Reuters/Kim Hong-Ji
Fingerprint readers and facial recognition techniques are good for adding a base level of security to your phone without sacrificing convenience. However, they have their limits. It can be hard to switch between methods on a whim, and dedicated intruders can get through if they either make you unlock your phone or develop convincing fakes. Synaptics thinks it has a solution: It's unveiling a "biometric fusion engine" that can combine results from face and fingerprint detection before letting you into a mobile device or PC. Ideally, this makes it easier to sign in even as it adds an extra layer of security.
On a basic level, this lets you choose whichever security method works best at a given moment. If it's the heart of winter and you'd rather not freeze your fingers, you don't have to think twice about using facial recognition instead. Things get clever when Synaptics uses both technologies at once, though. Your device could combine less-than-perfect results from the two sensors to make a decision, for instance. If you misplace your thumb but your eyes, you might be fine. And if you're accessing particularly sensitive data like your bank account, the fusion engine could require both sign-in methods to prove that it's really you.
It's not certain when you'll see the engine in shipping products. With that said, it's likely to be just a matter of time. Synaptics has a strong foothold in both the mobile and PC worlds, and its tech might be a strong selling point at a time when old-fashioned passwords are seemingly on the way out.
Click here to catch up on the latest news from CES 2017.
The humble selfie takes to the skies, and you can leave your phone in your pocket.
Dish's AirTV is a weird mashup of old-school and modern TV tech.
Before the turn of the century, innovation at its core was evolving at a relatively steady pace. However, over the past decade and a half, technology has drast...
Password managers like LastPass are the most secure way to generate and store passwords for all your favorite sites. And, if you want to make them a little easier to use, you can log into your LastPass vault instantaneously using just your fingerprint.
As most regular readers know, I’ve recently been able to enjoy a super-slick new Dell laptop—there’s just one small problem: my touchpad simply won’t scroll in Firefox!
Diamonds have always been associated with beauty, luxury, and high-end living. But now, thanks to a brand new American study, diamonds may play a crucial role...
It'll read bedtime stories and play soothing sounds if your child wakes up in the night.
Keys are so 20th century. A connected lock offers both security and flexibility, letting you control access to your home with your phone. And installation is easier than you think. Here's what you need to know.
Bridge cameras are styled like SLRs, but feature fixed, long zoom lenses. They're a solid choice for photographers who want a zoom range that can only be reached by carrying several lenses along with an SLR. These are the top performers in our tests.
The 4K Android TV-based streaming device 'integrates your streaming services in one place,' from Netflix to local news.
One of the reasons I write about tech is that for a freelance writer, tech is exceptionally important, at least in the home office. The importance of tech is re...
While we do what we can to protect our laptops, there are times when the keyboards get damaged no matter what precautions we take. Is it better to only replace the keys you need or the entire keyboard? Today’s SuperUser Q&A post has some helpful advice regarding a reader’s keyboard woes.
An upgraded version of Xbox One has been hoped for a long time, and finally, the launch of Xbox's second instalment is on the cards. With Xbox 2 Project Scorpio...
As people get older and older, they'll start to lose their balance. This can make residing alone incredibly dangerous. Couple this with mentally debilitating d...
Windows 10 gained a new pen settings panel with the Anniversary Update. If your device has a pen or another type of stylus, you can customize exactly how it works and what its buttons do from the Settings window.
Reuters/Kim Hong-Ji