Toshiba fingers biometrics for phones

3GSM 2007

Toshiba has introduced its first mobile phone handsets with built-in fingerprint scanners.

The G900 Portage and TS605 handsets have fingerprint scanners built-in to the back of the handsets and can be used as a replacement for Pins to secure the devices or as a mini-mouse to scroll through menus.

The technology has been transferred from Toshiba's laptop range but slimmed down to around 5mm to avoid making the phones too bulky.

An independent survey commissioned by Toshiba claimed that 90 per cent of businesses keep sensitive information on mobile devices, and one in five directors had lost more than one mobile device.

The top three locations for losing devices are taxis, at work and while out socialising with friends.

"This survey highlights a growing trend towards working on the move and the need for people to store sensitive information on mobile devices," said Peter Ford, marketing director at Toshiba's UK mobile communications division.

"Combined with a lack of security this constitutes a serious commercial threat to European business.

"This risk is especially acute given that the market for smart devices in Europe is predicted to almost triple in size over the next three years."

The G900 Portage also supports two-way remote control between the PC and phone via Bluetooth.

This function is intended to allow the phone to be used as a modem and controller of the PC, while also allowing the PC to compensate for the difficulties of typing on a mobile phone keyboard.

"For example you can use the phone to scroll through a PowerPoint presentation," said Andrea Seeger, business marketing manager at Toshiba's mobile communications division. "Alternatively you can type out and send lengthy texts from your PC."

No operators were announced at today's launch but Orange is already a regular Toshiba customer.

• 3GSM Special Report