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Apple (AAPL) Seen Working on Optical Fingerprint and Facial Recognition Technologies - KGI

January 20, 2017 11:22 AM EST
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KGI analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) is developing new bio-recognition technologies to complement its full-screen (zero bezel) form factor design and to enhance transactions security via mobile device. Kuo said judging by content of Apple’s bio-recognition patents and future industry trends, they believe it is working on optical fingerprint and facial recognition technologies.

"We note that full-screen design and enhanced transaction security are currently two key trends of smartphone development," Kuo commented. "Notably, the existing ‘under glass’ design of fingerprint recognition doesn’t completely meet the requirements of full-screen form factor design. Instead, an ‘under panel’ placement is required to truly achieve a fullscreen design. As a result, we believe mainstream fingerprint recognition technology will switch from the current capacitive-type to optical-type. As for enhanced security, we think the fingerprint recognition system will ultimately be replaced by a facial recognition system. However, if the technical challenges cannot be overcome, we believe a combination of fingerprint and facial recognition is another possible solution."

Kuo said assuming development of the new technologies goes well, they note that it could mark a new paradigm shift for the application of
biometric identification in smartphones, and that the current capacitive fingerprint identification system of AuthenTec (US; acquired by Apple in 2012) may be replaced.



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