Fingerprints tapped for payments apps and more, biometrics firms say

By Lulu Chang April 14, 2016

fingerprint biometrics huawei honor 7i sensor — Image used with permission by copyright holder

The humble fingerprint has come a long way since its days in the criminal database. Your most natural form of identification is unlocking smartphones, paying for purchases in Japan, but soon, hopes Sweden’s Fingerprint Cards (FPC), it will be used for much more. From payment to public transportation, FPC is looking into new ways to use biometric smart cards — cards that are activated with naught more than your fingerprint.

Whereas countries like Japan are turning to fingerprints to make purchases, FPC sees an even greater range of uses with biometric smart cards. According to the Swedish company, this new technology could help users access buildings and IT systems, or even grant them keyless entry to cars. Wearables, watches, and other smart bands could be used as a primary form of identification — indeed, FPC believes, the possibilities unlocked by biometrics are just about endless.

Recommended Videos

The company certainly seems to know what it’s talking about — last year, its share price skyrocketed by a stunning 1,600 percent following a huge uptick in demand for fingerprint sensors. Today, FPC’s market value sits at a comfortable $4.1 billion. The real draw, the firm and other tech advocates say, is the simplicity and security biometrics offer. While traditional credit cards and even the chip and PIN system have proven hackable, it seems that using your fingerprint may prove safer.

“Our ambition for smart cards, and all other segments, is that we shall continue to be number one,” FPC’s Chief Executive Jorgen Lantto told Reuters. And with the numbers it’s putting out, FPC should be able to. The company believes that the addressable market for biometric smart cards will hit 100 million in 2017 and surge to 500 million in 2018.

“We talk to a lot of players, and companies come to us. There is substance behind our numbers,” Lantto added, pointing to conversations his company has had with potential partners over the last several months.

So hold onto your fingerprints, friends. If FPC has its way, they’re about to really come in handy.

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Fascinated by the effects of technology on human interaction, Lulu believes that if her parents can use your new app…

Business

Intuit QuickBooks summer savings have us excited for bookkeeping and more

Intuit QuickBooks Online and Payroll Indepence Day deals used by business owner

Being honest, accounting, bookkeeping, and various administrative tasks aren't exactly what most people would call exciting, even if they own a business. It's something you have to do, but not that you necessarily want to do. But you absolutely have to stay on top of it; otherwise, things could get out of hand later, like when you're filing taxes or trying to calculate expenses. As a leader in small business fintech, Intuit QuickBooks is helping over 7 million customers worldwide do precisely that. From a startup to scaling up, the Intuit QuickBooks ecosystem delivers products and services that are a core component of small business growth. Accounting, payroll, payments, capital, and even marketing assistance via Mailchimp are just a few examples of what you can expect from a QuickBooks subscription. Thanks to its current Summer Sale, you can save a never-before-seen 70% off Intuit QuickBooks plans. That offer and these prices excite us for something that, typically, wouldn't be considered exciting.

These Intuit QuickBooks Summer Savings are unprecedented
This is the first time we've ever seen prices this low, and it may actually be the only time it happens. Time will tell, but the point is that you can save big on QuickBooks plans that you need for your business. The deal offers 70% off QuickBooks Online for your first three months. With Simple Start -- the base plan -- you get your first three months for just $9 per month instead of $30. That saves you $21 monthly for $63 across your initial three months of service. By comparison, the Essentials tier is only $18 per month instead of $60, and the Plus tier is only $27 per month instead of $90. If you want to splurge and go with Advanced, it's only $60 monthly for your first three months instead of $20h. Those are some incredible savings.

Branded Content

Grammarly should be your next AI writing partner for all things text

Grammarly-featured-image-with-creative

Not everyone is a writer, and that's okay. However, we do a lot of writing throughout our lives, from essays and school papers to dissertations, work reports, letters, emails, and beyond. Even with the advent of digital platforms, there's still a lot of writing to be done. But some tools can help significantly, like Grammarly.

Despite what the name espouses, Grammarly helps you with a whole lot more than just basic writing structure and grammar. That's thanks to an integrated AI writing assistant that can enhance your writing skills and improve the quality of the content you create. You'll get real-time suggestions about grammar, spelling errors, punctuation, and style. Ultimately, that leads to better writing from you with the complete confidence and clarity of a skilled artisan. Let's take a closer look at what Grammarly has to offer, well, everyone.

Computing

What is Microsoft Teams? How to use the collaboration app

A close-up of someone using Microsoft Teams on a laptop for a videoconference.

Online team collaboration is the new norm as companies spread their workforce across the globe. Gone are the days of primarily relying on group emails, as teams can now work together in real time using an instant chat-style interface, no matter where they are.

Using Microsoft Teams affords video conferencing, real-time discussions, document sharing and editing, and more for companies and corporations. It's one of many collaboration tools designed to bring company workers together in an online space. It’s not designed for communicating with family and friends, but for colleagues and clients.