Some theme files have been ripped from BlackBerry OS 6, revealing what looks like indicators for fingerprint scanning. I’ve been curious about RIM implementing fingerprint scanning ever since they made the switch to optical trackpads. RIM had included APIs for biometrics back in OS 5, but I was told that was primarily for accessory manufacturers. Native fingerprint scanning would be a perfect fit for BlackBerry, which is obsessively focused on security, and a quick swipe would be a lot easier than punching in a PIN code every time you want to unlock your device.
The LG eXpo is the only recent handset out there that offers fingerprint scanning,and it is squarely aimed at enterprise, but I have no reason to think that if the feature is included and implemented seamlessly into the BlackBerry experience everyone is already familiar with, there’s no reason consumers wouldn’t use it.
We can only hope fingerprint scanning is a new feature that will be included in the BlackBerry Torch 9800 AT&T launch today; we have two of our editors at the New York event, so stick around to find out for sure if this feature made the cut.
P.S.: The core OS 6 theme was leaked, if any developers want to have some fun with the icons.
UPDATE: The BlackBerry Torch 8900 has been announced, and not a peep about fingerprint scanning. Maybe we’ll see it in a future OS 6 device?