authentec

Next iPhone, iPad Mini said to face delays over new tech

The next major versions of two of Apple's key products are said to face delays as the company scrambles to add new security and display technologies.

In a note to investors this morning, summarized over at Apple Insider, KGI Securities analyst Ming-chi Kuo said the next iPhone is being held up by Apple's desire to include finger-scanning technology.

"Apple has to work out how to prevent interference from the black-and-white coating material under the cover glass," Kuo wrote.

Presumably that technology -- which could authenticate a user's identity without a passcode or passwords -- would … Read more

Apple wants fingerprint sensors in its products

The next big Apple feature could be a 2D fingerprint scanner.

Back in July, Apple licensed technology from AuthenTec to commercialize 2D fingerprint sensors for use in or with Apple products, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission made yesterday. Apple has already said it has agreed to buy the security technology provider for $356 million, though the deal still needs shareholder approval.

The news was first reported by The Next Web.

Apple has a history of acquiring companies for their unique technology. Siri, for instance, was acquired and not developed internally.

CNET contacted Apple for further … Read more

For iOS developers, enterprise is the place to be

I normally loathe writing about the corporate world, but seeing as this is a column focused on the business of apps, I figured I would make an exception.

While it's great to talk about the latest mobile game or local search app, the real money may be made in the enterprise arena. That's particularly the case with Apple and iOS.

With Research In Motion and its BlackBerry line reeling, there's a wide opening for another smartphone operating system to take over as the de facto corporate standard. Several Android players have attempted to fill that gap, notably … Read more

Fujitsu's waterproof, fingerprint-scanning phone

For your next spy mission, consider the F-01A phone from Fujitsu.

It's a sleek-looking phone with some serious, sophisticated technological and rugged credentials. It's submersible--it will still work if dunked in 3 feet of water for up to 30 minutes--and also functions as a fingerprint-scanning device.

The phone uses AuthenTec's TouchStone technology, which is a fingerprint scanner that is utilized to navigate the device's controls, and TrueFinger, which is security software from AuthenTec, which matches fingerprint patterns. It's the first phone to use the software/hardware combination, according to AuthenTec.

The F-01A also functions as … Read more