That’s what most iPhone and iPad owners cite when they explain why they bought their device. Being part of Apple AAPL -0.86%’s ecosystem is a massive draw for many, but for Apple’s future Touch ID and its intrinsic role in security and finance offers a bigger differentiator than the subjective arguments about iOS vs Android. And now Samsung is going to copy it.
Ever reliable Samsung specialist site SamMobile reports that a Touch
ID clone is going to be front and center in the company’s upcoming (and
radically redesigned) Galaxy S6. Samsung has been here before with a
wholly rubbish swipe-based fingerprint reader, but it is now switching
to a touch-based unit as used in current iPhones and iPads.
Touch is both more accurate and convenient than swipe as it can see a
larger area of your thumb all in one go. To accommodate it is alleged
that the Galaxy S6 home button will enlarged. This could prove a
controversial decision given the growing trend in Android phones to make
top and bottom bezels as narrow as possible.
Still it appears Samsung is going all in with the new sensor and out the box SamMobile claims it will offer the following features:
- Fingerprint Unlock: Verifies the user’s identity and unlocks the device
- Web sign-in: Allows users to sign into websites using fingerprints
- Verify Samsung Account: Verifies the user’s identity when purchasing content in Samsung services
- Private Mode: It’s not specifically a fingerprint-exclusive feature, but allows user to choose fingerprint as an unlock method
- Pay with PayPal: Allows users to make quick and secure payments via their PayPal account using their registered fingerprints
