Goode Intelligence: 990 million mobile devices to have fingerprint sensors by 2017
04 December, 2013
category: Biometrics, Corporate, Digital ID
Goode Intelligence has published a report predicting that the global market for mobile devices – smart phones, phablets and tablets – with fingerprint sensor technology will exceed 990 million by the year 2017.
Fingerprint sensors are expected to be a common feature in mobile devices, and according to Goode’s “Mobile Biometric Security – Market Forecast Report 2013 – 2018,” the number of fingerprint-enabled devices will likely see continued growth by year’s end 2018 at which point figures are expected surpass the 1 billion mark.
Goode’s report explains that mobile manufacturers will start by embedding fingerprint sensors in their flagship smart phone, phablet and tablet offerings. Starting in 2015, however, Goode believes that biometrics sensors will spread to cheaper mobile devices en route to a common means of authentication on the mobile platform.
“We shall also see an evolution in fingerprint sensors, excluding Apple’s Touch ID, with Android devices like the HTC One max, initially supporting swipe sensor technology,” explains Alan Goode, founder of Goode Intelligence and author of the report. “Throughout 2014 we’ll see touch sensors from manufacturers such as Idex, Fingerprint Cards and Validity Sensors (part of Synaptics) embedded in Android, Windows Phone and BlackBerry devices.”
Goode expects the next evolution in mobile biometrics will come in the form of buttonless sensors integrated into the touchscreen of a device, a move that will make the experience even more seamless and convenient.
“It is key that mobile manufacturers leverage the benefits of fingerprint sensors and associate key services to the sensor – not just for unlocking the device but to approve payments and as part of multi-factor authentication services that will, thanks to initiatives such as the FIDO Alliance, help to bring strong, convenient, multi-factor authentication to the masses,” says Goode. “The industry will greatly benefit from allowing third-party access to the fingerprint sensor so app developers and service providers can leverage the benefits that this sensor can provide.”
