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Qualcomm’s 3D Sonic Max screen tech can handle dual fingerprint scanning

In-display fingerprint sensors on smartphones wasn’t a thing a couple of years ago, but now most flagship phones feature the technology. It has opened up more screen real estate and lead to the love ’em or hate ’em screen notches we now see on displays.

The latter isn’t changing anytime soon, but Qualcomm recently showcased an enhancement on the feature that could be rolled out on new devices in 2020. That feature is called 3D Sonic Max, and its major talking point is the fact that it can facilitate dual fingerprint scanning on screens.

This sensor, which is embedded beneath the phone’s screen is 17 times larger than the previous iteration, according to Qualcomm, which is currently making a number of mobile-focused announcements for its annual conference.

The firm notes that this new feature is designed to add an extra layer of authentication for user’s devices, although how you’d scan two fingers at once while operating the phone one-handed is unclear to us.

The best way we can figure is to register two fingerprints from digits on your non-dominate hand, and use your dominate hand to hold the device while performing the scanning.

It’s a rather simple but ingenious way of helping to secure a smartphone, especially as hackers trying to lift your fingerprint normally involves only one digit. Adding two to the mix that require being used simultaneously could prove effective then.

Qualcomm adds that the improved sensing technology behind 3D Sonic Max will also help against the issue of screen protectors “impeding” scanning at times, which too is helpful.

As for when we can see this feature in action, the firm is hopeful to have it running in new devices next year. Which devices precisely is unclear, but Samsung offerings are a definitely possibility, with the latest flagship devices already touting the previous generation of the tech.

With Qualcomm also working more closely with Apple, we could also see the feature port over to new iPhone devices too.

For now we’ll have to wait until 2020 rolls by to see which phone will be utilising the dual fingerprint scanning process.

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