Apple might get rid of Touch ID for ‘iPhone 8’

The next-generation Apple iPhone might be getting rid of a key feature: Touch ID sensor. GSMArena shows leaks of what is supposedly a complete iPhone 8 display assembly. It can’t be said from the image if this will be an OLED display or if it will have an edge-to-edge design but it does check out on some other rumours about the device. The two new circular cutouts at the upper left side of the phone are said to be for the iris scanner. The bigger circular cutout on the right is also for the scanner, while the smaller hole one the right is for the FaceTime camera.

The Touch ID sensor, though, isn't visible on the panel. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says Apple is ditching the embedded sensor completely. And Apple is said to be using the iris scanner in its place. Some other rumours have previously said that Apple was considering putting Touch ID underneath the glass, among other methods to retain the sensor. But as, Apple Insider reports, a recent HomePod firmware update seems to back Kuo's claims. There are lines of code linked to the phone's “FaceDetect” software, which is referred to as “Pearl ID” in the update. It shows tie-ins with Apple Pay authentication. If there is some veracity to these rumours, we can't say yet what biometric security Apple plans to use for the next iPhone and how secure that will be. With the new device tipped to come out next month, we might not have to wait too long.

Apple is reportedly working on a ‘non-iPhone Apple Watch’

A new Apple Watch might be popping up on our horizon and it’ll have one big advantage over its predecessors: it won’t need an iPhone to work. Bloomberg reports that Apple is reportedly working on a version of its smartwatch that will connect to LTE mobile networks. They have supposedly started talking to providers in the US and Europe to launch this device later this year. And Intel will supposedly be supplying the LTE modems for the new Apple Watch.

If there is some truth to the report, this will help boost Apple’s recent focus on the fitness benefits/credentials of the Apple Watch. Being able to untether the Apple Watch from the iPhone can bring with it the capabilities to let users bring songs with them to listen to when they’re running or are at the gym. Direct connection might even let them reply to messages and calls right from the wearable device. One of the biggest concerns will be battery life, though. With the iPhone augmenting some of the computational strain on the Apple Watch, making the wearable a standalone device would need a better battery.

LG rumoured to be sole battery supplier for ‘iPhone 9’

Sure we’re still waiting for the ‘iPhone 8’ to come out but the rumour mill doesn’t stop. And this time we’re talking about the battery supplier of the next iPhone, which we shall just call iPhone 9 for continuity. A new report by Korea Economic Daily cites an unnamed source that says Apple has picked LG Chem as its exclusive battery supplier for the iPhone 9, which is expected to come out in the second half of 2018. LG Chem has supposedly invested “hundreds of billions” of won to have dedicated battery manufacturing facilities that’ll be up and running for full-scale product early next year.

The report claims the iPhone 9 will have a “bent” battery module or one that’s extended to one side at the bottom and form an “L” shape. This type of battery doesn’t just maximize space but is also meant to improve charging speeds and battery life. Apple has been using the standard rectangular “jelly roll” lithium-ion batteries for its iPhones since the beginning. Again these are all just rumours and it’s definitely a long way away before we hear anything official.

Source: Apple Insider

Apple leak shows a completely new look for ‘iPhone 8’

We’ve see different leaks about Apple’s upcoming ‘iPhone 8,’ the device which marks 10^th anniversary of Apple’s smartphone, and a new one shows a much more detailed look at its almost bezel-less design. This time, Steve Hemmerstoffer a.k.a. @onleaks is adding to the conversation. The dummy models shows an elongated 18.5:9 aspect ratio, similar to the Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+, and bezels just 4mm thick (or thin) on all sides. The top of the device houses the front-facing camera and sensors.

Click to read more ...