Synaptics‘ new fingerprint authentication technology will make it possible for smartphone makers to design button-free handsets.
Synaptics said it can now read and authenticate fingerprints through glass greater than 200μm thick, which will let hardware companies hide the fingerprint sensor under the glass. Synaptics’ first-generation Natural ID fingerprint tech was limited to glass no greater than 100μm thick.
The company believes its new offering frees up device makers to create phones and tablets that don’t have buttons cluttering up the design. Most of the fingerprint sensors found on today’s handsets, such as the iPhone 6s, Galaxy S6, and Nexus 6P, rely on hardware buttons to contain the authentication module.
Synaptics says it is already sampling this new technology and expects to begin manufacturing in volume early next year.
