Synaptics TouchPads to work with Windows Hello

Synaptics, a developer of human interface solutions based on touch, display, and biometrics, announced in a press release that they are working with Microsoft to bring biometric fingerprint authentication directly into TouchPads.

The new TouchPads would be able to read your fingerprint to enable Windows 10’s new biometric login feature Windows Hello, which aims to eliminate the use of passwords by replacing them with either fingerprints, facial recognition, or iris scanning. In the press release that was spotted by Windows Central, Synaptics explains this new collaboration with Microsoft to provide fingerprint scanning TouchPads to OEMs by saying:

“Synaptics’ advanced image sensing technology and drivers are fully certified with Microsoft’s Precision Touchpad (PTP) specification empowering OEMs with Windows 10-ready Synaptics products. Windows 10 users will benefit from Synaptics’ industry-leading precision TouchPad™ technology, and SecurePad™, the industry’s only solution to integrate secure biometric fingerprint ID technology directly into the TouchPad… Fingerprint authentication through Windows Hello and subsequent access to apps and online services through Microsoft Passport is far more convenient than typing a password and infinitely more secure.”

While the press release seems to imply that this would only be enabled through new hardware, it quite possibly could be much simpler, if not cheaper, for OEMs to install new fingerprint sensing TouchPads over Intel RealSense 3D cameras and other biometric scanners on future devices. This could lead to a new range of Windows Hello ready laptops and 2 in 1s, among other devices, being able to come to market in a more widespread effort by OEMs, and also giving consumers more options of what biometric login feature they would prefer.

With passwords generally being most people’s weakest link in their digital security, hopefully Windows Hello and partnerships with Synaptics and OEMs enables more options for superior alternatives to the traditional password.

What do you think of Windows Hello and replacing the password with biometrics? Let us know in the comments section below.