Android could get Password-Free Log-Ins by End of 2016

BY Evan Selleck

Published 23 May 2016

Google Abacus 2016

Last year, during Google I/O, the company unveiled something called “Project Abacus,” which would see the end of passwords when accessing your Android device.

Specifically, Google debuted an idea that would effectively see the end of passwords, and replaced with a system of trust, based on a variety of different elements implemented by the user. That includes the user’s voice, their typing speed, and even their location. Using a variety of parameters to confirm a person’s identity, instead of a password that can be forgotten.

That debut got a pretty minimal amount of attention, but according to TechCrunch, Google hasn’t forgotten about it. In fact, the company plans on rolling out the feature to Android developers by the end of 2016. To get things started, Google says that multiple “very large financial institutions” will try out the new security method beginning in June of this year.

Like with most things related to Google and its services/products, data is key, and Abacus will only be as good as the amount of trust users are willing to hand over to the Mountain View company. Google is technically already compiling the information it would need to make Abacus work on Android devices, but it will be interesting to see how well the feature goes over with the masses later this year.

How much privacy would you be willing to give up to Google for a feature like this?

[via TechCrunch]