Android M could natively support fingerprint authentication

Global search engine giant Google may finally include native support for fingerprint authentication in the upcoming Android M OS. It's indeed been a long time coming, but rumor has it that the next Android OS iteration (and subsequently the next Nexus device) may come with the feature.

Fingerprint authentication support was expected to arrive with Android Lollipop, but it was pulled off at the last moment. Moreover, the Google Nexus 6 was to come pre-loaded with a fingerprint sensor. Sadly, that did not happen as well.

Now that Android M is upon us, and is expected to be revealed at the upcoming Google I/O developer conference scheduled at the end of this month (May 28-29), we may finally have some headway into the feature.

If at all Android M includes native support for fingerprint authentication, this would make the feature mainstream across the entire Android ecosystem. Of course smartphone OEMs will have to make the feature accessible via hardware-based solutions, something that we've seen recently in the HTC One M9+ and the Samsung Galaxy S6.

While the One M9+ and the Galaxy S6 came with what you call OEM-created solutions. Only those companies that could think about it could give you one. Also, the feature would be limited to high-end premium handsets, as has been the case till now.

If Google allows fingerprint authentication on Android M, OEMs will just have to include a hardware button or something to make use of the feature, and the rest would be taken care of by the OS. In a nutshell, this would make the feature accessible universally. 

So what's the use of fingerprint authentication? While unlocking your device and keeping it secure through your unique fingerprint is the one obvious use, there's a lot more to it. Fingerprint authentication will go a long way in improving your privacy as well as use services like Google Wallet or Play Store more securely since only you or the person authenticated can make payments via these modes.

Moreover, the next step would be safe and secure fingerprint website logins on Google's Chrome browser.  

While a fingerprint sensor on every Android device would be a little unfair to ask for, Google providing native support will surely encourage more OEMs to jump on to the bandwagon. The Nexus 6 almost had it, but was stripped off of the feature at the last moment because Apple apparently bought the 'best' company in the business of making these sensors. 

Chances are the next Nexus device; to be made by Huawei could include a fingerprint sensor. But let's wait and watch. Google's I/O event is almost here.

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Source : indiatoday