619 million people using biometrics on mobile devices by the end of 2015: Goode

A major finding from a new series of market intelligence reports from Goode Intelligence finds that by the end of 2015 there will be 619 million people using biometrics on mobile devices.

“Apple has shown the market how to deploy biometrics into consumer electronic devices with its Touch ID fingerprint solution on the Apple 5s,” Alan Goode, founder of Goode Intelligence said. “Apple’s flagship smartphone has proved a very popular device with consumers, outselling the less expensive iPhone 5c that ships without Touch ID.  Apple’s CEO, Tim Cook, believes that the Apple 5s has proved so popular because Touch ID is a ‘major feature that has excited people’.”

According to Goode Intelligence, convenience will drive the next stage in the evolution of mobile device based fingerprint sensors, to create an “Invisible Touch” interface.  What this refers to specifically, is a fingerprint sensor embedded underneath or within a touch screen.

“Biometrics will continue their push into mainstream life by being placed in consumer electronic devices and products,” Alan Goode said. “Initial growth has been on smart mobile devices but is now starting to appear in other electronic devices including smart cards, Internet of Things connected devices including connected cities and buildings, smart TVs, household appliances, gaming systems and wearable computing (watch, glass, band, jewellery). This enables our identities to be conveniently proved across a wide range of connected devices to access cloud-based services.”

There is however, an important caution that Goode delivers.  “The market needs to learn from previous failures in attempting to deploy biometrics into electronic devices, such as laptops and notebook computers.

“Our experience proves that it is one thing having access to biometric sensors but, these sensors must be connected to services that are in demand.  Unlocking a device is simply not a compelling reason to equip it with a biometric sensor or biometric software service.”

Goode Intelligence reports that the growth in biometrics, especially in the consumer space, will be limited if services are not successfully linked to the biometric sensor. It believes that this can be achieved and there are positive signs that the enabling underlining infrastructure to support biometrics is being prepared for large-scale adoption.

“Biometrics is an exciting growth area,” Alan Goode said.  “We’ll be continuing to monitor and report on this in our new monthly reports, Fingerprint Biometrics which launched in December and Mobile and Wearable Biometrics which is launching in late February.”

Goode Intelligence has been monitoring biometric markets for quite some time now. Reported previously in BiometricUpdate.com, a new study from the group estimates that by 2017 there will be more than 990 million mobile devices with fingerprint sensors.

In addition, an earlier report suggested that by 2018, mobile users will generate nearly US$8.3 billion in revenue for the biometrics space.

Article Topics

consumer  |  fingerprint  |  Goode Intelligence  |  Invisible touch  |  mobile  |  research  |  revenue