August 28, 2013 – by Peter B. Counter
Today marks the launch of the first Android smartphone available in Korea to feature a finger sensor provided by Fingerprint Cards AB (FPC). The Vega LTE-A IM-A880S smartphone, available from Pantech through Korean operator stores, is the second mobile device to launch featuring FPC sensor technology in Asian market this month, with Fujitsu’s Disney-themed offering launching in Japan last week.
The launch is further evidence that FPC is committed to its previously stated intentions of expanding into the Asian markets, coming on the heels of yesterday’s announcement of a new design win from an anonymous Chinese smartphone manufacturer.
Calling the Korean market among the most advanced mobile markets, Fingerprint Cards president and CEO Johan Carlström commented, “We expect multiple launches in Korea and other parts of Asia during the rest of 2013 and beyond.”
Fingerprint sensors, despite requiring additional integrated hardware, are driving the mobile biometrics market forward and it is expected that secure mobile payment solutions will be quick to follow. The heightened interest in fingerprint biometrics that resulted from rumors that the next iPhone model will contain a native finger sensor in its home button gave a boost to FPC stock recently, and with the rate of adoption being seen now in Asia, it’s becoming apparent that this is going to be the next big thing in smartphones.
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