OEMs expect Windows' biometric system to increase adoption

Dec 21, 2016 09:31 GMT  ·  By

Microsoft is betting big on Windows Hello when it comes to new Windows 10 devices, and the PC market finally seems to embrace it as well, with more and more OEMs looking at this feature to boost security of their devices.

Offering advanced biometric authentication control, Windows Hello is likely to become more widely adopted in 2017, according to a new report from Digitimes, citing sources from the supply chain.

Specifically, while Dell is the number one company investing in Windows Hello, more PC makers are looking at this tech for their future devices, especially because Windows 10 becomes the operating system of choice for more buyers.

Adoption of Windows Hello is likely to increase next year, the report shows, but companies hope Microsoft will change the hardware requirements from two lenses to just one in order to help reduce costs.

Windows Hello, an essential Windows 10 feature

Windows Hello was first announced in March 2015 by Joe Belfiore, who previously was the go-to person for everything Windows Phone - the biometric authentication system is also available on smartphones running Windows 10 Mobile.

Belfiore announced at that time that “there will be plenty of new Windows 10 devices to choose from which will support Windows Hello,” and it appears that he was right. Although no specifics are available, nearly every Windows 10 device supports Windows Hello either with fingerprint readers or with infrared cameras developed to recognize your face or iris and then provide access to the desktop.

“We’re working closely with our hardware partners to deliver Windows Hello capable devices that will ship with Windows 10 and we are excited to announce that all OEM systems incorporating the Intel RealSense 3D Camera (F200) will support the facial unlock features of Windows Hello,” Belfiore announced at that time.

Windows 10 will receive a major update early next year with the Creators Update and Windows Hello could once again be improved, but until now, there is no sign of any intention to change hardware requirements that’d make the technology behind this feature more affordable.