Google ‘Evaluating’ Firmware Update For Nexus 6P, 5X To Add Fingerprint Gestures

BY

Published 2 Nov 2016

NSFW AI Why trust Greenbot

We maintain a strict editorial policy dedicated to factual accuracy, relevance, and impartiality. Our content is written and edited by top industry professionals with first-hand experience. The content undergoes thorough review by experienced editors to guarantee and adherence to the highest standards of reporting and publishing.

Disclosure

nexus-5x-back

Google introduced a very simple but handy fingerprint scanner gesture on the Pixel and Pixel XL that allows one to quickly bring up the notification bar by swiping down on the sensor. When the Pixel and Pixel XL were torn down by iFixit, it was revealed that the handsets share the same fingerprint sensor as the ones found on the Nexus 6P and Nexus 5X. 

This bummed 6P and 5X owners that despite featuring the same fingerprint scanner, Google won’t be bringing this new fingerprint gestures to the handsets. As a solace to disappointed Nexus 5X and 6P owners, a Googler revealed on Reddit that despite featuring the same fingerprint scanner, both run on different firmware versions. The new firmware version on the Pixel’s fingerprint scanner makes it possible to add support for fingerprint gestures.

Now, when contacted by Android Police, a Google PR told the publication that the company is now “evaluating” a firmware update for the Nexus 6P and Nexus 5X to add fingerprint gestures to them. Again, Google has not confirmed that it is going to add fingerprint gestures support to its 2015 Nexus handsets, but it is merely “evaluating” it. Whether or not the company goes ahead with the firmware update will depend on the results of its evaluation, which includes a bunch of factors like the cost of testing and rolling out such a firmware update.

[Via Android Police]