Apple Inc. (AAPL): iPhone Rumors Boosting Biometric Companies

The tech and investing worlds seem to have reignited their respective romances with Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) of late, driven by the recent scheduling of an event on September 10th where many expect the new iPhone model will be unveiled. Traders are optimistic as the stock got back above $500 yesterday, and Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) fans are downright giddy.

So mark your calendar, get excited, and start coming to grips with the fact that your current iPhone is about to look seriously outdated.

However, one of the more interesting aspects of all the excitement is the rumor that Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) will be including a fingerprint scanner on the next iPhone. Last year they purchased a company named AuthenTec for $350 million that specializes in fingerprint scanners. Since then, publicly traded companies focused on biometrics have been soaring.

Jony Ive, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)

In Sweden, Precise Biometrics and Fingerprint Cards have seen their stocks rise 137% and 1,235% respectively over the last twelve months. Likewise, French companies Safran and its subsidiary Gemalto have seen their shares rise about 50% each over the same period.

While most biometric security technology has yet to catch on in consumer devices and applications, the industry is hoping to ride along with Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s success. Much like touchscreens became common after the 2007 iPhone launch, CEO of Swedish company Fingerprint Cards, Johan Carlstroem believes the same can be done with biometrics.

“The use of biometrics in consumer electronics isn’t new,” he said. But if “Apple gets its fingerprint solution to work seamlessly and delivers a great user experience, it will mean a paradigm shift and a milestone for biometrics.”

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