AuthenTec (News - Alert), a provider of fingerprint authentication sensors and solutions to the high-volume PC, wireless device, and access control markets, has said that they joined the Symbian (News - Alert) Partner Network and have surpassed the 7 million shipment landmark for AuthenTec-enabled Symbian phones.

 

Their sensors take full advantage of The Power of Touch by utilizing the company's patented TruePrint technology to deliver the most convenient, reliable and cost-effective means available for enabling touch-powered features that extend beyond user authentication.

 

“We’re pleased to expand our long-standing relationship with AuthenTec to address a growing market for fingerprint-enabled mobile phones that combine Power of Touch functionality with Symbian OS v9.3,” said Mike Whittingham, Vice President Ecosystem Development, Symbian. “We look forward to working with them and expanding fingerprint sensor technologies that further enhance mobile phone capabilities, security and the user experience.”

 

The company says fourteen fingerprint-enabled phone models using AuthenTec’s TruePrint-based sensors have been released so far. That list includes NTT DOCOMO’s new Fujitsu FOMA F906i smartphone. And also every fingerprint-enabled device based on Symbian OS today uses an AuthenTec sensor.

 

Symbian has released their new operating system Symbian OS v9.3 specially designed for advanced feature handsets and smartphones. AuthenTec states that their fingerprint sensors work hand in hand with these devices by conveniently protecting both personal and corporate data, providing advanced user input control and enabling secure m-commerce transactions.

 

Eight handset manufacturers launched 13 new Symbian models (multiple variants not included) in Q1 2008, bringing the total number of models in the market to 154 with a total of 235 models shipped since the formation of Symbian.