NEW YORK: Google Android M could include a native fingerprint authentication, which is currently seen on a few Android smartphones such as Samsung Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 Edge, HTC One M9 as well on iOS devices such as iPhone 5S, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPad mini 3, and iPad Air 2.
The news was reported by BuzzFeed who stated that the new functionality will allow users to log in to all of the supported applications on their Android devices without entering a password. The report doesn’t give any further information. However, a report by Ars Technica gives a detailed description on how the new feature will work along with more information on what users can expect from the Google I/O conference next week.
The report explains that some Android phones in the past have had fingerprint readers, but those were ‘OEM-created solutions’, which means that the fingerprint-scanner feature was created by the smartphone company itself. Google was working on a setup and enrollment process, fingerprint lock screen and “service to manage multiple clients that want to access the fingerprint HAL API”. This information came via he AOSP for Nexus 6 fingerprint sensor and an API for apps.
Even though companies like Samsung and Motorola have ventured into this technology, a Google-standardized API would further strengthen the Android ecosystem as many Google apps would support it. The report adds that Google Chrome could also allow users to sign into website with just a finger print and alongside, would make Google Wallet authentication much more secure.
