Apple is about to unveil a brand-new iPhone app of its own, and it will change how people use the device, and the internet. It’s an app called Passwords, which will be fully integrated into the iPhone. If it’s done well, it could be transformational for iPhone users.
This news comes from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, who claims that the app will be one of the items on the agenda for this year’s World Wide Developers Conference, which kicks off at 10 a.m. Pacific, this coming Monday, June 10.
Passwords will also be available for the iPad and Mac, and “can generate passwords and keep track of them,” according to people familiar with the situation, Gurman says.
It’s a development of the current (and excellent) iCloud Keychain feature which lets users sync passwords and account information seamlessly between devices. While it’s now buried in the system’s settings, this will be a dedicated app, which may encourage people to use passwords more, and use them better.
Right now, there are some highly effective password managers available, none better, I’d say, than 1Password, which matches a sublimely easy user interface with strong security and reliability. I am a big fan of 1Password and, for sure, whatever Apple announces, I’ll still keep using it as well.
But Apple’s app will likely be free, and decent password managers usually charge a subscription, which could be a challenge to keep subscribers.
Apple will lalow users to import passwords from rival services, it’s believed, which may encourage a rush to Passwords of Gadarene proportions.
The app will be designed usefully, Gurman says: “The app features a list of user logins and splits details into different categories, such as accounts, Wi-Fi networks and Passkeys, an Apple-promoted password replacement that relies on Face ID and Touch ID. Like most password managers, the data can be auto-filled into websites and apps when a user goes to log in. The software will also work on the Vision Pro headset and Windows computers. And it can support verification codes and serve as an authentication app similar to Google Authenticator.”
Apple will be leveraging its reputation for security and privacy, as well as its gift for outstanding user experiences.
More as we have it.
