Not only are we likely to get Touch ID sensors included in all new iPhones and iPads this year — they will also be higher quality, too.

A new report suggests that 2014’s refresh of Touch ID focuses on internal modifications that will make Apple’s fingerprint scanning hardware much more durable.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company is supposedly expanding its 8-inch chip plant in order in order to produce Touch ID sensors for the iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 3.

TSMC is planning to produce 120 million Touch ID units this year alone — representing a 233 percent year over year increase, as the Touch ID sensor expands beyond just being included in Apple’s flagship iPhone model.

Supply chain sources claim that TSMC is scaling its mass production of new Touch ID units to begin delivery to Apple by early next month. While a previous report suggested that the first shipments of Touch ID sensors began by early May, it is possible that these were early batches for testing.

Similar to the iPhone’s Touch ID, the iPad version will support the additional functionality made available using iOS 8’s new SDK, which allows for third-party apps to access the fingerprint scanner for verification purposes. Touch ID is reportedly going to be part of a mobile payment system under development by Apple, working alongside PayPal.

Source: China Times

Via: GforGames