Moto X 2016 Might Have Fingerprint Scanner [Rumor]

[dgstorm]

The latest intel for the next generation Moto X suggests that Motorola might return to one of their older failed ideas. Supposedly, they are planning to include a fingerprint scanner on the 2016 Moto X. If you remember your mobile history, Motorola had the first fingerprint scanner for a smartphone on the Motorola Atrix. The implementation was a bit wonky, but that's probably just because it was a bit too far ahead of its time. That's likely the other reason the feature failed to make much of a splash at that time.

Now that mobile payment systems are a growing market, and every other OEM is putting fingerprint scanners in their smartphones, it seems wise for Moto to revisit this idea. In fact, considering that Android 6.0 Marshmallow has a highly functional dedicated API for fingerprint scanners, it seems almost criminal "not" to include it.

Of course, for now, it's just rumor, but we will keep you updated if we get confirmation. What do you folks think?

Source: Twitter

 

[Jonny Kansas]

I think they'd be foolish not to jump on that train. I actually thought it was a bit silly that this year's didn't have one, though I realize that they were trying their best to give consumers bang for their buck and keep costs down at the same time.

Now that it's officially supported by the OS though, it should definitely be included. I wonder how they'll implement it though.

Those of you with a Moto X, do you rest your finger in the "dimple" naturally? While that seems like the logical place to put it, I wonder if folks who upgrade will have a hard time remembering to keep their finger off of there when holding the device and considering a purchase on the Play Store with fingerprint authentication enabled. Though, that's admittedly a stretch, because you have to do at least a couple taps on the screen before you get to the authentication popup.

Still, I hope this rumor is true and I'm interested to see Moto's take on the placement. Though, if I were them, I'd contract the sensor out to whoever made this one in the 6P. No sense in reinventing something that already just plain works wonderfully a vast amount of the time.

 

[Sajo]

[QUOTE="Jonny Kansas, post: 2667854, member: 29890"...I wonder how they'll implement it though.

Those of you with a Moto X, do you rest your finger in the "dimple" naturally? While that seems like the logical place to put it, I wonder if folks who upgrade will have a hard time remembering to keep their finger off of there when holding the device and considering a purchase on the Play Store with fingerprint authentication enabled...[/QUOTE]

Good point @Jonny Kansas . I had not thought about that when I first read this. To answer your question: Yes. My finger always migrates to the dimple on my Turbo 2. It just feels natural. Now I am curious also to know how they will implement this. I sure would hate to lose my dimple on future Moto phones.

 

[Jonny Kansas]

It may not be as big of a deal as I'm making it out to be.

The finger scanner on my 6p is in relatively the same place. It's super handy for unlocking the device. But I don't find myself resting my finger there either.

Once the device is unlocked, I assume the scanner isn't active until an app calls for it. By the time you get there in the play store, you know you're about to purchase something. If I tap a finger that isn't setup on mine right now while it's unlocked, it doesn't vibrate to tell me it isn't recognized.

They could just make a scanner like this, but more dimpled & I think it'd be fine.

Sent from my Nexus 6P

 

[Sajo]

I guess we will find out next year. Maybe now is a good time to start a "Don't take away my dimple" campaign? Either way, if this is true it will make some folks happy; there has been some grumbling from some Moto owners that the current phones don't have it. It only makes sense to have it on 2016 phones.

 

[Jonny Kansas]

I was very surprised that this year's X didn't have a scanner. That was the one "compromise" I felt I'd be making if I got that after the Note 4, even though I hated the Note scanner.

Sent from my Nexus 6P

 

[liftedplane]

the scanner was what made me almost get the 6p, but that sale on the pure edition at amazon. I'm loving this thing. Coming from the note 2, just wow... like... damn android has gotten better. EVERYTHING is smoother, cleaner, faster. I'd love to have one, I'm just glad I've got an SD card slot to put my 64GB sd card in.