Although security is an important aspect of the fingerprint sensor, it is also essential to Apple's payments processing strategy. Nobody expects Apple to make inroads into the highly competitive payments processing arena without a killer, cutting edge security feature. The fingerprint sensor is that bit of advanced technology that makes their payments processing more desirable than the existing processes. For another thing, there's lots of people with older iPads who are not so technically sophisticated as to understand the benefits inherent in an iPad Air, with its 64 bit processor, but would probably notice the fingerprint sensor and recognize it as providing value, as well as some protection against obsolescence during the transition to future point of purchase enhancements.
Yes, the iPhone is the one that counts, but we both (and everyone else, who's interested) know that Apple will not leave the iPad out in the cold without a sensor, if their perception is that it will sell more iPads. And, it will. |
