Google working on fingerprint unlock feature for Chrome OS

Chromebook owners with the right hardware may be able to start using their fingerprints to access their laptops later this year.

According to a PCWorld report, Chrome Story recently spotted a new flag in Chrome OS Canary that discusses “Quick Unlock (Fingerprint).”

Fingerprint security features are also mentioned throughout the changelog for Chrome OS 58.0.3007.0 that was released to the dev channel on February 14.

Reports that Google was working on adding a new log-in method using fingerprint sensors first surfaced last September.

It is not apparent yet if Chrome OS fingerprint scanning will support third-party peripherals or if the hardware will have to be built into each Chromebook.

Chrome 58 is expected to roll out to all platforms on the stable channel in April.

Article Topics

access control  |  biometric sensors  |  biometrics  |  fingerprint biometrics  |  Google