Japan gets another Biometric NFC smartphone with new AuthenTec unit

Japan gets another Biometric NFC smartphone with new AuthenTec unit

Biometric sensors are due to become a big part of the security in our NFC smartphones and AuthenTec are arguably the leader in this field with their biometric fingerprint scanner units and software. In many ways, to see the future of NFC we need look no further than Japan where the technology has already hit a too-big-to-fail status. Biometric security is already used for NFC smartphones in Japan with countless units using AuthenTec biometric scanners and software.

A problem with some biometric security like facial recognition is that a simple photograph can trick sensors. Although fingerprint scanners are another component that needs to be added to an NFC smartphone, the technology is harder to deceive with common tricks.

Art Stewart, AuthenTec’s Vice President of Smart Sensor Solutions, told NFC Rumors, “Japan realized early on in their deployment of mobile payment infrastructure that security concerns would represent a barrier to adoption.  This first Android phone for Fujitsu-NTT DOCOMO continues to exploit smart sensor-based frictionless security, which further enhances the overall convenience of NFC mobile payment through a single gesture transaction.”

AuthenTec biometric fingerprint scanners have been featured in many Japanese NFC smartphones already

Fujitsu in particular have embraced AuthenTec units in many NFC smartphones, and so it comes as no real surprise that the firm is the first to feature the new AuthenTec AES850 in their brand new series REGZA T-01D. But what is the AuthenTec AES850, you ask? It’s a better, more advanced scanner that is smaller in dimensions than previous models, is waterproof and speeds up access to applications versus PIN numbers while adding security to consumers’ handsets. The AuthenTec AES850 is said to allow quick mobile wallet transactions via the new REGZA T-01D Android smartphone at more than 500,000 NFC mobile payment terminals in Japan. AuthenTec also said that the REGZA T-01D also incorporates AuthenTec’s DataDefender app, allowing users to lock and unlock favorite Android applications with one swipe of a finger across the AES850 smart sensor.

“This carries on AuthenTec’s long legacy in enabling effortless security for NFC mobile payment transactions in Japan, home of the world’s first mobile payment systems,” said Art Stewart, AuthenTec Vice President of Smart Sensor Solutions. “Our AES850 waterproof module offers the compact size, symmetry, durability and performance that smartphone makers want, plus effortless security and enhanced usability that enrich the user experience.”

Just this last week we played with the Tazpad, which houses an AuthenTec unit, and we especially loved how different fingerprints (from different fingers) could launch different applications and functions. It was only after playing with the Tazpad did we really see the efficiency features of fingerprint scanners and must admit before that purely thought of them as a security based solution. As we mentioned in our Tazpad hands-on review, the unit worked every time 100%, which certainly adds luster to the idea of having a fingerprint scanner in your NFC smartphone.

“We value our long-term relationship with mobile security leader AuthenTec and are pleased to incorporate their very small but capable sensor into our newest REGZA smartphone where it enhances user convenience and security,” said Katsumi Takada, Head of Mobile Phone Group of Fujitsu. “We have significantly expanded our smartphone lineup and appreciate the security and NFC expertise that AuthenTec brings to Fujitsu as we launch these mobile platforms inside and outside of Japan.”

REGZA T-01D NFC smartphone specifications that includes the AuthenTec AES850

We think everyone knows that a biometric sensor does not make a wonderful NFC smartphone on its own, so what are the specifications of this good looking Fujitsu REGZA T-01 NFC smartphone? We mentioned that it was an Android device, but this particular model currently features Gingerbread with no word at this point of an Ice Cream Sandwich upgrade.

Interestingly, Fujitsu has chosen the Ti OMAP 4430 processor clocked in at 1.2GHz. It’s an interesting choice because the Sharp NFC tablet we reported on a couple of months ago uses the same thinker with a 1GHz clock speed. The obligatory 1GB of RAM backs up that processor and HD screen featuring 720 x 1280 pixel resolution shows off video and photos. We don’t know the exact tech in that screen at this point, but we do know the camera unit captures video at 720p and the screen will also play back at that same resolution. Like most Fujitsu NFC smartphones in Japan the camera around back has a crazy powerful 13.1-megapixel shooter.

As far as the AuthenTec fingerprint scanner specification, this particular unit uses a 8.68mm x 8.68mm TouchStone II package. That unit delivers a 92 pixel by 8 pixel sensor array for 500 dot-per-inch (DPI) resolution scans. So, pretty svelte and it doesn’t take up a whole lot of space on the NFC smartphone where dimensions are always a huge consideration.

Biometric sensors in NFC smartphones is projected to grow in the next year or so. However, the real question is when are Fujitsu and AuthenTec (a Florida based company) going to bring NFC smartphones that feature biometric scanners state side? We have seen Fujitsu Windows Phone 7 devices but as yet are still waiting to see one that features an AuthenTec biometric fingerprint scanning unit.