Apple working on iPhone that could be unlocked by fingerprint

Apple is reportedly working on a new technology that would let phone to be unlocked by the owner's fingerprint, a report has said.

Apple is reportedly working on a new technology that would let phone to be unlocked by the owner's fingerprint, a report has said.

Eddy Cue, Apple senior vice president of internet software and services, displays the new iTunes interface during Apple Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2013 in San Francisco. Reuters/Stephen Lam

Eddy Cue, Apple senior vice president of internet software and services, displays the new iTunes interface during Apple Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2013 in San Francisco. Reuters/Stephen Lam

At the same time other manufacturers are thought to be experimenting with iris scanning and voice recognition, the Telegraph reports.

According to the paper, speculation about Apple's plans for fingerprint recognition began last year when the iPhone maker bought biometric security firm AuthenTec for 235 million pounds.

Earlier this month, KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said his firm expected the results of that takeover to be revealed this year with the new iPhone 5S.

Samsung has had a 'Face Unlock' feature in its phones since last year's Galaxy S3.

However, the phone's camera would often unlock if it recognised a photograph of the owner.

New Apple iOS 7 features are displayed on screen during Apple Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2013 in San Francisco. Reuters/Stephen Lam

New Apple iOS 7 features are displayed on screen during Apple Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2013 in San Francisco. Reuters/Stephen Lam