New Samsung Phone unlocks only with your fingerprint

Humanity has been experimenting with biometric technologies ever since we first invented science fiction, and I can certainly see the appeal of owning devices that can only be accessed using your DNA. Now, it seems that we’re bringing these ideas to smartphone security: Samsung has announced that their newest Galaxy model will open with a fingerprint scanner, in a similar manner as Apple’s newest iPhone.

 
Main button/fingerprint scanner ensures only you have access to your phone 

The main button on the Galaxy S5, debuted at this year’s Mobile World Congress in sunny Barcelona—would that I was a smartphone engineer—will double as a fingerprint scanner, unlocking a dust and water-resistant phone that comes with “the world’s fastest” auto-focusing camera, according to its creators.

The model also comes with a “black and white mode,” developed by Samsung to save battery life by disabling everything but essential features, such as calls and texts, and limiting the power used by the phone’s screen. As I might as well tape my phone’s charger to my hand, I approve of that new feature nearly as much as the added biometric security.

With digital thievery apparently becoming the world’s favorite new pastime, Samsung and other tech giants are keenly aware that digital security is getting more and more important. The company’s promised biometrics enable users to have private access to their devices and also give them the great new option of storing sensitive data or information in peace, with the files accessible only through the fingerprint scanner. It’s called putting your phone in “private mode.”

 Furthermore, a press of your finger on the button and Samsung’s partnership with Paypal ensures that paying your bills is as easy as a single touch, and as hard to hack as your own fingerprint.

At the Mobile Congress, Samsung will also show off their two newest smartbands, the Gear and Gear 2 Neo, both of which are focused on fitness. According to BBC, these new smartwatches will use Tizen, the software Samsung is reportedly developing as an alternative system to Android. However, for now the Galaxy models will keep using Android software.

At any rate Samsung can still claim to be number one in the smartphone world, as they shipped over 452 million devices last year—nearly triple the amount that Apple did. Despite critics and company disappointment over the S4, people seem to be excited for the release of the newest model. I certainly am. There’s no word yet on when the Galaxy S5 will actually become commercially available, but I’ll keep you posted.  

Source BBC