After numerous rumors about Apple including a fingerprint sensor in iPhone 5S were published, we finally have the new iPhone with a biometric sensor that Apple calls Touch ID. The purchase of AuthenTec, a company that specialises in fingerprint lock technology made this feature possible in the new iPhone.

Apple is known for integrating hardware and software features seamlessly and the new fingerprint scanner is probably one of the best examples out there right now. Fingerprint scanning has been used in many devices before however, the ease of use on the iPhone sets a new standard. Instead of swiping your finger over the sensor Apple has made it as intuitive as touching the home button by placing the sensor right below it.

During the keynote presentation Apple’s SVP of marketing, Phil Schiller noted that half of the customer don’t set a passcode on their devices. By introducing Touch ID Apple is making it easier and hassle free for users to remember their pass-codes. With the iPhone 5S once you register your fingerprint your finger becomes your password and there is virtually no need to remember your passcode to unlock your phone.

When we think of setting up a passcode, the first suggestion is to make sure its unique and hard for someone else to figure out. But, with the new iPhone when you set your fingerprint as your password you’re setting a password which is easily available on anything you touch. Bruce Schneier, a security technologist, on his blog Schneier on Security {via GigaOM} has written an excellent piece on how secure is the biometric technology. Schneier notes that it is possible to hack fingerprint locks using various techniques.

… someone with a good enough copy of your fingerprint and some rudimentary materials engineering capability — or maybe just a good enough printer — can authenticate his way into your iPhone

In an old episode of MythBusters, it was shown that after securing fingerprints of a person by making him touch the cover of a CD, an exact replica of the ridges in the finger was created. This was then used in different formats, using 3D thumbprint imprinted ballistics gel, 3D thumbprint imprinted latex strip and photocopy of a scanned image of the fingerprint.

The hack worked on all occasions. Some fingerprint scanners also look for body temperature or moisture and even that could be replicated by licking the latex strip to create a sweaty feel.

Schneier notes that the technology becomes more vulnerable if the database that stores fingerprints is centralised. However, in the case of iPhone 5S it will be encrypted on the new A7 chip.

Apple recently shared some new information regarding the new fingerprint sensor and Touch ID. A spokesperson for the company mentioned {via Wall Street Journal} that in addition to the Touch ID a user will have to setup a passcode.

In an event of failure to recognize the fingerprint iPhone will use your passcode as a fallback. In case the phone is rebooted or hasn’t been unlocked for 48 hours the fingerprint scan won’t be accepted as means to unlock the phone.

Given the fact that Apple realises that it isn’t impossible to bypass the fingerprint sensor, the company has put in place such security measures to ensure the iPhone is protected in any scenario.

The iPhone 5S event didn’t pack any surprises this time. Everything Apple announced had already been leaked through various leaks published online. Even the name of the fingerprint scanner was leaked just minutes before Apple event went live.

So, what is the all-new iPhone 5S all about you ask? Apple hasn’t changed its strategy since the original iPhone. It continues to introduce an all-new design every two-years so it wasn’t a surprise that iPhone 5S design remained the same as its predecessor. However, there are three notable differences: Metal ring, Camera and Performance.

The home button in iPhone 5S has a metal ring around it. This ring has been put in place to support the new Touch ID (fingerprint) scanner. Now unlocking your iPhone will be as easy as placing your finger or thumb on the home button and gaining access to your device. During the keynote presentation Phil Schiller mentioned that half of the iPhone users do not set pass codes. As smartphones increasingly carry more and more sensitive data securing the access to our device is of huge importance.

Apple believes that by introducing Touch ID customers will appreciate how easily they can protect their device with seamless integration of a fingerprint scanner under the home button. You can even use your Touch ID to authenticate iTunes, App Store and iBooks purchases. It’s worth noting that Apple is not allowing developers to take advantage of this new feature and is keeping it closed atleast for now.

There has been a lot of talk about customers privacy and how companies handles all the sensitive data. Apple clearly mentioned that Touch ID data is not stored on iCloud and is never shared with Apple. It is locally encrypted on the all new A7 chip.

The iPhone 5S takes another huge leap in terms of its CPU and graphics performance if we go by the numbers Apple provides. The company claims that iPhone 5S is twice as fast CPU and graphics performance when compared with iPhone 5. Mobile technology is evolving at an unprecedented rate. Just 6 years after the introduction of the original iPhone, the new iPhone 5S promises to provide 40 times faster CPU and 56 times faster graphics performance.

