Apple to “ditch iPhone’s home button for a special new sensor”

PanARMENIAN.Net - Apple had fans up in arms after doing away with the headphone jack, and it looks like it may be about to ruffle some feathers once more.

The tech giant is reportedly planning to ditch the home button on the iPhone for a special new sensor on the screen.

As Digital Spy reveals citing MacRumours, KGI securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has released a report hinting at the overhaul.

He claims that Apple is developing "under panel" Touch ID that is required for a full-screen design, as the current "under glass" touch technology does not reach the requirements for full-screen form factor designs.

This will apparently necessitate optical ID technology, though it is in the early stages of development and could prove difficult, as the tech would need to work with OLED panels.

However, Kuo says he believes Apple will have the bargaining power to make it possible.

He also discusses a rumoured facial tracking system to be included, and predicts that the fingerprint system may "ultimately be replaced by a facial recognition system".

"However, if the technical challenges cannot be overcome, we believe a combination of fingerprint and facial recognition is another possible solution," Kuo adds.

On top of that, he claims that Apple is looking to advance its 3D Touch technology in its next iPhone model.