For the most part, fingerprints are the de facto security option when it comes to smartphones, at least as far as biometrics are concerned. However we’re starting to see more manufacturers explore different options, such as Samsung with their iris scanner, and Apple with their facial recognition.
Now according to a report from 9to5Google, it appears that in a new commit to AOSP, it seems that there are hints that there could be native face authentication support coming to Android. Now we should note that Android has had facial recognition for quite a while now, but it is definitely not as complex or as secure as Apple’s Face ID.
However this new commit suggest that it could be more elaborate, although once again whether or not it’ll be able to match Apple’s Face ID technology remains to be seen. So what does this mean? Basically this means that with native face authentication built into Android, handset makers won’t need to resort to using their own systems if they’d rather not.
The next question is also when will we see the feature revealed? Google obviously made no mention of it during Google I/O 2018 where they shared more details about Android P, but as 9to5Google points out, if there is one place we might see the feature it could be in the Pixel 3 which should launch later this year, but we’ll have to wait and see.