Synaptics announces a multi-factor biometric engine at CES 2017-- a collaboration with security specialist KeyLemon incorporating both fingerprint and facial recognition.

Designed for smartphones, tablets and notebook PCs, the system allows users to unlock devices in multiple ways. It also adds more security for financial transactions and operations using sensitive information, as the two modes of authentication can be required. "Unique" AI can recognise between fake and actual fingers, while anti-spoofing tools can check for combinations of eye blinking and head movements.

"The Synaptics multi-factor fusion engine combines authentication scores from multiple biometrics to determine verification," the company says. "This increases overall system security as both fingerprint and facial factors have to meet minimum threshold requirements before authentication. In addition, the fusion engine improves usability as lower individual verification thresholds still result in greater security."

Sharp-eyed journalist Evan Blass (aka @evleaks) leaks details of the upcoming Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 chip ahead of CES 2017-- a mobile CPU designed to improve both battery life and 3D graphics.

The successor to the 821 processor, the 835 uses 40% less power while providing "up to a 27% performance increase" compared to previous chipsets. Built using a 10nm design featuring over 3 billion transistors, it combines a Kyro 280 CPU, Adreno 540 GPU and Hexagon DSP. According to Blas the 835 is ideal ideal for even thinner smartphones with larger batteries, and offers users with over a day's worth of talk time, 5 days of music playback and over 7 hours of 4K video streaming.

HMD Global announces a first device featuring the Nokia name-- the Nokia 150, a bare-bones feature phone near identical to the Nokia 216, the last device released by Microsoft bearing the brand.

Being a basic phone, the Nokia 150 does not offer much in terms of features. It has a 2.4-inch display, VGA camera, a battery offering up to 22 hours of talk time on a single charge, FM Radio, MP3 player and a choice of single- or dual-SIM connectivity. Production comes through Foxconn subsidiary FIH.

According to Barclays analysts citing Asian supply chain sources Apple plans to launch 3 iPad Pro models on March 2017-- refreshed versions of the 9.7- and 12.9-inch models, and a bezel-free 10.9-inch version.

As detailed in a research note obtained by MacRumors, the bezel-free design allows the 10.9-inch iPad Pro to be the same physical size as the current 9.7-inch tablet, meaning it has an edge-to-edge design and and possibly no Home button. Speaking of the smaller iPad Pro, the analysts add the 9.7-inch model will be relegated to "low-cost" status together with the 7.9-inch iPad mini, a device not getting a 2017 refresh.