The iPhone is one of the very few top-tier smartphones in the market today with a physical home button. Although there were speculations that Apple will follow Android’s way and do away with the home button to free up more screen space without drastically increasing the portability of the device, that all changed with the launch of the iPhone 5S. It came with Apple’s Touch ID fingerprint sensor embedded into the home button, effectively increasing its utility and proving that the home button was here to stay, at least for the short term.
That may soon change now with a new technology from a company called Sonavation. The company has developed ultrasonic fingerprint sensors capable of 3D scanning from beneath the Gorilla Glass that Apple uses for its iPhone displays, according to a report from TNW. Sonavation claims that its 3D scanning technology can remain accurate in all situations, even if a finger is moist, oily, or dirty. That is a prerequisite for any sensor put into a device as frequently used as a mobile phone.[blockquote type=”left”]“Though details on how it will work are sparse, Sonovation says its sensors are “capable of capturing fingerprint data into the ridges and valleys.” It also says 3D scanning can take place if a finger is wet, dirty or oily — all without compromising accuracy.”[/blockquote]
Sonavation has been researching about how to improve fingerprint scanning technology with ultrasound for some time now. They currently have 41 awarded patents and they have filed over 70 more pending for international approval integrated into a 3D scanning surface.
There are other potential barriers as well however, such as whether the technology will work with sapphire if Apple chooses to switch away from Gorilla Glass. There’s also the question of how to replace iOS commands that currently rely on a home button, though Force Touch and multi-finger gestures could provide a relatively simple solution.
Still, there’s nothing to suggest any link between Apple and Sonavation as of now. This is merely an indication that the type of technology required to replace a physical Home button with an embedded one is already out there. Apple itself is believed to be working on this technology at the moment.
Besideds, there are other potential barriers with Sonavation’s breakthough, such as whether the technology will work with sapphire if Apple chooses to switch away from Gorilla Glass. There’s also the question of how to replace iOS commands that currently rely on a home button, though Force Touch – almost definitely coming with the iPhone 6S/7 – and multi-finger gestures could provide a relatively simple solution.
