Sagem Wireless to add fingerprint verification to new range of mobile phones

Sagem Wireless has formed a partnership with Upek to bring fingerprint identity capabilities to a range of new devices that it plans to launch later this year, including new Android-based mobile devices.

“Mobile operators, device manufacturers and application developers need identity management tools that are both convenient and secure to support the growth of mobile services such as application marketplaces, m-banking, m-commerce, mobile enterprise applications, and mobile productivity tools,” says Sagem Wireless.

“By offering an open, standards-based platform for mobile identity services, the strategic partnership between Sagem Wireless and Upek enables an ecosystem of operators, manufacturers and application developers to seamlessly utilise fingerprint identity capabilities to personalise mobile services and make mobile applications more secure, faster and easier to use,” the company explains.

Adding fingerprint identity solutions to mobile phones offers a range of benefits, says Sagem Wireless, such as:

  • Simplified user experience without any need to remember and re-type personal information such as usernames, passwords and account numbers. Users just employ a fast and simple touch gesture to identify themselves.
  • Quicker and easier purchases from mobile application marketplaces and on-line stores along with better protection against identity theft and piracy.
  • Faster and more secure mobile payments, mobile banking and other new mobile applications

“The emergence of new connected lifestyle devices is changing the way users interact with and consume mobile services,” explains Jerome Nadel, executive vice president of marketing and user experience at Sagem Wireless. “Both security and usability are critical to reducing perceptions of risk, improving convenience, and encouraging usage. Biometric solutions such as fingerprint sensors simplify the process of user identification, providing faster and more secure access to personalised services and transactions. Sagem Wireless will continue to integrate fingerprint biometrics in a range of our connected devices. We’re delighted to be working with Upek to incorporate their technology into some of our most exciting and game changing devices to come.”

“By developing the service and the device hand-in-hand, Sagem Wireless and Upek are helping to spur innovative applications that take advantage of the full potential of fingerprint ID capabilities,” adds Carl Temme, vice president of business development and strategic marketing at Upek.

The two companies will be demonstrating fingerprint identity capabilities for Android mobile applications on Sagem Wireless’ booth at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona from 15 to 18 February.

Next: Visit the NFCW Expo to find new suppliers and solutions