It is expected that Google would unveil their next mobile OS, the Android M, during its I/O 2015 conference next week as the company "accidentally" leaked details about their event schedules. The schedule showed a session named "A Fingerprint API ecosystem," which would be about fingerprint sensor support. If this turns exactly as it is, two Google Nexus 2015 devices would have fingerprint authentication, similar with Apple's Touch ID iPhone devices. Will it be "swipe" style?
Upon Android M's release, it was learned that it will bring "native fingerprint authentication." With this, users would be able to log in to all supported applications on Android devices without a need to enter a password.
Though Google declined to give any comments about this new functionality, the Android M leak spotted by ArsTechnica revealed that the company would be working on a fingerprint API. A fingerprint support was supposed to be included in the Motorola Nexus 6, but was removed because the sensor quality in the Nexus device was said to be unsatisfactory.
The proof that the fingerprint sensor was taken could be found in the previous commit that Google made, which plainly said, "shamu: remove fingerprint support." It was also assumed that the hardware was first included in a "prototype version" of the Google Nexus 6 and then was taken later in development.
Further, the fingerprint code that was supposed to be in the Lollipop OS of the Nexus 6 device can scan, enroll, and remove a fingerprint. The code can also use the scanner as a lockscreen, support a "swipe" style fingerprint reading, show an image to indicate which part of the finger would need to be scanned next, and support for multiple apps. However, the commit revealed that it was also removed. It said, "Hide fingerprint API until new API is ready."
Months have passed since the release of Lollipop and Motorola Nexus 6, and it seems Google is finally ready to put the fignerprint API in their upcoming Google Nexus 2015, now rumored to be two devices, running the Android M.
The Huawei Mate 8 and LG G4 are speculated to be references of the upcoming Nexus smartphones. The G4 does not have a fingerprint sensor, while the Mate 8 has it. With this, it is more likely that the Mate 8 would feature a fingerprint authentication. However, Google might tweak some hardware specifications of the G4 and have the fingerprint sensor included in it along the way.
If this turns out to be the case, the search engine company would have the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus (or iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus) as its toughest competitor.
Since Google did not give any comments about rumors, readers should take these with a grain of salt.
Will Google include fingerprint sensors in both devices? Will the Android M support the "swipe" style fingerprint reading? Send in your comments to let us know.
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