Skip to main content

Leak shows potential multi-function fingerprint scanner on the HTC One Max

HTC One Fingerprint Scanner Leak
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Check out our review of the HTC One Max smartphone.

Could HTC one-up Apple’s attempt at integrating a fingerprint scanner into the iPhone 5S? Or should that be ten-up? You’ve probably read the rumor reports suggesting a fingerprint reader could be fitted to the back of HTC’s One Max, and thanks to various leaked photos, it’s looking increasingly likely to be one of the phone’s primary selling points.

Recommended Videos

However, while we may have seen what looks like a scanner, we’ve not heard what it will do. Apple’s doesn’t do much other than unlock the phone and authorize iTunes payments, but the tech is capable of more. What looks to be an image taken from the HTC One Max’s user manual shows the scanner may be able to read the prints on all your fingers, and the next logical step is for all your fingers to activate a different function on the phone.

HTC One Max SpottedWe’ve seen this type of functionality before, after spending some time with CrucialTec at Mobile World Congress. We saw how each of our ten fingers could be assigned to features such as opening the camera app, launching secure apps, and even encrypting sensitive files. At the time, CrucialTec told us its scanner had been licensed by an unnamed company, and that it would make an appearance during the summer. It’s past that time now, but we’re also pretty sure the HTC One Max has seen a few delays, so there’s a chance HTC will use CrucialTec’s system. If not, then it could use one which performs in a similar way.

In related HTC One Max news, a picture has been posted on the Chinese social network Sina Weibo, supposedly showing someone using the device itself. Apparently, it was taken over their shoulder, and perhaps without their knowledge, and it does indeed show what looks like a massive HTC phone. It’s difficult to know for sure how big it is though, as the owner’s hands may be very small.

HTC has confirmed it will be holding a pair of launch events on October 16 and October 18 in Hong Kong and Taiwan, and the rumor is we’ll be seeing the One Max’s announcement on October 15.

Andy Boxall
Andy is a Senior Writer at Digital Trends, where he concentrates on mobile technology, a subject he has written about for…
Everything you need to know about the OnePlus 13
Official OnePlus 13 product renders showing rear panel colors.

OnePlus is an excellent brand that offers powerful flagship phones at a great value compared to some of its competitors. We followed every rumor about the OnePlus 13 for months, but now it's here — and it's everything we hoped for. It might not be available in the Western market yet, but it will be soon.

So, what makes the OnePlus 13 so special? Here's everything you need to know about OnePlus' latest flagship.
When is the OnePlus 13 being released?

Read more
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite vs. MediaTek Dimensity 9400: the race is on
Comparison of Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite and MediaTek Dimensity 9400 processors.

The flagship mobile silicon race has entered its next phase, one that will dictate the trajectory of Android hardware heading into 2025. Merely weeks after MediaTek wowed us with the Dimensity 9400 system on a chip (SoC), Qualcomm also pulled a surprise with the reveal of the Snapdragon 8 Elite.

But this time around, the battle is not as straightforward. Where MediaTek is working closely with Arm and adopting its latest CPU and graphics innovations, Qualcomm has firmly put its faith in custom cores. These are no ordinary cores, but a next-gen iteration of the same fundamental tech stack that powers Windows on ARM laptops.

Read more
Discolored line on your new Kindle? You aren’t alone
Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition on a table.

The new Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition is the first full-color e-reader, and a lot of bookworms couldn't wait to get their hands on it. Sadly, many people are reporting the display has a discolored yellow area at the bottom of the screen. The problem is so widespread that the Kindle Colorsoft dropped to an average review rating of 2.6 out of 5, although it does remain the bestselling e-book reader at the moment.

The cause of the discoloration isn't clear. Some users report that it only happens when using the edge lighting feature on the Kindle, while others say it appeared after a software update. Either way, the yellowing is a problem, especially on a device that Amazon has marketed as being great for comics and graphic novel fans. It's hard to enjoy the colorwork in a comic when it's distorted.

Read more