Patent application shows possible Apple TV remote with built-in Touch ID sensor

Apple may not have released its anticipated next-gen Apple TV console at the Worldwide Developers Conference, but it appears that the company is still working on one.

A recently published patent shows an Apple TV remote with a built-in Touch ID sensor.

As is often the case, the patent is expressed in extremely broad terms, referring to a “sensor configured to detect a biometric characteristic of a user” and mentioning everything from iris detection to voice sensing, but a fingerprint is included and appears to be what is shown in the main drawing.

The patent suggests that biometric authorization could perform functions like selecting preferred channels or tap into HomeKit-based functions and change a thermostat temperature or open a garage door.

There’s no guarantee that such a thing will make it into a final product, but this points the way towards a logical next step for the Apple TV.

Via 9to5Mac and Patently Apple