Google could be planning a native fingerprint sensor support for its next major Android update.
BuzzFeed reported that an announcement from Google will be made this week regarding this new feature, which is said to be incorporated to the much anticipated Android M. Citing their sources, the site stated that it is expected that the company will be making this huge statement during a keynote at the upcoming Google I/O annual developer conference in San Francisco.
Although Google declined to comment, there have already been rumors circulating as early as last year. With some manufacturers like Samsung already incorporating fingerprint sensors in their devices, most recently on the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge, it has been speculated that Google will be coming up with a full fingerprint sensor function with succeeding updates of the current Android Lollipop version.
It has also been speculated before launching the current-gen Nexus 6 smartphone that Google was working with Motorola for a fingerprint sensor design. However, the tech giant scrubbed the project toward the end of the development phase, saying that a native security feature using a fingerprint was not yet feasible.
Most tech observers note that with the company coming so close to coming out with a native biometric sensor feature, it follows that the completed development will be one of the key features of the upcoming major update.
If a fully functional fingerprint function comes native in the next major Android update, users can log in to all supported apps on their Android devices by just a fingertip, which is more convenient than entering a lengthy passcode or intricate security pattern design. It is also more secured than traditional passwords since the feature will be using the owner's unique biometric fingerprint to gain access to the device.
No details yet have been made regarding the much-awaited Android M, but it is speculated that Google will come out with the successor to Android Lollipop before the year ends.
