You might not even need passwords on new devices.
Passwordless sign-ins are already a reality, but they can be cumbersome at times — and three of the largest tech companies believe they can reduce the friction. Apple, Google, and Microsoft are joining forces to expand support for the FIDO Alliance and World Wide Web Consortium’s password-free sign-in standard. You’ll be able to use FIDO authentication on a phone or tablet to sign into a nearby app or website, regardless of platform. Similarly, you’ll frequently have automatic access to your FIDO credentials without having to add every account on a given device, even if the hardware is brand new.
- iPhone owners in the United States can now use Apple’s Self Service Repair service.
- For La Liga broadcasts, Microsoft has created a goal probability metric.
The aim is to allow “end-to-end” passwordless sign-ins for apps and websites, not just at certain stages. You’d only need to use biometric scans (such as your face or finger) or a device PIN to sign in at every step. The effort will hopefully prevent successful phishing attacks that trick you into sharing passwords with hackers and scammers.
Apple, Google and Microsoft all plan to make the enhanced zero-password features available on their platforms throughout the “coming year.” You may have to wait for a significant operating system update to see the upgrade. The wait might be endurable, though, if passwords are far less necessary than they are today.
