For the past few weeks, each new day has spawned a bunch of reports pertaining to the Apple iPhone 6. But while, for the most part, the revelations seem to add very little value to the overall picture, today’s reports out of Asia suggest that the production wheels are very much in motion. Further to the report originating in China that Pegatron had received a bundle of iPhone 6 orders, it has now emerged that the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) has prepped the initial lot of Touch ID fingerprint sensors for the next Apple handset, along with the iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 3.
Touch ID has, bar an initial security scare in those early stages, been a marked success, with most iPhone 5s users reporting positive reviews on the cool new feature. Naturally, it’s expected that Apple’s tablet range will also reap the benefits of the fingerprint-sensing tech later on this year when they receive their respective hardware upgrades, and according to a supply website, TSMC has already assembled the first bundle.
The jury is, of course, still out on whether tablets actually require a fingerprint sensor at all. After all, the primary purpose — for seamless unlocking — is not so critical on a tablet where time isn’t as much of the essence. However, it seems a matter of natural progression that both the iPad mini 3 and iPad Air 2 (or iPad 6, if you like), should see Touch ID, and with TSMC putting in the groundwork, those disappointed by Apple’s decision to overlook the flagship slabs for some Touch ID loving back in 2013 will finally have their way.
The primary reason for Apple getting the Touch ID components ready so early in the day — the iPhone 6 and new iPads aren’t expected until September / October, after all — is to avoid being stung with yield issues as was the case with the iPhone 5s. It’s more than likely that, with the iPhone 6 in particular, consumers will want to jump on the bandwagon as quickly as possible, and so to prevent folks from having to wait for a month after those initial numbers have sold, it’s critical that Touch ID supplies are stocked up way in advance.
(source: MacRumors)
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