The Samsung Galaxy Note 4 already leaked extensively ahead of its Sept. 3 debut, and a new report now offers more information on the device's fingerprint scanner.
Samsung has already confirmed that its next-generation flagship phablet is ready to make an imminent debut early next month, on Sept. 3, but leaks keep flowing in anticipation of the big launch.
As the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 is one of the most highly-anticipated devices of this year, the rumor mill is going into overdrive trying to paint a picture of what to expect. All sorts of reports already revealed most aspects of the upcoming device, and the latest one now focuses on the fingerprint reader.
The latest leak comes from SamMobile, which promised to gradually reveal exclusive information about the Samsung Galaxy Note 4. After offering intriguing details about the phablet's camera, the publication is now at it again.
"Our credible source reports, the Galaxy Note 4 will sport Synaptics' Natural ID solution, just like the Galaxy S5 and Galaxy Alpha. Many aren't aware of the technologies which come bundled with Synaptics' Natural ID solution, one of those is LiveFlex," SamMobile reports. "This technology allows the separation of the fingerprint sensing element from the fingerprint controller integrated circuit. Samsung uses this technology to split the fingerprint sensor into two parts, one part is incorporated into the home button, while the other part takes input from the main touchscreen, and both are used simultaneously to get an ID loaded. The sensor is compliant with FIDO, as well."
According to SamMobile, the fingerprint authentication features that will grace the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 will include all of the functionality found on the Galaxy S5, as well as some new features.
The Samsung Galaxy Note 4 will reportedly include Screen Lock, Private Mode, Samsung Account Verification, as well as PayPal Payments, all of which are features already found on the Galaxy S5 and Galaxy Alpha smartphones. These features are enabled by the same Synaptics Natural ID swipe-based sensor.
In addition to these features, however, the Galaxy Note 4 will also come with some new ones, including Fingerprint Shortcuts. This new feature will allow users to assign a shortcut to a specific app or functionality for easier access and more convenience. Swiping an index finger, for instance, could quickly open the camera app, or some other shortcut you've set.
SamMobile's source also mentioned another new feature called Web Sign-in, which will reportedly enable users to match their credentials to their fingerprint so they can log into compatible web services with the swipe a finger. This would not be something unprecedented, as Samsung already offered similar functionality with LastPass, but this purported Web Sign-In could extend the feature to more websites and third-party services. Nevertheless, it's expected to work only with select services, not all of them.
It's all still in the rumor state at this point and it is highly recommended to take this report with a grain of salt for now, but we'll learn all there is to learn about the new Samsung Galaxy Note 4 soon enough, on Sept. 3.
