Sonny Dickson is fairly popular as he is the guy who showed us various components of the upcoming iPhone lineup and iPad. A few days back, Dickson leaked a number of images of the alleged iPhone 5S home button connected to a fingerprint scanner. Before we get to details about what he does, let’s just focus on the fact. Phillip Smith, a biometric expert and former CFO of UPEK Inc., says that the leaked part is real.
It means we should expect a biometric fingerprint scanning technology in the upcoming iPhone 5S. The fingerprint scanner could be used to make cashless payments using iPhone or just unlock the device.
Mr. Smith states,
This is real. The silicon sensor is the teeny blob in the light colored disk. The black square connected to it is the co-processor that goes with the fingerprint sensor to process the fingerprint data pulled it, comparing it to the data stored that will identify you as the authorized user, thereby unlocking (or denying if it is not you). It also provides the access security separate from the main phone processor, reducing the ability for it to be hacked.
Earlier this week, Sonny Dickson spoke to Reuters about all the leaks. Dickson is a teenager living in Australia with his parents. According to Dickson, he has five to ten sources inside China who buy Apple prototype parts directly from factory-line workers for $250 to $500 per part. The sources then send him videos and high-resolution images of the parts, which are posted on his site and his YouTube channel. He says he knows what’s real and what’s not.
“I’ve been doing this for many years, so I know what looks fake and what’s not,” said Dickson. “I trust what they say to me – but I also back up the story with other people to make sure what I’m posting is legit.”
Apple’s event is just around the corner where the Cupertino giant is expected to unveil the next generation iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C. We’ll keep our eyes on the news to see if anything pops up.
Source: Reuters via PhoneArena
Have a look at our handy guides on the difference between the iPhone 5 and 5S, and the difference between the iPhone 5C and 5S.
Filed Under: Apple, Apple iPhone