A7 chip is a 64 bit which is the first ever on any smartphone. But, the chip is not the only “firsts” for Apple’s smartphone. The camera system has been overhauled and now the new iPhone features dual-led flash which the company calls True Tone flash. Where traditionally companies place two white LED’s Apple has integrated white and amber color LED flashlight. The company claims that the dual-tone flash enables the iPhone to take more natural photographs in which the skin tones appear true to life.

Apple has also introduced new slow-mo mode where you can record video in 120fps to capture that perfect action in a video and create a dramatic effect. There’s an all-new burst mode as well, now the iPhone can take unto 10 shots in 1 second and even selects the best shot for you and deleting the rest is as easy as tapping one button.

iPhone 5S will be available in three metal finishes. Last years slate has been discontinued and now theres gold, silver and space gray finish available. Battery performance hasn’t seen any significant gains except for a better standby time.

iOS 7 and all Apple apps have been optimised to take advantage of the new 64bit A7 chip. Apple has also introduced new M7 coprocessor that collects data from motion sensors like gyroscope and accelerometer and feed the info to A7 without causing much battery drain.

Overall iPhone 5S features the beautiful design of the iPhone 5, is twice as fast, has enhanced camera system and now it will recognise your fingerprint. iPhone 5S is certainly “forward thinking” in every sense.

A page from the user guide of the upcoming iPhone 5S has allegedly leaked online which suggests the new fingerprint scanner will be called ‘Touch ID sensor’. Apple’s iPhone 5S is about to be unveiled at a media event at 10:00 AM PT in Cupertino, Calif. and now this photo has been uncovered by Nowhereelse.fr.

The user guide photo shows the home screen of the iPhone 5S running iOS 7 and marking labels on the physical buttons of the device. Clearly the home button carries an additional label “Touch ID sensor”. The style of the home button with a silver ring is consistent with previous leak of iPhone 5S packaging photo.

Fingerprint / Touch ID Sensor could be the main highlight feature of the new iPhone 5S. It has been widely reported that Apple’s use of the fingerprint technology as a means to authenticate or unlock the device is very easy and seamless. The additional silver ring on the home button will act as a sensor to record the users fingerprint with accuracy.

The all-new iPhone 5S will also feature dual-led flashlight, new A7 processor and new camera software to support slow motion video recording. We’re just minutes away from the new iPhone being announced. The release date for the new iPhone 5S is expected to be around September 20th. Pre-orders for the new iPhone could go live as early as September 13th.

With the new Touch ID sensor iPhone 5S could be an attractive upgrade for users with previous gen iPhone. We will report on all the tech specs of the new iPhone as soon as the live keynote event is over and all details are available.

We’ve been reporting about the rumors and various leaks surrounding the fingerprint sensor in iPhone 5S. Photos of the home button flex cable that leaked last week was a strong indicator about the inclusion of the new sensor in iPhone 5S. Additionally, packaging of the upcoming iPhone was also leaked that showed silver button on the home button.

All the recent leaks and rumors have provided significant proof that we will indeed see Apple announce the new iPhone 5S with a fingerprint sensor. Analysts have repeatedly predicted Apple’s purchase of Authentec to be closely tied in with the fingerprint sensor making it to the iPhone. Now, The Wall Street Journal has also confirmed the rumor based on sources close to the matter.

Placing a finger on a computer or smartphone has long been proposed as a way to avoid the need for passwords to authenticate users of computers and other devices. People familiar with the matter said last week that Apple will include a fingerprint scanner on the more expensive of two iPhones it is expected to unveil Tuesday at an event at its Cupertino, Calif., headquarters.

Even though Apple’s iPhone may not not be the first smartphone to feature a fingerprint scanner, it is believed that Apple’s implementation of the feature is the easiest and seamless. Using fingerprint data to unlock devices or use as a replacement for passwords has been available on computers and phones however, the accuracy and reliability has always been a concern.

iPhone 5S will be unveiled at a media event being held today at the Town Hall Campus in Cupertino, Calif. It will be interesting to see how Apple uses the fingerprint scanning technology to make iPhone even more secure and easy to use.