3.4 billion users to have biometrics on mobile devices by 2018: report

A new study estimates that by 2018 an almost-unbelievable 3.4 billion users will have biometric features on their mobile devices, according to Goode Intelligence.

The report, Mobile Biometric Security – Market Forecast Report 2013 – 2018, said that by 2017, there will be over 990 million mobile devices, including smartphones, phablets and tablets, with fingerprint sensors.

Eventually other biometric modalities will be as important as fingerprint sensors on mobile devices, including voice and facial recognition, and eye and behavioral modalities, according to the report.

Recent analysis from Frost & Sullivan, reported in BiometricUpdate.com, has also found that fingerprint recognition will remain the leading biometric technology in consumer electronics for at least the new few years.

Mobile manufacturers will start by embedding fingerprint sensors in their flagship devices, and this trend will continue with cheaper mobile devices to become a common way of mobile authentication.

“We shall also see an evolution in fingerprint sensors, excluding Apple’s Touch ID, with Android devices, such as the HTC One max, initially supporting swipe sensor technology,” Alan Goode, author of the report and founder of Goode Intelligence said. “Throughout 2014 we’ll see touch sensors from manufacturers such as Idex, Fingerprint Cards and Validity Sensors (part of Synaptics) embedded in Android, Windows Phone and potentially BlackBerry devices. The next evolution will see ‘buttonless’ sensors being integrated into the touchscreen itself to make the experience even more frictionless and convenient.”

“It is key that mobile manufacturers leverage the benefits of fingerprint sensors and associate key services to the sensor – not just for unlocking the device but to approve payments and as part of multi-factor authentication (MFA) services that will, thanks to initiatives such as the FIDO Alliance, help to bring strong, convenient, multi-factor authentication to the masses. The industry will greatly benefit from allowing third-party access to the fingerprint sensor so app developers and service providers can leverage the benefits that this sensor can provide,” he said.

Biometrics on mobile devices will generate around $8.3 billion worth of revenue by 2018 for the biometrics industry, according to the report.

Article Topics

consumer adoption  |  fingerprint  |  Goode Intelligence  |  market-sizing  |  mobile  |  research  |  smartphone