Apple
Apple CEO Tim Cook waves as he arrives on stage to deliver his keynote address at the Worldwide Developers Conference in San Francisco, California, U.S. June 8, 2015. Reuters/Robert Galbraith

Apple has been granted over 50 new patents, some of which could end up on the upcoming iPhone 8. The patents include a handy 3D scanner that could be used together with a motion-sensing input device, an edge-to-edge touch panel and a Touch ID that situates under the display.

The US Patent and Trademark Office has officially awarded Apple a total of 56 new patents. One covers the bending of the edges of an electronic device’s touch panel for a bezel-less design. The iPhone 8 is expected to sport an edge-to-edge display, and this patent virtually seals the deal.

One of the patents also involves an electronic device with a touch display and a possible finger biometric sensor. The sensor, which should be carried by the touch panel, could also come with a bunch of switchable transparent conductive blocking areas in the middle of the finger biometric sensing layer and at least one of the display’s translucent conductive layers. Apple can use the under-the-display Touch ID not only on its smartphone, but also its tablet and notebook line-up. The MacBook Pro’s Touch Bar uses the same enhancement.

Another patent covers Apple’s means of optical radiation projection and capture, including the devices to use it for. This, for the most part, centres on optical 3D mapping. The patent involves a portable Kinect-like system that could allow users to interact with the videos or games being played on their machines. Patently Apple notes that the California-based tech titan puts an emphasis on the scanner technology’s technical side instead of the invention’s marketing side.

The new Apple patents were granted on the same day that new renders of the alleged iPhone 8 made rounds. The upcoming handset is highly anticipated since this year marks the iconic smartphone’s tenth year anniversary. Fans expect the next iPhone to be packed with new features never before seen in previous models.

The iPhone 8 is reportedly right on schedule, with production likely initiating in time for a September announcement. Apple is expected to start selling new units of its iconic smartphone in October. The handset is anticipated to have as many as 80 million to 110 million shipments in the latter part of 2017.

The new 64 GB iPhone could carry a projected US$850 (AU$1,145) price tag while the 126 GB model may go for US$1,000 (AU$1,350). The 256 GB variant of the Apple iPhone 8 is projected to sell for US$1,100 (AU$1,485).

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