Sneak peek: 1Password iPhone pics
We stumbled upon some preview pictures of 1Password for the iPhone (see our WWDC chat with Agile Web Solutions), which were deleted almost as quickly as they surfaced on Dave Teare's photostream. Since we are, for the moment, playing by the rules of finders, keepers, we (gently) persuaded Dave to give us a little more info on what we were seeing.
It looks like the PIN field shown will allow for quick access to "less sensitive" information, such as your Digg or Flickr logins. For more secure sites, such as your bank account, the usual Master Password is implemented. Dave says they considered using gestures and other creative methods for unlocking, but in the end a "PIN feels more natural and is a well-understood concept, and you can't beat a real password for security."
Interesting to note is that the 1Password iPhone application will, itself, be a browser. Because of Apple's rules regarding "hacking" existing applications, they couldn't modify Safari to integrate 1Password. But Dave says that they're adding some "cool features" that will "make users not want to use Safari directly anyway." Personally, I'm more than willing to switch browsers for added security and convenience.
It looks like the 1Password team is going to miss the big App Store opening day, but they plan to be in there shortly after.
Gallery: 1Password iPhone sneak peek
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Rubinnz said 8:06AM on 7-08-2008
It's own Browser? That's pretty cool. It could possibly pave the way for Firefox or Opera to release there own mobile browsers for the iPhone. Theoretically, with options built in-to the browser itself, such as Flash, so long as it was self contained within that browser only.
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JR said 8:13AM on 7-08-2008
Not liking the browser idea.. I realize there's no way around this, but I can see one major problem:
1) When you open a link from another application, it won't open 1password (I don't believe you can change the "default browser"). Since there's no copy and paste, if you're opening a link to a page where you need to login, you will need to remember that URL, exit Safari, open 1password and retype the address. PITA.
I'm a huge 1password fan and have bought licenses for myself and family. I believe it's actually one of the top 5 mac apps available and I wouldn't be caught dead using OSX without it. However, if this is the path they chose to go down for the iPhone, I probably just won't get it.
FWIW, the current implementation to sync a javascript encoded bookmark into Safari works just fine. Hope it stays.
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Roustem said 9:06AM on 7-08-2008
JR, don't worry, we have this covered as well.
You won't have to re-type the url to switch between Safari and 1Password.
Ed said 8:50AM on 7-08-2008
Uh-oh, not a good idea re separate browser. I hope this is just one of those quirky ideas from these guys (like the visual licenses), and doesn't actually make the final cut
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Roustem said 9:33AM on 7-08-2008
Ed, visual licenses did make the cut. Although they were recently replaced by regular text licenses ;)
Unfortunately, it was the only way to get it done since there so many restrictions on what the 3rd party application can do.
Also, it worked well in our internal testing. The iPhone usage patterns are different and in most cases you need quickly login to online account and then close the application or turn off the phone whereas on desktop Safari is open pretty much 24x7.
Tamerlane said 8:58AM on 7-08-2008
I feel that Apple should have included a fingerprint reader for addiotional security anyway, preferrably bhind the display, so the UI can throw up a dialog, with an area where the user can place his fingerprint.
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David Teare said 10:52AM on 7-08-2008
I'm hoping a fingerprint reader will be in iPhone v3 :)
Devon said 9:11AM on 7-08-2008
I wondered how they were going to do this. It's based on Webkit so it'll be pretty similar to Safari no doubt. It's too bad that Apple won't allow select plugins for Safari on iPhone because there are many things you can't do and not just Flash.
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peter.boysen said 10:52AM on 7-08-2008
cool. weird about the browser though. wonder how that'll work.
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David Teare said 10:58AM on 7-08-2008
The work flow will actually be a lot better with the built in browser.
Currently you launch Safari, browse your bookmarks (or type the url), tap to open, then to login you need to select the 1Password Logins bookmarklet, enter your password (each and every time) and then select the Login you want to use and then you are (finally) logged in.
In the new approach you will launch 1Password, enter a short PIN code, tap the login you want, and you will be taken to the site and logged in. When you want to change sites, you are still logged in to 1Password, so there is no need to re-type your PIN or password, you just need to select the Login you want.
Jorge said 10:58AM on 7-08-2008
Does TUAW get compensation from Agile for these mentions?
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David Teare said 11:01AM on 7-08-2008
You mean other than having exciting news that draws readers to TUAW?
Rubbinz said 11:07AM on 7-08-2008
You expect them to what, ignore them? This is an Apple/Mac related web site. Of course they're going to report/mention good Apple/Mac related software.
Besides, I think these guys are onto a pretty cool concept by integrating their own WebKit browser into their app on the iPhone.
Maybe they could include an adblocker, I've found some ads on certain sites seems to really choke up the mobile browsing environment. ;) ;)
guilt+1 said 12:49PM on 7-08-2008
Well, I'm sold.
I couldn't live without 1Password as a part of my browsing experience.
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