Google to likely add support for facial recognition sensors with Android Q

Software-based facial recognition has been around on Android smartphones for over a year now. But apart from a handful of smartphones, very few Android phones feature secure native facial recognition. Think Apple’s Face ID rather than Android’s existing ‘Trusted Face’ system. [caption id=“attachment_5969491” align=“alignnone” width=“1024”] Face ID on the iPhone X. Image[/caption] This might finally change with Android Q. As per a discovery by XDADevelopers, Google may finally add support for native facial recognition with Android Q. In other words, the find indicates that Android Q will likely have support for dedicated facial recognition sensors, rather than the current front-facing camera-based solutions. This will make it much simpler for Android OEMs to implement sensors. This also means that we will likely see Android One smartphones running Android Q feature facial recognition sensors in the future. The report also adds that similar to existing biometric authentication methods, the new facial recognition will fall back onto a PIN, password, or pattern as backup. 9to5Google also noticed that it interfaces with the same biometric dialog rolled out in Android Pie. As a result, this new system will likely be able to be used for purchases, as well, which is an added bonus.