So Apple files patents all the time for improvements on existing technology that they have, but recently they filed for something a little bit our of the ordinary. It looks like they are looking to incorporate biometric sensors in the iPhone and iPod Touch! Apple suggests that embedding biometric sensors in locations where users already touch devices is their plan. In the case of the iPhone, a patent drawing shows a biometric sensor embedded in the display sensors beneath the area of the screen that is used to unlock the device.
Other drawings also show sensors embedded in a notebook trackpad and on certain keyboard keys. The patent application discusses a number of other authentication methods, including facial feature recognition and even retinal scanning, although those may not be coming any time soon. I think we could see biometric sensor technology in the Apple laptops and the iPhone as soon as October 2009. 
Tomorrow is the day that Skype will be available on the iPhone! Skype is set to launch this much anticipated iPhone application Tuesday March 31, bringing Net-based phone service to Apple’s mobile platform (finally). Skype is just one of the many free downloads available recently for the iPhone. With Skype on your iPhone, you will be able to make completely free calls using Wi-Fi to other Skype users as well as use their Skype accounts to make reduced price calls to traditional landline phones. Skype for the iPhone will be available for free, with a version for the BlackBerry expected to be out in May. Mobile versions of Skype are currently available for Nokia, Windows Mobile, and Google Android phones.
Based on the available information on Skype for the iPhone, it looks solid. A few potential problems are that users won’t be able to place calls over cellular data networks, but only via Wi-Fi. This is in place for obvious reasons… it would eliminate the need for a “voice” package on your cell phone. Still, for international callers especially, Skype’s iPhone app will save callers money by allowing them to avoid AT&T’s traditional wireless phone network and adds the convenience of allowing Skype users to use their iPhone handset for Skype calls. NOTE: SKYPE FOR THE IPHONE IS APPARENTLY NOT AVAILABLE IN CANADA AT THIS TIME. (This is due to a Canadian patent issue with either skype or apple.)
A major update for the Apple iPhone and iPod touch has been released. There are over 100 new features included in the update which replicate those already offered by other smartphones on the market. The new features include cut, copy and paste, which has been demanded for a long time by iPhone users, picture messaging and a search feature (within the phone), but still no Flash video.
“The upgrade is a big big deal and will help persuade consumers to stay with Apple,” said Gartner analyst Van Baker.
“While things like copy and paste and multi-media messaging (MMS) are things they have needed to do for a while, other features will in essence stop consumers buying other smartphones and raise the amount of money people spend on the iPhone, ” he said.
Analyst Gene Munster from Piper Jaffray also agreed that the iPhone software upgrade was a major advancement for Apple.
“We believe Apple addressed key issues that were leading some consumers to competing devices for multimedia messaging and enterprise e-mail.”
Stereo Bluetooth and a voice memo system were two other features which turned heads at the unveiling of the update. A new search tool called Spotlight will allow users to search files and applications on the iPhone or iPod Touch just as on the Macintosh OS X operating system.
