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Apple Watch 6 rumoured to feature Touch ID biometrics

The next Apple Watch will feature new tech including Touch ID fingerprint biometrics and sleep tracking, according to a new report that suggests the device will be released before the end of the year pending the impact of the coronavirus.

The potential addition of Touch ID for Apple’s wearable is a welcome one as there are currently no authentication options on the latest model and users have to input a code when placing it on their wrist.

It is possible to pair the Apple Watch with an iPhone for easier unlocking, but a more intuitive method will speed up the process and improve the user experience.

There have been rumours for some time that Apple is ready to use in-screen fingerprint sensors on its devices, including the iPhone.

However, analysts do not expect the feature, which is included on some premium Android smartphones, to make its way into the iPhone 12 models due in late 2020.

Touch ID is the standout feature in the reports for the Apple Watch 6, but Apple has other plans for watchOS 7, including the arrival of sleep tracking and a blood oxygen sensor.

Both of these features were first seen in the early code for iOS 14, so it’s not a complete surprise that they are pending updates for the next-gen wearable.

The report also claims that watchOS 7 will be a “big upgrade”, and as such, older hardware including the Apple Watch Series 2 will not be able to support it.

Health and fitness is becoming more of a focus for the Apple Watch and the company in general, so there may be major advancements in this area in the coming months and years.

The Apple Watch Series 6 is tipped to be released in September with an official announcement in August possible if there are no delays due to the outbreak of the coronavirus.

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About the author

Chris

I've been a passionate evangelist for Apple and the Macintosh throughout my working life, my first love was a Quadra 605 working with a small creative agency in the south of Norfolk UK in the mid 1990's, I later progressed to other roles in other Macintosh dominated industries, first as a Senior graphic designer at a small printing company and then a production manager at Guardian Media Group. As the publishing and printing sector wained I moved into Internet Marketing and in 2006 co-founded blurtit.com which grew to become one the top 200 visited sites in the US (according to Quantcast), at its peak receiving over 15 million visits per month. For the last ten years I have worked as an Affiliate and Consultant to many different business and start ups, my key skill set being online marketing, on page monetisation, landing page optimisation and traffic generation, if you would like to hire me or discuss your current project please reach out to me here.

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