iPhone 5s Home ButtonApple will use sapphire home buttons on the new iPad and iPad mini, expected to launch next month, according to a report from DigiTimes.

Apple first adopted sapphire to make covers of iPhone 5 cameras and now the material is also used in making covers of iPhone 5S finger print-recognizing home keys, the sources noted. Apple in March 2013 filed with the US Patent and Trademark Office an application concerning high-temperature lamination of sapphire layers, the sources noted.

The report goes on to note that Apple may be looking to adopt sapphire for the front screen of the next iPhone to be launched in 2014.

The most likely reason for a sapphire home button would be to add the Touch ID fingerprint sensor to the iPad, while a sapphire screen for the iPhone, while likely being an extremely expensive part, would make the screen virtually immune to scratching.

A previous report suggested that Apple and other smartphone manufacturers looked at using sapphire for smartphone screens but found the material was unsuitable for high-volume production.

A redesigned iPad and Retina iPad mini are expected to launch next month.

Related Roundups: iPad, iPad mini
Related Forum: iPad

Top Rated Comments

pmz Avatar
151 months ago
You think?

Touch ID will hit every product eventually.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
g88bo Avatar
151 months ago
now add that fingerprint sensor to the rmbp aswell and release it already! :)
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
piecloud Avatar
151 months ago
Multi user support

This might finally bring multi-user support. Touch Id + no multi user = Fail ! for families that share an iPad.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
SockRolid Avatar
151 months ago

...
Dude the future is here man! If people can't see the huge potential for this in the next 1-2 years you are so blind. :confused:

“The future is already here - it’s just not evenly distributed.”

- William Gibson
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
0029937 Avatar
151 months ago
Seems like a no brainer for Apple to have a top of the line iPhone (5s) and iPad(9.7") both with the fingerprint sensor right now for corporate clients(as well as obviously for the consumer market). Let the iPad Mini and iPhone 5c be the less expensive/not as secure/not as profitable/not as powerful devices.

Can't wait for a new Mini! My iPad 2 days are done!(nothing wrong with it, just feels like holding a brick now after using the g/f's Mini constantly).

----------

A little change just for the sake of it.
A little? What the f...
Dude the future is here man! If people can't see the huge potential for this in the next 1-2 years you are so blind. :confused:

I could see this being huge for parents who want to control the amount of time their kids use on the iPad. I know of a coworker who's kid is addicted to Minecraft and he's only like 7 or 8. Not literally addicted but plays it probably too much.

Businesses that use an iPad instead of a big clunky cash register can now not be worried about having a $500+ device sitting on the counter. Want it? Go for it and steal it, you won't be able to use it.

Minor convenience of not having to click home screen and then swipe. Now just put finger on home button. I bet after using the fingerprint sensor to unlock going back to the old way will feel so wrong and slow(yes, probably only a 1/4-1/2 second slower but still add that up over couple years).
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
lotzosushi Avatar
151 months ago
As long as it comes along with a retina display on the mini I'll be happy. :rolleyes:
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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