Two New Reports Claim Touch ID Is iPad-Bound, After All

Two new reports, each complete with purported images of Apple's next-generation iPads, claim that both the iPad 5 and iPad mini 2 are set to feature a fingerprint scanning Touch ID-equipped Home button. The news comes following a detailed report on Apple's Tuesday media event from Ming-Chi Kuo with KGI Securities, which indicated that this, in fact, wouldn't be the case. The analyst, who has offered reliable Apple-based predictions in the past, claimed that Touch ID isn't set to reach either the 9.7-inch iPad or the iPad mini in 2013. As we explained in our original article:

Kuo goes on to claim that an iPad mini with Retina display is indeed set to launch, too. This will have a resolution of 2,048 by 1,536, and will remain 7.9-inches; he adds that the iPad mini 2 is expected to feature the same Apple A7 processor that appears in the iPhone 5s. Kuo notes, however, that he doesn’t believe either iPad will feature Apple’sfingerprint scanning Touch ID. This, he writes, is due to production problems – Apple isn’t able to make enough for the iPhone 5s, Kuo claims, let alone two new iPad models.

Now, however, reports from CTechCN and 2014 News both argue that Touch ID is iPad-bound, after all, and claim to have pictures to prove it. First up, the image from CTechCN (pictured below) purportedly shows the iPhone 5s, the iPad mini 2, and the iPad 5, all in the "space gray" color option, and all featuring a Touch ID fingerprint scanner. The iPad 5 pictured above indeed appears to take influence from the design of the iPad mini, as previous rumors and reports have of course indicated. On the other hand, the iPad mini 2 shown in CTechCN's image looks similar to the first-generation 7.9-inch tablet. However, the website claims that though similar in appearance, the second-generation iPad mini features a high resolution Retina display, as expected. In addition to CTechCN's piece comes a report from 2014 News, which includes the image displayed at the head of this article. As you can see, the picture (also included below) clearly shows what appears to be a gold iPad mini, complete with a Touch ID-equipped Home button. Rumors have indeed indicated that Apple's next-generation iPads will be available in space gray, white and silver, and gold and silver color options. The report, however, oddly claims that Apple's iPad mini 2 doesn't feature a Retina display, and suggests that this addition is being saved for 2014. Given that these reports aren't in agreement with one another concerning the second-generation iPad mini's anticipated Retina display, it's our opinion that both should be taken with a grain of salt. Recent analysis has indicated that the iPad mini 2 will feature a high resolution Retina display, at least. However, we'll know nothing for certain until the product is officially announced by Apple next week. As a reminder, Apple is holding its special media event at 10 a.m. PDT this coming Tuesday. We'll be covering the day's news from start to finish, so be sure to check back with us. See also: Apple Inventory Data Indicates Non-Retina iPad mini Could Remain On The Market, Today's Best Apps: Qwhizzle And Pinch Pong, and Quirky App Of The Day: Help The Undead Boogie In Zombie Dance Off. Via: 9to5Mac

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