Apple take note: Developers can use the Galaxy S5’s fingerprint scanner in apps, killing off passwords for good

Samsung has unleashed its software development kit for its freshly unveiled Galaxy S5 flagship, and it allows developers to take full advantage of the S5’s built-in fingerprint scanner

The iPhone 5s’ fingerprint scanner is closed off to developers and only works with Apple’s own apps, but Samsung’s latest move means that your fingerprint could kill off entering your password for good. Assuming you’ve got a Galaxy S5 that is.

The Galaxy S5 already has PayPal fingerprint scanning security backed into it, and the prospect of protecting sensitive information and logging into apps and services without nothing but our fingertips sounds very appealing.

We’re still not entirely sure exactly where fingerprint details will be stored. If they’re uploaded online each time you scan in then that will pose a security risk in itself, but we expect to find out how Samsung will tackle such challenges in the near future.

READ MORE: Samsung Galaxy S5 hands-on review

[Pocket-lint]

Esat Dedezade Contributor

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Esat has been a gadget fan ever since his tiny four-year-old brain was captivated by a sound-activated dancing sunflower. From there it was a natural progression to a Sega Mega Drive, a brief obsession with hedgehogs, and a love for all things tech. After 7 years as a writer and deputy editor for Stuff, Esat ventured out into the corporate world, spending three years as Editor of Microsoft's European News Centre. Now a freelance writer, his appetite for shiny gadgets has no bounds. Oh, and like all good human beings, he's very fond of cats.