Apple Watch patent points to Touch ID but dont get your hopes up

Date:
Thu, 07 Jul 2022 09:34:33 +0000

Description:
An Apple patent details a fingerprint sensor in an Apple Watch, and it's not the first time we've seen it proposed.

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Upcoming Apple Watch models such as the Apple Watch 8 and the rumored Apple Watch 8 Rugged Edition could have bigger screens, body temperature sensors
and more, but one thing were not currently expecting is a fingerprint sensor. However, theres some evidence to suggest future models might include this feature.

Patently Apple has spotted that Apple was recently granted a patent for such a sensor. Specifically, the patent details a Touch ID fingerprint sensor
built into the side button of the Apple Watch.

This button is currently used for among other things Apple Pay, so building a fingerprint sensor into it could make sense, as it could securely and seamlessly verify your identity without adding any extra steps to the Apple Pay process. (Image credit: Patently Apple / USPTO)

The patent highlights all the typical fingerprint sensor applications as possible use cases, including unlocking a device, identifying the user, and authorizing transactions or the downloading of apps.

This seems an obvious feature to add, and one that would be a lot slicker to use than a passcode for securing your Apple Watch; however, we wouldnt count on seeing it soon if at all. Analysis: dont count on seeing this

A fingerprint sensor would be a handy Apple Watch addition, and probably a
lot more viable to add than Face ID, but wed be surprised if we see one soon.

For one thing, Apple files an enormous number of patents, and many never come to anything. Indeed, this isnt the first one weve seen relating to Apple
Watch fingerprint sensors we reported on similar patents back in 2020 and 2019 .

You could argue that having filed numerous patents related to this feature
its something Apple might be seriously looking into, but its also seemingly something the company is in no hurry to implement.

So, given that weve not heard any talk of a fingerprint sensor coming to the Apple Watch 8 we almost certainly wont see one this year; and with patents dating back to at least 2019, yet still no sign of the tech, wed be surprised if the Apple Watch 9 had one either.

Maybe the Apple Watch 10 will finally get the feature, but dont count on a fingerprint-sensing wearable making it onto our list of the best Apple
Watches anytime soon.



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/news/apple-watch-patent-points-to-touch-id-but-dont- get-your-hopes-up/


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