplag) - 9 years ago

        Charilaosmulder,

        Problem is though, Reachability requires a physical Touch ID button, with metal surrounding (which sensors the double-tap). This isn’t possible with an on-screen fingerprint sensor, so those who use a 5.5″ iPhone will need a new way to use their phone single handedly.

        I don’t think it would be a problem for a force touch screen. It would be the exact same interaction since screens are already capacitive. Double light tap on home area of the screen for reachability and force click to activate home.

    • o0smoothies0o - 9 years ago

      Actually, it’s very possible Apple’s plan for the iPhone 7 is the removal of the physical home button, building it into the screen. The number one reason to suspect this is the implementation of Force Touch, one of two things absolutely necessary to build it into the display. The other of course, is Touch ID, but this article is just an article describing some third party tech, no one knows what Apple is going to be using to implement Touch ID into the display. They could very well be on track for the iPhone 7. You can look at a lot of Apple’s moves and see the foreshadowing. Touch ID in the 5S was for Apple Pay in the 6. Swiping from the sides of the screen for back/forward was planned with the curved edges of the iPhone 6 in mind. Force Touch is obviously planned for the inevitable removal of the physical home button, whether it happens next year or further in the future.

      If it doesn’t happen next year, I don’t think the design of the phone will change much at all, as there’s really no where to go with the design, aside from removing the home button and reducing the bezels massively.

  2. bloodymerzkizzoid - 9 years ago

    Do it Apple!

  3. jkruehne - 9 years ago

    Not sure about this rendering (Illustration) – if it would be underneath the glass wouldn’t need this button style? instead “Fingerprint icon” … (just Lorem ipsum around;-)

    • Greg Kaplan (@kaplag) - 9 years ago

      Yes, it’s a stupid concept for multiple reasons. That’s one of them.

      For unlocking it could be “touch anywhere to unlock” and for payments you’d just put your finger where the fingerprint icon is in those modal payment windows.

  4. matthewr1990 - 9 years ago

    I see a new issue, gorilla glass scratches, the crystal glass on the current Touch ID doesn’t, how do they combat this?

    • real gorilla glass does not scratch. The original galaxy had real gorilla glass and I saw one that had been run over multiple times in an intersection and it wasn’t even scratched but the lcd and everything else was crushed…. So… youre incorrect

  5. Toro Volt (@torovolt) - 9 years ago

    The company behind this technology is called SONAVATION not sonOvation. Please correct.

  6. bunim1 - 9 years ago

    iPhone 7 will have it. They shouldn’t need more than a year

  7. Thinking ahead, what Apple needs to add is a front-facing camera behind the glass as well. Is that possible? Any tech companies out there exploring this? I bet if Apple is thinking about this we will see it first on the Apple Watch because of space constrains on the screen as it is. Also, expect Touch ID on the Apple Watch if this technology finds its way on the iPhone.

    • Greg Kaplan (@kaplag) - 9 years ago

      Apple already has patents for it. Talks about making the pixels black in front of the camera only when camera software is activated.

  8. Toro Volt (@torovolt) - 9 years ago

    Some iPhone 6S rumors are about an enhanced fingerprint reader. Perhaps this is it, Ultrasonic instead of the current Optical.
    It won’t be as the illustration suggest though, the bottom bezel will still be there but just a better more secure biometric sensor and the physical button might be gone replaced by force-touch.
    Qualcomm acquired another company that does this too so they can integrated more securely with their chips, plus Android M has now native support for Biometric Authentication.
    It is expected that new generation of Android Phones will have fingerprint ultrasonic readers during the second half of this year.

  9. taoprophet420 - 9 years ago

    Apple also has a patent to inbed it in the Apple logo on the back of devicesand front of devices like iMacs. Think I would prefer it on the back and have the logo also serve some of the functions the home button does now.

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Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Ben Lovejoy

Ben Lovejoy is a British technology writer and EU Editor for 9to5Mac. He’s known for his op-eds and diary pieces, exploring his experience of Apple products over time, for a more rounded review. He also writes fiction, with two technothriller novels, a couple of SF shorts and a rom-com!


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