[guest opinion: Bruce Schneier] Some speculate that the new Apple iPhone to be announced tomorrow will come with a fingerprint authentication system. Apple would be smart to add biometric technology to the iPhone; fingerprint authentication is a good balance between …
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Over the past few months we have heard a lot of rumors that the next generation iPhone could come with a fingerprint sensor under its Home button. Back in July last year the company acquired AuthenTec, a security software and fingerprint sensor chip company. It was reported that AuthenTec’s patent portfolio was what drove Apple to acquire it, the portfolio could mean fingerprint scanners on future Apple devices. We then reported in September last year that AuthenTec was rumored to cut off all of its non-Apple customers in 2013. An SEC filing from last year revealed that Apple was looking in to 2D fingerprint sensors for use in Apple products. There obviously has been no confirmation from either Apple or AuthenTec, so take all of this with a grain of salt.
A new job opening at Apple for a Software Engineer in Melbourne, Florida hints that the new hire will become part of the team that AuthenTec already has in Florida. The position is based at Apple’s Melbourne Design Center, which is located near Florida’s Space Coast. The job requires the Software Engineer to write low-level control firmware for sensor ICs built at the Design Center. Functions of the sensor include gain control, calibration, array control and security which is geek talk for working fingerprint scanners that are expected to make their way in to future Apple devices.
By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Apple To Reveal New Mac Pro Revamp This Month, AppGratis Gets Pulled As It Violates App Store Rules, 
Google yesterday issued a statement in which they stated that they will not be killing of apps for Mac and iOS like Snapseed despite having announced their acquisition of Nik Software, the developer behind said programs/apps. Apple on the other hand does not appear to be so generous and according to Korean publication, Etnews, it seems that after acquiring fingerprint technology company AuthenTec back in July, word has it that AuthenTec will be cutting off all their non-Apple customers starting in 2013. This means that companies such as Samsung, HP, Dell, Lenovo and Fujitsu will be left out in the cold and if the reports are to be believed, AuthenTec’s customers are in a panic and are scrambling to find alternate suppliers for their fingerprint scanning needs.
No word on what Apple has planned for AuthenTec’s fingerprint scanning technology, but given a recent SEC filing has indicated that they are looking into “2D fingerprint sensors for use in or with Apple products”, it has been speculated that this might have something to do with Apple’s Passbook feature introduced in iOS 6 where fingerprint scanning could be used to help authenticate the user and prevent fraudulent use in the event that the iOS device has been lost or stolen. No official word from either company at the moment, so we’ll take it with a grain of salt for now and suggest you do the same.
By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Apple acquires AuthenTec for $365 million, AuthenTec releases SDK for fingerprint sensor applications on Android phones,
It looks like Apple will be beefing up security on its products in the future. The company has reportedly purchased AuthenTec, Inc – a security software and fingerprint sensor chip company, for $365 million. While the acquisition itself is interesting, what makes it even more remarkable is the fact that AuthenTec had signed a new deal with Samsung only 10 days earlier. Considering how Apple and Samsung are at each other’s throats over patent lawsuits I wonder if this acquisition will affect the Samsung-AuthenTec deal in a negative way.
No word on what Apple plans to do with AuthenTec’s technology, but rumors have it that AuthenTec’s patent portfolio could be the real reason behind the acquisition. Maybe we’ll see NFC in the next iPhone or fingerprint scanners on the iPad. Stay tuned for more details.
By Ubergizmo. Related articles: AuthenTec releases SDK for fingerprint sensor applications on Android phones, Apple granted stay on posting notice over Samsung’s Galaxy Tab,
Reuters is reporting that Apple has bought AuthenTec—a company which makes secure fingerprint sensors and precision touchscreen solutions—for $356 million. Either it’s gotten extremely serious about its own security, or wants to make it much harder for the competition. Or both! More »
Sure the financials announced this week weren’t as exceptional as some we’ve seen from the company, but Apple’s still clearly in a buying mood. The company’s apparently doing a little security shopping, picking up AuthenTec for $356 million, according to the mobile and network security firm. AuthenTec’s in the business of content and data protection, including things like fingerprint sensors and contactless payment. Seems Apple’s looking to get into that business too. AuthenTec’s already worked with a number of high profile hardware makers, such as Samsung, Lenovo, LG, Nokia and Motorola.
Apple buying fingerprint sensor maker AuthenTec for $356 million originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 Jul 2012 08:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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