As expected, Apple introduced the new iPhone 5S at a media event Tuesday.
Also as anticipated, the iPhone 5S will be the same size and design and the current iPhone 5, however it will feature improved specifications and features.
Perhaps most notably, it be available in colors: silver, gold, and space Gray.
Another significant new feature is a "Touch ID" fingerprint sensor built into the home button that's capable of scanning sub-epidermal skin layers.
Seriously. It's got fingerprint ID technology on a hand-held device, NCIS style.
Touch ID can be used to unlock an iPhone and authorize iTunes purchases.
Built into the home button, Touch ID uses a laser cut crystal, together with the capacitive touch sensor, to take a high-resolution image of your fingerprint.
With its analysis, it will be able to provide accurate readings at any angle.
The Touch ID sensor recognizes the touch of a finger so the sensor is only activated when actually needed by the iPhone user, preserving battery life.
All information is encrypted and stored in the Secure Enclave inside the A7 chip on the iPhone 5s; it’s never on Apple servers or backed up to iCloud.
The improvements don't stop there. Internally, the iPhone 5S will feature a 64-bit A7 processor that will reportedly be up to twice as fast at CPU tasks.
The rear camera in the iPhone 5s has a new 5-element lens with an f/2.2 aperture and a sensor that is 15 percent larger than the current iPhone 5.
Other new camera features include Burst Mode, capable of capturing 10 photos per second, and Slo-Mo 720p video capture at 120 frames per second.
The iPhone 5s will cost $ 199, $ 299, and $ 399 for 16 GB, 32 GB, and 64 GB models respectively with a 2-year contract; $ 649/$ 749/$ 849 with no contract.
It will available in stores in the US, Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Japan, Singapore, and the UK starting in just 10 days: Friday, September 20.
The Hollywood Gossip