Apple on Monday released iOS 7 beta 4 to developers, with the new iOS version apparently confirming one particular rumored feature for the next-gen iPhone: fingerprint-reading support.
Whether posted intentionally to create buzz around the upcoming iOS handset or by mistake, a folder named “BiomatciKitUI
” has made its way into the fourth beta version of iOS 7, revealing such fingerprint-reading features.
While rumored for quite a while as a unique feature for this year’s new iPhone, fingerprint-reading has not been confirmed – at least indirectly – by Apple when unveiling iOS 7 at WWDC 2013 back in June.
The previous iOS 7 beta releases did not include references to a fingerprint sensor and corresponding functionality, but it looks like this folder has some interesting things to share. Here’s the bit of text that’s quite revealing, as posted by a developer that first found it:
“bplist00_”enroll.tutor.image.label.left.hand_fingerprint.image_#enroll.tutor.image.label.right.hand_fingerprint.status_
Photo of a person holding an iPhone with their left hand while touching the Home button with their thumb_;
A fingerprint that changes colour during the setup process._
iPhoto of a person holding an iPhone with their right hand while touching the Home button with their thumb_Recognition is”
Apparently this is the description of the fingerprint-reading technology that will be used to unlock the handset, as read to an user by the iPhone with the VoiceOver feature activated.
Furthermore, 9to5 Mac
reports that the user interface for such a feature has been completed, and the fingerprint sensor will be used to unlock the phone. Other uses for the technology are not clear at this time.
We will remind you that various reports have detailed existing Apple patents related to fingerprint-reading sensors in mobile devices, while certain rumors said that the iPhone 5S production may be delayed because of certain issues with fingerprint-reading sensors.
Moreover, Apple has purchased AuthenTec, a fingerprint sensor developer company, and it’s expected to put that technology to good use in future devices.
In addition to the folder that details fingerprint-reading capabilities for iOS 7, there are other changes in iOS 7 beta 4. Here are some of the most important ones, as described by MacRumors
and 9to5 Mac:The lockscreen has been redesigned to make it clearer to the user how to unlock it. The “slide to unlock” text now has a shifting highlight color and an arrow, while the Notification Center replaces the arrow with a “line shape.”The Notification Center contains a notification for completed uploads, and users can navigate sections by swiping left and right.The Phone app has been apparently modified to “take up less of the phone’s screen,” while the “other actions” buttons – including setting up a reminder or sending a message – have been updated to show less text than before.In the Messages app, the first name and last initial for a contact are used instead of full names.Siri has received an update as well, and it now includes a bunch of suggestions for question types.The Search app which can be accessed by swiping down on the screen comes with a “Cancel” option to dismiss it. A search function is also available in Reminders.Certain app icons for Apple apps have been updated including Mail and Safari, while the Camera app comes with a new HDR button placement. The Folders’ fade animation has been updated to work properly.The Mail application is now faster at deleting emails by swiping, as it has received a “smoother delete animation,” while Safari has new button designs for Bookmarks, Shared Links and Reading List.New icons are available for AirPlay as well, and AirDrop gets sound alerts.iOS 7 will now let users automatically set up an Apple TV by using an iOS device connected to the Apple TV via Bluetooth.iPad multitasking now supports unlimited apps in iOS 7 beta 4, while previous betas only allowed up to 10 apps to be open simultaneously.
iOS 7 is expected to be launched later this year alongside new iPhone models.
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