The next generation iPhone is most likely still a year away from becoming a reality, but fans are already predicting different design and spec features for the new device as early as now. The new iPhone 8 is expected to be coming with some sort of revolutionary new feature that will distinguish it from the crowd of smartphones in the highly competitive market. Now, a recently awarded patent for the company seems to indicate a brand new feature that could be incorporated into the new device next year.
Apple previously filed a patent back in September of 2014. The patent itself was for a new technology the company called a "Capacitive fingerprint sensor including an electrostatic lens." The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) recently awarded the patent yesterday — Oct. 4 — with the US Patent No. 9,460,332.
While the diagrams and descriptions within the patent might seem like gibberish to most people, the technology itself is basically a clever way of embeding a fingerprint scanning system under the smartphone's screen. If Apple does incorporate this new technology onto their next device, it would mean that the iPhone 8 would likely no longer feature a home button.
Rumors had previously claimed that the new iPhone's screen would likely be fully occupied with its display, essentially having the display cover the entire front surface of the phone. The only problem with this scenario is that the Touch ID system would have to be relocated somewhere else, possibly on the back of the phone.
However, with the new technology, Apple can now embed the scanner under the display itself allowing users to interact with a virtual home button to unlock the phone, authenticate payments, and log into apps and services.
The current iPhone 7 itself does not have a physical and clickable home button. The phone instead has a capacitive area equipped with the company's Taptic Engine. Should the company use their newly awarded patent, they can now do away with the button entirely and increase the phone's overall screen real estate.
