The Lumia 940 might be the first with this feature

Apr 30, 2015 04:47 GMT  ·  By

Microsoft has big plans with Windows Phone and the Redmond-based company made lots of announcements earlier today during BUILD 2015 press conference.

Among the huge amount of details about Windows 10 that Microsoft provided to attendees and fans alike, there is one piece of information that confirms previous rumors that Windows Phone handsets might feature iris scanner.

Back in March a source close to the matter claimed Microsoft would add iris scanner to one or more of its Windows Phone handsets. At that time, the only smartphone mentioned to feature this particular piece of technology was Lumia 940, which wasn't even officially launched yet.

However, it looks like Microsoft plans to release “a selection of devices” that will include iris scanner, sometime in the next 12 months or so.

The information has been recently confirmed in a presentation on Microsoft Windows Hello technology that should offer users access to improved security features like biometric authentication.

According to Microsoft, “for facial or iris detection, Windows Hello uses a combination of special hardware and software to accurately verify it is you – not a picture of you or someone trying to impersonate you. The cameras use infrared technology to identify your face or iris and can recognize you in a variety of lighting conditions.”

Smartphones might not be the only ones to feature iris scanner

So, while the information was laid out into the open by Microsoft one month ago, it's only today that the Redmond-based company confirmed that it would put iris scanner into some of its Windows 10 devices.

Obviously, Lumia 940 might not be the only smartphone to feature extra security features, especially that Microsoft claims that “a selection of devices will be arriving to market within the next 12 months.”

We believe that Microsoft will add iris scanner to Windows 10 devices other than smartphones as well, so what do you think about the company's future plans?