Apple is rumored to hold another special keynote event to announce the next gen iPad lineup on October 22. According to AllThingsD’s sources Apple will unveil iPad 5, second gen iPad mini, release OS X Mavericks and could share an update on Mac Pro’s availability.

The iPad focused event had been rumored to be held in October earlier. Apple announced the iPad mini in October last year and the iPad product lineup had been due for a refresh. The fifth generation iPad is widely expected to share the design language of iPad mini which could result in a thinner and lighter design with slimmer bezel. The new 9.7 inch iPad could run on 64-bit A7 chip that was first introduced in the iPhone 5s. Sources familiar with the matter believe that even the second gen iPad mini could feature the A7 chip.

Apple introduced Touch ID in iPhone 5s this year to encourage more customers to set a passcode and yet find it easier and very intuitive to unlock their device. It is not clear if this fingerprint technology will make it to the iPad. However, it is possible that the new iPad 5 could feature the Touch ID.

Second gen iPad mini has long been rumored to feature a retina display and many leaks in the recent past suggest that second gen iPad mini will finally feature the high resolution display.

The time and venue of the event is still unknown. AllThingsD has a good track record of predicting dates for Apple events. While there has been no official confirmation it is very likely that the iPad keynote event will be held on October 22, 2013.

iPhone 5s Touch ID fingerprint sensor has been bypassed by a German hacker, who claims the process was fairly easy. When Apple announced the new iPhone 5s with fingerprint scanning technology the security and reliability of the new feature was questioned by many.

Earlier this month we published an analysis of the new biometric sensor by a security technologist who said, “… 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”. His analysis has now been proved to be accurate as the hacker whose nickname is ‘Starbug’ described the entire process as “trivial”.

The tools used to bypass the Touch ID  fingerprint sensor included scanning fingerprint from the front screen, high-res laser printer and printed circuit board etching kit. It took the hacker 30 hours for his first attempt but he claims that with proper setup the bypass can be accomplished within 30 minutes. The video shows the detailed process and even though the hacker claims the process is easy it does require skill, knowledge and experience to perform the hack.

iPhone 5s allows up-to 5 failed attempted and then locks the device with the fallback passcode. So, if someone manages to steal your iPhone, they would have only five trails to attempt a successful unlock. Also, it’s worth noting that Apple has included mandatory passcode unlock if the iPhone reboots or hasn’t been unlocked for 48 hours.

It is a well known fact that even the passcode can be bypassed using advanced software tools however, with the new activation lock thieves would possibly not be interested in stealing your phone. With activation lock the iPhone requires your Apple ID and password to turn off Find My iPhone, erase the device or reactivate and use the device.

Touch ID in the new iPhone 5s is an attempt by Apple to encourage more users to secure their device by setting a passcode yet not having to face the trouble to enter it again by again. You just place your finger over the home button and within 1-2 seconds the device unlocks.

Even though Apple’s Touch ID has been bypassed for the average user this shouldn’t be of much concern. Performing the hack to unlock the device would could still render the device useless without the Apple ID and password. The personal data can also be remote wiped anytime using Find My iPhone service.

A new patent filing by Apple suggests that the fingerprint sensor in iPhone 5S could be combined with NFC for the rumored iWallet technology. Near Field Communications (or NFC) supports data transmission over short ranges, perfect for financial transactions.

Recent photo of the alleged iPhone 5S packaging revealed that the upcoming iPhone 5S home button will have silver ring around it to act as a sensor to read your fingerprints. Now, the patent which was filed back in March 2012 contains artwork which resembles the home button of iPhone 5S. The patent explores the possibility to embed NFC circuitry below the home button.

 Contactless payment system is not widespread in the US, however it has seen significant adoption in the UK, South-East Asian and mainland Europe. Apple has in the past not shown any interest in NFC publicly but, the company continues to make investment in “iWallet” product.

An electronic device may have electrical components such as sensors. A sensor may have sensor circuitry that gathers sensor data using a conductive structure. The sensor may be a touch sensor that uses the conductive structure to form a capacitive touch sensor electrode or may be a fingerprint sensor that uses the conductive structure with a fingerprint electrode array to handle fingerprint sensor signals. Near field communications circuitry may be included in an electronic device. When operated in a sensor mode, the sensor circuitry may use the conductive structure to gather a fingerprint or other sensor data. When operated in near field communications mode, the near field communications circuitry can use the conductive structure to transmit and receive capacitively coupled or inductively coupled near field communications signals. A fingerprint sensor may have optical structures that communicate with external equipment.

The European patent application has just been assigned to Apple which has lead many to speculate if Apple will indeed introduce NFC capable iPhone 5S. Contactless payment is a faster and easier to make payment when compared with the swiping, signing or entering pin method. However, risk about losing an NFC device capable of making financial transactions is certainly one of the disadvantages. NFC combined with fingerprint sensor could provide the ultimate security to authenticate any financial transaction.

Apple is known to adopt new technology only after thinking about its usefulness. It’s possible that the company stayed away from NFC until the inclusion of a fingerprint sensor in the iPhone.

iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C are rumored to be unveiled at a keynote event at a special media event on September 10th. Do you think iPhone 5S will finally include NFC? Let us know what you think in the comments below.