More Apple iPhone 8 insights, no presence of in-screen Touch ID

Apple’s HomePod firmware dissection provided a massive amount of information about the smart speaker itself. But interestingly, more information about the iPhone 8 was revealed. Developer Steven Troughton Smith has been the source of much of that information, spending the past few days digging through the HomePod’s IPSW file.

Smith has shared additional details from the HomePod firmware, noting of how software will be affected by the iPhone 8’s “notch” along the top, new ARKit features, and Touch ID details as well.

Smith has stated that the code does not indicate the presence of in-screen Touch ID. He also says there is no evidence concerning “ultra-sound” under display Touch ID, which is the tech that earlier patents had suggested. “Looks like not this year, quash that one,” Smith wrote on Twitter. This further lends credence to Touch ID being on the back of the device or gone altogether.  

Smith has also stated that the iPhone 8 may feature the “Tap to wake” feature which is similar to other smartphones on sale today. This feature allows users to wake their device up by simply tapping the display.

Smith also explains that the new iPhone 8 will come with a new iOS status bar which is a “lot more complex and powerful in design” because of the notch cutout. He has said that the notch could be interactive as well, but that remains to be found out.

The HomePod firmware also hints at a bunch of new features coming ARKit and Photos. Details are as of unclear at this point, but Smith points to things like ARFaceAnchor with the front facing depth camera.

Finally, the iPhone 8’s software Home button is referred to as the “home indicator,” while the HomePod code also shows that it will be hidden in certain contexts as to not take up screen estate.