Apple's Beats brand in April unveiled the Powerbeats Pro, a redesigned wire-free version of its popular fitness-oriented Powerbeats earbuds.
Sketchy Rumor Claims MacBooks, Magic Mouse and Magic Trackpad to Gain Touch ID
Touch ID could be headed to the next-generation MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, Magic Mouse and Magic Trackpad, according to a sketchy rumor from Taiwanese website Apple.club.tw [Google Translate]. The report, citing sources, claims that the fingerprint scanner will be positioned above the trackpad on MacBooks and integrated directly into the Magic Mouse and Magic Trackpad for desktop Mac users.
The addition of a built-in fingerprint scanner on the latest MacBooks, Magic Mouse and Magic Trackpad would enable Apple to make an aggressive push into the mobile payments industry with Apple Pay. The NFC-based mobile payments platform is currently limited to the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, and will be compatible with the iPhone 5s, iPhone 5c and iPhone 5 when paired with an Apple Watch.
There are a few reasonable obstacles, however, that suggest this rumor may not be true. First, there is limited space above the trackpad on MacBooks for Apple to implement Touch ID, especially on the upcoming 12-inch MacBook Air. Meanwhile, integrating Touch ID on the Magic Mouse and Magic Trackpad would be complex due to the need for secure wireless transmitting authentication.
Apple.club.tw has shared reliable information in the past about Apple's upcoming product plans, leaking photos of components for next-generation products such as the iPhone 6 and iPad Air 2. Nevertheless, this rumor should be treated with a proverbial grain of salt until further information is known.
Non-Retina MacBook Airs could be updated as soon as late February, while the 12-inch Retina MacBook Air is expected to launch closer to mid-year. Keep an eye on MacRumors' Buyer's Guides for the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro for the latest advice and information about product refreshes.
The addition of a built-in fingerprint scanner on the latest MacBooks, Magic Mouse and Magic Trackpad would enable Apple to make an aggressive push into the mobile payments industry with Apple Pay. The NFC-based mobile payments platform is currently limited to the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, and will be compatible with the iPhone 5s, iPhone 5c and iPhone 5 when paired with an Apple Watch.
There are a few reasonable obstacles, however, that suggest this rumor may not be true. First, there is limited space above the trackpad on MacBooks for Apple to implement Touch ID, especially on the upcoming 12-inch MacBook Air. Meanwhile, integrating Touch ID on the Magic Mouse and Magic Trackpad would be complex due to the need for secure wireless transmitting authentication.
Apple.club.tw has shared reliable information in the past about Apple's upcoming product plans, leaking photos of components for next-generation products such as the iPhone 6 and iPad Air 2. Nevertheless, this rumor should be treated with a proverbial grain of salt until further information is known.
Non-Retina MacBook Airs could be updated as soon as late February, while the 12-inch Retina MacBook Air is expected to launch closer to mid-year. Keep an eye on MacRumors' Buyer's Guides for the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro for the latest advice and information about product refreshes.
Related Roundup: MacBook
Tags: Touch ID, apple.club.tw
Buyer's Guide: MacBook (Don't Buy)
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55 months ago
i just want them to do a full size wireless keyboard!! Gotta have my number pad.
55 months ago
"there is limited space above the trackpad on MacBooks for pple to implement Touch ID, especially on the upcoming 12-inch MacBook Air."
If only there was space to the side... also who edits these?! 'pple' !
*edit* this was fixed!
If only there was space to the side... also who edits these?! 'pple' !
*edit* this was fixed!
55 months ago
How is this rumour sketchy? Amongst all the nonsense about Apple making a driverless car and absurd :apple:Watch rumours, this is one rumour that actually makes sense.
55 months ago
why would anybody need touch ID on their mouse? :roll eyes:
For people who don't want to type a 15 character password on their computer, like myself.
55 months ago
Why?
Touch ID would be of little use on a MBP and even less useful on a Magic Mouse or Trackpad. The benefit of having it on your phone is because it allows you to have complex passcodes that would be difficult to enter on a tiny keyboard. That's not an issue on a laptop keyboard. There are already apps that will allow you to unlock your MBP with your iPhone or iPad if you really need that functionality. Why mess up the design of the MM & MTP or the MBP for that matter.
Touch ID would be of little use on a MBP and even less useful on a Magic Mouse or Trackpad. The benefit of having it on your phone is because it allows you to have complex passcodes that would be difficult to enter on a tiny keyboard. That's not an issue on a laptop keyboard. There are already apps that will allow you to unlock your MBP with your iPhone or iPad if you really need that functionality. Why mess up the design of the MM & MTP or the MBP for that matter.
55 months ago
I seriously dont get why here are people against this?
I dont know about you guys if you are even using passwords on your mac but I have a quite long and complicated password not just a "word" and I can type it quite fast in but thats not an elegant solution. Even using an iPhone as unlock wouldnt be that good. Get it out of my pocket every time that many times I dont want to first touch my phone to work on my computer.
My macbook goes to sleep multiple times a day and I often have to type it. Just using touch ID would be so awesome.
I dont know about you guys if you are even using passwords on your mac but I have a quite long and complicated password not just a "word" and I can type it quite fast in but thats not an elegant solution. Even using an iPhone as unlock wouldnt be that good. Get it out of my pocket every time that many times I dont want to first touch my phone to work on my computer.
My macbook goes to sleep multiple times a day and I often have to type it. Just using touch ID would be so awesome.
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