Apple's iOS 7.1 code hints at a Touch ID fingerprint scanner for iPads, according to a new report by V3.

The news first came out on Twitter from an independent iOS developer, who posted an image containing the code. It happens to contain a reference to two 'integers,' essentially devices that will have the ability to use Touch ID. Check out the image below.

Code Discovered in iOS 7.1 Offers Further Evidence of Impending Touch ID in Next iPad http://t.co/EHzElB6qkq pic.twitter.com/W7mJbWqtK2 — ModMyi.com (@modmyi) April 26, 2014

Currently, the Touch ID tool is available only on the iPhone 5S, Apple's latest and greatest smartphone.

However, for several months now, rumour mills have suggested that Apple will add Touch ID functionality to its next line of iPads that are expected to launch during late 2014.

Such an inclusion will not come as a surprise as features that first appeared on iPhones eventually landed up on future iPads. Apart from the Touch ID, analysts believe that several other features that are currently restricted to the iPhone 5S will also make it to future iPads.

Back in July 2012, Apple acquired the fingerprint sensor technology developer AuthenTec Inc. It later went on to use technology from that acquisition to develop its Touch ID technology.

The move from Apple inspired similar technology being added by competitors like Samsung, who added a fingerprint reader into their recently launched Samsung Galaxy S5. Check out our full review of the Samsung Galaxy S5 over here.