The rumors for the iPhone 5S continue with reports of delays and a new feature.
According to a supply chain source in Taiwan, via The Telegraph, Apple's attempt to find a coating material that would not interfere with their allegedly new fingerprint sensor may be causing a launch delay.
Meanwhile, a new Apple patent was discovered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. under patent No. 8,429,407. Known as the "Digital handshake between devices," the patent in question is directed to establish a "secure communications path between two electronic devices."
As to how the digital handshake will work, the patent report noted the devices could capture an image of another device by using either the rear-facing or front-facing camera.
"For example, each device can display a seed to be identified from an image taken by the other device," the report added, crediting Caroline Cranfill and Marcel Van Os as inventors. "Using the extracted keys or seeds, each device can generate, using a same process, an identical digital handshake key. The digital handshake key can then be used to define a secure communications path between the two devices and share information securely."
The filing also noted a connection to a third device is possible. The digital handshake appears to not be exclusive to Apple smartphones but could have something to do with the company's Macbook series as well.
It is unknown if the patent in question will be utilized for the iPhone 5S, but speculation says it is likely for the iPhone 6.
As always, Apple hasn't confirmed any of this, so be sure to stay skeptical.
For the latest on the iPhone 5S, click here.