Missing the Mark: The Top Smartwatch Features You’re Still Waiting For in 2024

Make Security Easier for Users, Not Another Hurdle

When it comes to smartwatches, we’re expected to store sensitive information such as credit card details and passwords. As a result, an easy way to lock and unlock our watches becomes crucial. Even the best smartwatches resort to PIN-based systems, which can be frustrating and inconvenient, especially when dealing with tiny screens. The ideal solution would be a faster, alternative authentication method, like a smartwatch fingerprint sensor.

Are Smartwatch Fingerprint Sensors Ready for Prime Time?

Akin to small smartphones, smartwatches now hold vast amounts of our personal data. They’ve gained impressive features such as fitness tracking and smart capabilities, but their authentication methods remain stuck in the past. Fingerprint sensors have matured on smartphones, but are they ready for smartwatches?

Challenges and Benefits

There are several reasons why we haven’t yet seen smartwatch fingerprint sensors. Despite shrinking in size, the modules may still be an issue. Fingerprint sensors are designed for smartphones, which offer much more internal space. To facilitate their inclusion, manufacturers would need to find innovative ways to shrink the size of the sensors or expand the watch itself. None of these solutions are particularly attractive.

The Elephant in the Room: Power Consumption

Any additional component introduced to a smartwatch will require power to operate. Despite the efficiency gains we’ve seen with Wear OS, smartwatch batteries continue to struggle. Even the latest devices, such as the Pixel Watch, can only manage two days of battery life. The introduction of a fingerprint sensor would undoubtedly drain the battery further.

The Case for Smartwatch Fingerprint Sensors

Despite these issues, I believe that smartwatch fingerprint sensors have a place on modern devices. I dream of the day when smartwatches can be unlocked with ease, just like smartphones. Maybe in the future, biosignals and subdermal data will be sufficient to unlock our devices.

Alternative Solutions

Another potential solution is to automatically unlock our smartwatches when they’re near their partnered phone, as I wrote about in a previous feature. This would allow for seamless pairing and greatly reduce the need for PINs and passwords.

Conclusion

I’m disappointed that smartwatch fingerprint sensors haven’t yet been implemented. While there are challenges to be addressed, I’m hopeful that manufacturers will find solutions to these issues in the year ahead.