Copycat Samsung Blames their US Fingerprint Sensor Partner for their Delay in Delivering a Solution for the Galaxy Note 3
In September we posted a report titled "Samsung Fails to Deliver a Fingerprint Scanner for the Note 3," where we clearly reported that Samsung failed to deliver a fingerprint scanner that was highly anticipated. Later that month we posted a secondary report titled "Samsung and LG on the Run to Integrate Inferior Fingerprint Technology into their Somewhat Smartphones," where we
noted that the swipe type of fingerprint scanner "has a lower recognition rate than the area type" of scanner. We further noted that "Android OEM's will now scramble to use technology from Korea's CrucialTec." Well, today the Korean press is confirming that very point. Samsung was so fit to be tied that Apple pulled off a gigantic innovative leap over them with Touch ID that they're now telling the press that it wasn't their fault that they're late in delivering a fingerprint scanner. It's the fault of their US fingerprint sensor partner. Ha! – I love it: more Samsung Whining.
Public attention in Korea is now focused on when Samsung will introduce fingerprint recognition technology on their smartphones. The Korean press notes that "Its powerful competitor Apple put the fingerprint recognition security system in the 'iPhone 5S" and that tiny HTC will be implementing a fingerprint recognition function in the next-generation premium smartphone "One Max."
It was acknowledged late yesterday that Samsung is now considering finishing development of their new fingerprint recognition system by the end of this year, and adopting fingerprint recognition in the next smartphone model to be released at the end of the year.
Existing part suppliers such as CrucialTec and Parton participated in the development of the fingerprint recognition module. As Samsung Electronics is developing a fingerprint recognition module independently, depending on performance, the proportion of self-supply and vendor supply will vary.
Through a leak, Samsung got another whine in as to why they failed to deliver a fingerprint scanner for the Note 3 that debuted last month. The Korean report states that "Originally, Samsung Electronics planned to adopt the fingerprint recognition function at the same time as the launch of the Galaxy Note 3. But as the US Validity Chip, the developer of the fingerprint recognition sensor, failed to pass the reliability test, this function was eliminated at the last minute."
Another prominent question is where Samsung will place their fingerprint recognition sensor. Apple, which applied the fingerprint recognition technology ahead of Samsung, put the fingerprint recognition function in the Home button of the iPhone 5S, whereas Pantech put this function on the rear side. Samsung Electronics does not have much chance to differentiate its products from those of competitors in terms of user interface.
A fingerprint recognition industry official had noted in the report that "It is not technologically easy to put the fingerprint recognition function on the side of the terminal because of the size of the finger. Be that as it may, putting it in the same place as competitive products cannot but smack of imitation." He explained how hard Samsung is trying to find an answer.
Hmm, let me see, perhaps they'll go with one of their latest redesigned smartphone with … what? Yes, an Apple styled Home button. Then again, I'm not sure that they'd be that stupid. In the end, time will tell how it pans out for Samsung's plans to rush a fingerprint scanner to market this year. But for now, Apple gets the last laugh this time around and we're all laughing with them.
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Wait, samsung had reliability tests that failed? The fingerprint sensor must have been reallyreallyreally bad.
Posted by: applefanboy | October 11, 2013 at 12:00 AM
Samsung should copy anything they think worthwhile and can get away with. Kudos if they do, fools if they don't.
Samsung should copy Apple in another way. Why give Apple free press by talking about a missing they don't have? Apple doesn't comment on features where they're behind one and quietly works on them until its ready.
Posted by: Nevermark | October 10, 2013 at 08:43 PM
I have always been impressed that Apple just says no to adding technology to the iPhone and iPad just to have technology! Even when Apple was being shredded for not having NFC, Apple went its own way. Apple never said it would put NFC in an iPhone or iPad just because other companies had NFC. Even if Samsung and/ or LG had gotten their fingerprint sensors working before Apple, would they have had a problem to solve? Using the sensor just to log in is not enough for me. I am enjoying making purchases on my iPhone 5s in iTunes, the App Store and iBookstore.
I am looking forward to seeing HTC's fingerprint offering. What will set it apart from Touch ID? Will its customers be able to just log in or will they be able to make purchases, too? Will it be easy to setup and use? Will it protect fingerprint information securely? I do not recall the Qualcomm Snapdragon microprocessor having a secure enclave that can be used to securely store anything. And, will sleuths around the world rush to crack it as they did Apple?
Posted by: James | October 10, 2013 at 06:02 PM
Anything goes? Well it may seem that way and it extends to what Congress is doing right now - just disregard every rule if you don't like it.
But Apple does have a number of patents and we'll see if Samsung has some originality or not. The point being, of course, that Samsung is a squirming whiner passing the buck for their problems. Copying Apple ... that's just a given.
Posted by: Jack Purcher | October 10, 2013 at 05:50 PM
Samsung can do whatever it wants. There's no point in Samsung being ashamed of copying everything as Apple does it. It's a business. A business is supposed to make money and anything goes.
Posted by: Constable Odo | October 10, 2013 at 05:33 PM
Hi-LARIOUS.
Posted by: Tom | October 10, 2013 at 04:29 PM