Apple’s let slip another patent document, hinting that biometric security could be on its way to the iPhone and MacBook. Don’t be mistaken though, Apple won’t be sullying its slick lines with extra sensors. Instead it wants to build in biometrics to existing keys and touchscreens.
In its diagrams, unearthed by AppleInsider, the Mac-maker shows how fingerprint scanners could be hidden beneath the keyboard and trackpad of existing MacBooks, or under the screen of the iPhone.
There’s even mention of the iPhone sensing the shape of its owner’s ear before allowing a call to be heard, or Macs using their built in webcams to power facial recognition software.
Of course, all this could be experimental and not intended to turn up in final products. It does seem to relate to recent hardware though. The iPhones featured in Apple’s diagrams include third party apps and even the voice recorder included in iPhone OS 3.0. Will biometrics be in the new iPhone? We’ll keep you posted.
TBC | £TBC | Apple
