“Force TouchID” Coming To iPhone 7 - AGAIN?

The iPhone 7 release date is fast approaching and NOW an old rumour has surfaced concerning “Force TouchID”

The iPhone 7 rumours have been flying in thick and fast for the best part of 12 months now. Some have stuck and taken shape, other’s have withered under closer scrutiny. But one rumour that simply will not die, besides the removal of 3.5mm headphone jack, is the implementation of a “Force TouchID”.

Apple plans to ditch traditional Touch ID home button designs in favour of a solid-state capacitive component, reports Business Insider. A solid-state capacitive component basically means Apple’s Home key will no longer be pressible; rather, it will utilise Apple’s proprietary 3D Touch technology in order to perform all the functionality, including TouchID payments, via the Home key.

“It is unclear how Apple expects to integrate a capacitive home button into its hardware lineup,”notes Apple Insider, “though it can be speculated that a final product might use iPhone's Taptic Engine haptic feedback system to mimic the feel of pressing a mechanical actuator. In addition to existing technology, the company is investigating a type of solid state ‘Force Touch ID’ module capable of sensing finger pressure while at the same time offering fingerprint authentication services.”

Where things get a tad dicey is that production of Apple’s iPhone 7 is now well underway ahead of a release date inside late-Q3, early-Q4. And this means that it is rather unlikely Apple will change anything now — unless all this has somehow managed to escape under the radar.

It could also be leaked technology for next year’s iPhone release, which is tipped to be a HUGE update compared to the upcoming iPhone 7 which is said to be an incremental updated based on the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6s form factor. 2017’s iPhone, however, will feature new display technology, a new design and, most likely, a new Home key — one that leverages Apple’s 3D Touch technology.

The Home key on iPhone is perhaps one of the most pressed things on the face of the planet. Changing it dramatically, as this leak suggests, would almost certainly cause ripples amongst Apple’s loyal fan base, so it will definitely be interesting to see how Apple introduces any changes to this aspect of the iPhone.