Would having a fingerprint sensor convince you to buy the newest Apple device?
KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says that Apple will include Touch ID, its proprietary fingerprint recognition technology, on all upcoming non-iPod Apple devices, including the iPhone 6, iPad Air 2 and iPad Mini 3.
Kuo, who is well known in the industry for having practically 100% accurate predictions about Apple's newest releases, sent clients a new research note that was obtained by MacRumors Tuesday. The note confirms Kuo's last month report that the iPhone 6 will feature Touch ID, which will help bring in massive sales for Apple's latest flagship product.
"Apple's Touch ID module should see shipments soar 233% in 2014," says Kuo in his report. "We believe every new iOS device launched this year will be equipped with Touch ID, including 4.7" and 5.5" new iPhone 6, iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 2 with Retina display. Considering shipments of new products and iPhone 5S sales last longer than in 2013, we forecast unit sales of the fingerprint sensor module to grow 233% to 120mn for 2014."
Kuo also notes that Apple will be using tin applied using Japan Unix's laser welding equipment in place of other chemicals used in the iPhone 5's Touch ID module to increase durability. The iPhone maker has also partnered with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) and its subsidiary XinTec to produce the fingerprint sensors, Kuo says.
In January, TSMC was reportedly getting ready to begin production of Touch ID fingerprint sensors sometime in the second quarter of 2014 using a new 12-inch fab processing method. Earlier this month, an Asian website reported that TSMC has provided the first batch of Touch ID modules for the iPhone 6, iPad Air 2 and iPad Mini 3.
Kuo's latest report comes just one month after a code for an unannounced iPad implementation of Touch ID was discovered. Apple's biometric security feature is currently only available in the iPhone 5.
Along with Touch ID, Kuo also mentioned that the iPhone 6 will be using NFC (Near Field Communications), which lets it communicate with another device within a short distance of itself. With Touch ID and a newer, more energy-efficient version of NFC in place, Apple is in a great position to introduce a secure mobile payments system that allows you to make purchases simply by tapping your phone on an NFC terminal with your finger resting on the Touch ID module.
Other companies such as Google, with its Google Wallet, and startup Isis, which is currently supported by mobile carriers such as Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile, have implemented their own electronic mobile payment solutions. However, if Kuo is right, and he usually is, and Apple incorporates Touch ID and NFC into the iPhone 6, this would be the first time we will be able to make mobile payments with nothing but a single tap.
