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Exciting new Galaxy Note 4 features uncovered in latest leak

Published Aug 26th, 2014 9:30AM EDT
Galaxy Note 4 Software Features: Fingerprint Sensor

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Samsung will unveil its next Android flagship at IFA 2014 in Berlin next week, but SamMobile continues to reveal more details about the upcoming Galaxy Note 4. After mentioning the Ultrasonic Cover case for the handset, and sharing camera-related hardware and software details, the publication has now received information about the phone’s fingerprint scanner.

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The Galaxy Note 4 will pack the same fingerprint sensor technology as the Galaxy S5 and the Galaxy Alpha, Synaptics’ Natural ID sensor, which will offer users the same kind of features available on the Galaxy S5 and the Galaxy Alpha, but also brand new ones.

In addition to Screen Lock, Private Mode, Samsung Account Verification and PayPal payments, Samsung will launch a Fingerprint Shortcuts feature and Web Sign-in mode.

Fingerprint Shortcuts will let users assign a different app to each registered fingerprint, so the app can be quickly launched from the lock screen, while Web Sign-in is supposed to allow users to easily log into various sites by associating log in information to their fingerprints.

Samsung’s Galaxy S5 fingerprint sensor has been criticized for the way it’s implemented, so hopefully the company will do a better job explaining how it’s supposed to work when it launches the Galaxy Note 4. SamMobile argues that the sensor works fine, but users have not been informed about how to correctly use it. Because the sensor has a component in the home button and one in the touchscreen on top of it, users should swipe their fingers across both of them for “flawless” results rather than simply touching the home button.

Chris Smith Senior Writer

Chris Smith has been covering consumer electronics ever since the iPhone revolutionized the industry in 2008. When he’s not writing about the most recent tech news for BGR, he brings his entertainment expertise to Marvel’s Cinematic Universe and other blockbuster franchises.

Outside of work, you’ll catch him streaming almost every new movie and TV show release as soon as it's available.