Apple's Apple Pay might come to the MacBook Air via the addition of Touch ID sensors, but experts say small space and unsecure data transmission might hinder the additional feature from taking off on.
MacBook Air's trackpad gets an update in the form of the additional Touch ID fingerprint sensor, Business Insider reveals. Citing report from apple.club.tw, a site that has previously supplied "accurate information," Apple might be integrating more iPhone-like features into the 12-inch MacBook Air expected to be unveiled soon.
The arrival of the Touch ID sensor seems to be a move to introduce Apple Pay to the Mac. However, the addition of the sensor is not enough to ensure that the payment method will work. According to the article, "Touch ID's functionality is based on a secure element within Apple's A-series chips that power its iPhones and iPads, which keep financial transaction safe." The "same experience" will have to be created on the Mac should Apple Pay be introduced.
Apart from the Macbook Air, new versions of desktop computers such as the Mac Mini, Mac Pro, and iMac are rumored to get the sensor on the Magic Mouse or the Magic Trackpad. Furthermore, the MacBook Pro might see the additional feature as well.
Despite the addition of a seemingly useful feature, experts are wondering what good the Touch ID sensor would do with its supposed location on the device. According to Mobile ID World, there is very little space on the trackpad where the sensor is supposed to be added.
Additionally, the site mentions: "As for the Magic Mouse and the Magic Trackpad, it might be problematic that they are wireless and would have to be able to transmit the TouchID data securely."
Rumors about the Touch ID sensor coming to MacBook Air is backed by reports of Apple ordering 77% more Touch ID sensors this year, says BGR. The article mentions the Cupertino-based company having ordered more than a quarter of a billion sensors.
Apple Pay is competing with other mCommerce services in the Chinese market. Currently, Apple Pay is available in iPhones and the iPad Air 2.
Aside from being a tool for Apple Pay, the Touch ID trackpads are also used to log-in to the MacBook.
Adding to possible new features, MacBook Air is rumored to come in different colors, just as iPhone eventually did with certain models. The new Macbook Air is rumored to be available in gold, silver, and space grey.
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