Samsung Galaxy S8 said to use facial recognition technology for payments
Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S8 will include a facial recognition feature for mobile payments within months of its March 29th release, which could give the smartphone a competitive edge over Apple’s iPhone products, according to a report by Bloomberg citing people familiar with the matter.
The S8 will combine fingerprint, iris and facial detection to verify users accessing a range of mobile services including Samsung Pay, according to the sources who requested not to be identified about the private matter.
Samsung, which has declined to comment, is currently working with banks to help them adopt facial recognition systems in the next few months.
Previous Galaxy models have included a facial recognition feature to unlock the device, however, the S8 would be the first to leverage the technology to securely access financial payment applications.
According to the sources, Samsung has been trying to strengthen the accuracy rate of its facial recognition technology over the years.
Iris and facial recognition features can complement one another with smartphones relying on iris detection when there isn’t sufficient ambient light to recognize the user’ facial features.
However, facial recognition capabilities enable the smartphone to unlock faster and with greater accuracy.
The Galaxy S8 will also feature Samsung’s own voice-based Siri-like digital assistant, which was developed largely in-house, the people said.
Samsung gained the technology when it acquired artificial-intelligence software developer Viv Labs Inc in October. Despite this, the first version of the digital assistant software won’t contain too much of Viv Labs’ software.
Previously reported, leaked photos of the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S8 surfaced in January to reveal tempered glass screen protectors displaying nearly non-existent bezels.
Article Topics
authentication | biometrics | facial recognition | identity verification | mobile payment | Samsung | smartphones
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