Fingerprint scanners may be all the rage in device security, but Japanese hardware company Fujitsu thinks it has an even better hand to play: yours.
The company is working on palm readers for smartphones, tablets and laptops. The readers will scan an entire palm and use the unique network of veins crisscrossing it to identify approved users.
MORE: Apple's Touch ID: How Secure Is It?
Fujitsu's PalmSecure device is about the size of a regular fingerprint scanner (just a bit more than 1 inch x 1 inch) and uses beams of near-infrared light to read palms held about two inches above its surface. Because there's no need to touch the scanner, users won't leave traces, which Fujitsu says makes the scanner more secure and hygienic.
Fujitsu made a limited number of PalmSecure-equipped Arrows tablets for Japan's Fukuoka Financial Group. Fujitsu is rumored to also be looking into PalmSense-equipped smartphones, but has made no announcements thus far.
Fujitsu has been working on palm-scanning technology for a few years now. In September 2012, the company worked with Ogaki Kyoritsu Bank to install palm readers in 10 Japanese ATM machines.
Editor's note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly identified the name of Fujitsu's palm-scanning technology.
— Jill Scharr, Tom's Guide
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