There are several Android handsets that feature fingerprint scanning technology. However the software behind the technology is not by Google, but rather the OEM themselves meaning that it will be different across different devices, unlike Apple where Touch ID’s technology will be the same across the board.
However Google is looking to consolidate the fingerprint authentication software and if the reports are to be believed, Android M could come with native fingerprint authentication. This is according to reports from both ArsTechnica and BuzzFeed, both of whom have independently “confirmed” that such a feature will be arriving for Android M.
As pointed out by ArsTechnica, Google had almost brought the feature onto Android 5.0 Lollipop as evidenced by a report from last year in which references to the feature were made, although it was unclear as to why Google might have delayed the feature. It has also been pointed out that the fingerprint authentication API will be open to third-party developers who wish to take advantage of the security feature.
Granted OEMs could always continue to use their own solution, but having a standardized version across Android devices would go a long way in helping the Android ecosystem. We expect Android M to be revealed at Google I/O next week, so do check back with us then for the details.