PasswordManager posts

To celebrate Thanksgiving, Agile Web Solutions is giving thanks to its customers this week in the form of a free iPhone app. Previously $7.99, 1Password Pro touch [iTunes link] is completely free until December 1st.

Whether or not you use the excellent Mac edition of this app, which was recently updated to version 3.0, 1Password touch is a great addition to your iPod touch or iPhone. Essentially a password manager, this app stores login usernames and passwords, wallet information like credit card numbers, software license keys, and secured notes behind one or two levels of protection (depending on how sensitive you deem the data). With cut and paste functionality, as well as a built-in web browser, it's a great way to simplify logging into password-protected sites or even making online purchases. Of course, to get the most out of the mobile version, a copy running on your Mac is a must. With it, you'll be able to sync your information between the devices.

The standard app is great and all, but since both versions are free for the time being, you might as well grab the Pro. Extra features include folders for better organization, the ability to copy multiple fields to paste elsewhere, and a unique switching mode to quickly copy and past info into Mobile Safari. In addition, there are some Pro-only features on the way including MobileMe and WebDAV syncing (I can't wait for that!), and Favorites.

If you already have the regular touch edition, make sure to back up your data before removing the old app and upgrading to the Pro version. Those with the Mac application can rely on Wi-Fi syncing to ensure the latest info is on the computer, however Agile has instructions on its site for those without. Once you've removed the standard 1Password touch and installed Pro, you can restore the data.

SplashData, Inc. has announced a major update to SplashID for iPhone and iPod touch. SplashID, which first shipped in July, is a secure information manager application that has been available on other handheld platforms for years.

Version 4.5 is up to 2 times faster for power users who have a number of records in their SplashID databases. Other enhancements include:

• Enhanced user interface with simplified navigation
• Improved search and look-up functions
• Landscape view
• Number pad login
• New browser window to make log-in to websites on the iPhone easier
• Updated Mac and PC desktop software

The update is free to users of the US$9.95 application (available in the App Store -- click opens iTunes). For those who want to sync their iPhone SplashID database with their Macs or PCs, the newly refreshed desktop software is available for $19.95 from the SplashData Web site.

A full review of SplashID 4.5 is coming soon to a TUAW blog near you. In the meantime, what's your favorite secure information manager for non-jailbroken iPhones? Leave a comment below.

1Passwd, our favorite Tiger-only web form filler and password manager, was updated yesterday to version 2.1 build 3744. It sports a shiny new icon and now supports NetNewsWire! Also in this release are over 20 other improvements and bug fixes, along with the following new features:

• Added 'Find and Delete Duplicates' do locate web forms that have identical contents.
• Added NetNewsWire extension (using context menu instead of toolbar).
• Added dynamic toolbar buttons to all supported browsers.
• Web forms now can be dragged to web browser to create bookmarks.
• 1Passwd keychain will be automatically backed-up daily to a local folder.
• Added Autosave Rules to disable autosave on user-defined domains.
• Added 1Passwd context menu to Safari, Camino, DEVONagent, and OmniWeb.

Complete details are available on the 1Passwd blog and you can download a copy on the main site. Upgrades are free for registered users, and there's a free trial if you need it. New registration will cost you $29.95.

My favorite password and form manager, 1Passwd from Agile Web Solutions, has been given a nice update from version 1.5 to version 2.0. As a registered user I appreciate that there's no charge for this update, even though it's a major update and not a minor tweak. The authors have even stated there won't be a charge for the Leopard-compatible update when the time comes, thanks in part to the support they've received from sites like MacUpdate, VersionTracker and iUseThis. The free major upgrades are their way of saying "Thanks" to the community that has helped them build and improve their app.

1Passwd is a password manager and form-filler for Mac OS X that allows multiple identities, generates strong passwords, integrates with the OS X Keychain and most browsers (Safari, Firefox, Camino, Shiira, Flock and now OmniWeb and DevonAgent), and also integrates with .Mac so you can sync your passwords and forms across multiple systems. It's like the OS X keychain on steroids and with an emphasis on web forms and better integration. I've been using it for a few months now and I've come to rely on it heavily.

Version 2's most notable feature addition is the new Secure Notes feature - which I don't have too much use for personally, but it's nice to know it's there! Additional features include:

• Added 1Passwd extension for DEVONagent 2.0.3.
• Added 1Passwd extension for OmniWeb 5.5.
• Added Import of RoboForm Safenotes.
• Updated About window to include code attribution and hide registration info by default.
• Fixed UTF8 encoding problems in Firefox extension.
• Fixed problem emptying the Trash with Identity records.

There are also several changes to the user interface, including a trash can for deleted entries in case you change your mind or delete the wrong entry by mistake. There are even more features coming in future 2.x updates, but the developers felt it was important to push these features out the door now so that OmniWeb and DevonAgent users could enjoy 1Passwd rather than make everyone wait a few more weeks for the kitchen sink. You can read more about the new features planned on their blog.

There's a free version which is fully functional but limits the number of saved forms and identities to saved forms and identities to 12 and 1, respectively. The registered version costs $29.99 or $39.99 for a family license (up to 3 users in the same household) and there's a 30-day, 100% refund guarantee. Go ahead and give it a try - you really have nothing to lose!