New iPad Air's Touch ID Power Button an 'Incredible Feat of Engineering' According to Apple VP

[MacRumors]

Apple VP of Product Marketing Bob Borchers and VP of Hardware Engineering John Ternus are featured in the latest episode of YouTubers iJustine and Jenna Ezarik's Same Brain podcast where they discuss several aspects of the current iPad lineup and part of the development process that went into the latest fourth-generation iPad Air.

Speaking on the new iPad Air, Borchers says that implementing the Touch ID sensor into the top button in a much smaller form factor was "an incredible feat of engineering." Ternus explains that the narrow aspect ratio of the sensor made it quite challenging to implement. The sensor needed to be "incredibly sensitive" and would have to capture a broader view of the fingerprint in the initial enrollment process and over time.

In the cellular model of the iPad Air, Ternus notes that the top portion of the enclosure is simply the antenna, and much work was conducted to ensure that the Touch ID sensor and antenna didn't interfere with one another since both are highly sensitive instruments. He adds that much "hardcore silicon and engineering" went into ensuring that the sensor could deliver the same level of security offered by its previous iteration.

With the introduction of the Neural Engine in the iPad Air, Borchers notes that an increase in on-device processing brings more powerful capabilities to iPad and offers a greater level of privacy to users.

The current iPad Pro lineup features the A12Z Bionic processor, and notably, the new iPad Air is the first device to implement Apple's latest A14 Bionic processor. Borchers mentions that A12Z is "optimized for pro workflows and experiences, especially those that may be more graphics-intensive." Speaking on the differences between the two, he notes that the A12Z has an advantage on "things that may be more graphically intensive," while the A14 offers "all-around amazing capabilities."

Check out the full nearly 40-minute podcast for more from Borchers and Ternus.

Article Link: New iPad Air's Touch ID Power Button an 'Incredible Feat of Engineering' According to Apple VP

 

[acorntoy]

Can we now integrate it into everything else that has a power button but not Touch ID? Choice is good.

 

[827538]

It would be great if Apple developed an under display finger print reader. Would go a long way to developing a phone with nothing but screen on the front.

 

[iObama]

Haven't watched the full thing yet, so I'm interested to hear how something that every other phone manufacturer has is an "incredible feat of engineering," but we shall see! lol

Gotta say, so cool that iJustine still has such a massive following 13 years after the introduction of the original iPhone. I see a lot of sexism thrown towards her and her sister, but she absolutely kills it.

 

[OriginalMacRat]

Haven't watched the full thing yet, so I'm interested to hear how something that every other phone manufacturer has is an "incredible feat of engineering," but we shall see! lol

He only knows what his lower management has told him in order to justify their big bonuses for shipping this "incredible feat of engineering"

 

[Caliber26]

I really wanna watch but I also know the effect iJustine has on my mood, so I better not.

 

[kazmac]

Haven't watched the full thing yet, so I'm interested to hear how something that every other phone manufacturer has is an "incredible feat of engineering," but we shall see! lol

Gotta say, so cool that iJustine still has such a massive following 13 years after the introduction of the original iPhone. I see a lot of sexism thrown towards her and her sister, but she absolutely kills it.

I’ve come around to her positive reviews and goofiness. Will give this a listen.

 

[Mr. Dee]

This is probably why the iPhone 12 has been delayed. Midway through the pandemic they realized this virus isn’t going anywhere and Face ID is a huge inconvenience; not to mention health risk since you sometimes have to remove it. Also, the dial pad doesn’t appear fast enough at times.

It’s wishful thinking, but I certainly hope it does make it in as a last minute improvement. Under the screen sonar ID is just not where it needs to be yet, plus a physical Touch ID could be used for 2fa.

 

[MJaP]

Well I'm sure Apple would like to gush all over Sony who were doing this "incredible feat of engineering" on their Xperia phones (like the Z5) way back in 2015, and Samsung and other Chinese brands last year. <rolls eyes> Well as least we no longer have to put up with Jonny Ive gushing about how wonderful he is in reverent tones any more thank goodness.

 

[actcyclist]

Yeah, I thought the Three Gorges Dam and Burj Khalifa were impressive but then Apple moved the touch sensor from the front to the top of an iPad and I was blown away.

 

[dannyyankou]

They just took Touch ID and moved it from one button to another. It’s cool and everything, but they’re really overselling it lol

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Bring it to the iPhone!!!

 

[LFC2020]

They just took Touch ID and moved it from one button to another. It’s cool and everything, but they’re really overselling it lol

It’s called courage, can’t innovate anymore my ass. ?

 

[boast]

Well I'm sure Apple would like to gush all over Sony who were doing this "incredible feat of engineering" on their Xperia phones (like the Z5) way back in 2015, and Samsung and other Chinese brands last year. <rolls eyes> Well as least we no longer have to put up with Jonny Ive gushing about how wonderful he is in reverent tones any more thank goodness.

It's only 'meh engineering' if others do it first

 

[now i see it]

Get over it and bring the damn home button back. Was it really so evil?

 

[joeblow7777]

I wish it could have been incorporated into this year's iPhone, but unless every "leak" missed it, seems like it's 2021 at the earliest.

 

[Pakaku]

It would be great if Apple developed an under display finger print reader. Would go a long way to developing a phone with nothing but screen on the front.

I'd say now that they've moved it to the power button, putting it behind the screen isn't really necessary anymore as long as you can still reach the button with one hand. It would be a cool tech feature, though.

 

[JPack]

I think he meant Marketing.

Remember, we first saw this technology from Sony back in 2016. Today, the same technology can be found in Xiaomi phones under $300.

 

[BF1M]

I wouldn’t mind having both on a future iPhone. Two step.

 

[mlody]

I like FaceID but I really would like to have touchID in the power button. FaceId when we are forced to wear masks is a pita to use!

 

[jmh600cbr]

Given the pandemic and mask wearing I think anything but faceid is needed. I can’t use Apple Pay in public and unlocking my phone almost exclusively with a passcode seems ancient. Give us touchID in the iPhone 12 power button.

 

[kazmac]

It was interesting to hear about the Air’s ID sensor and the antenna.

Will try to wait on sales for the Air...Try.

 

[cmaier]

Haven't watched the full thing yet, so I'm interested to hear how something that every other phone manufacturer has is an "incredible feat of engineering," but we shall see! lol

Word on the street is that the difference is that apple’s actually provides a reasonable level of security.

 

[David1964]

Given the pandemic and mask wearing I think anything but faceid is needed. I can’t use Apple Pay in public and unlocking my phone almost exclusively with a passcode seems ancient. Give us touchID in the iPhone 12 power button.

Touch ID is also useless when wearing gloves 🧤 There are pros and cons to both technologies.Neither is perfect.

 

[macsrcool1234]

then lets add it to everything else so we don't have to deal with junky faceid anymore
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Touch ID is also useless when wearing gloves ? There are pros and cons to both technologies.Neither is perfect.

most people don't wear gloves year round