Tag: wearable tech

This, according to predictions that have been released by Symantec.

If security firm, Symantec, is correct, then wearable technology such as smartwatches could soon mean that the need for us to try to remember a long list of different ever-changing logins and passwords could come to an end.

While mobile devices have previously been associated with low security, they could soon be giving protection a boost.

Mobile security has always been something that has made users feel a little bit leery, and has held back mobile payments and commerce from becoming reaching its true potential. However, wearable technology such as smartwatches, augmented reality glasses, and other wearables may one day make it possible for us to shake our reliance on password protection. They may currently be associated with privacy violations and hacking, but they also hold the ability to function with more accurate security protocols than password protection.

The boost that wearable technology could give to confidence in mobile security could be considerable.

Symantec released its predictions at the Wearable Technology Show, where Sian John, a technical specialist, called today’s password protection “frankly rubbish”. It was also added that the only reason that they are still being used is because they are user friendly compared to the alternatives that have been available until now.

John went on to explain that Symantec is currently investigating ways that wearables and other tech can provide a more practical and engaging mechanism for authentication. She also stated that by working collaboratively with the IT industry with regards to security standards, it could soon become possible for devices of all forms and from all brands to be able to communicate with each other in order to verify that someone is who he or she claims to be.

She said that “If you’ve got collaboration, you can end up with a sort of personal area network. If you’ve got your phone, your Fitbit and your Google Glass all in the same place, the actual proximity of those things can help us know that it’s you.”

At the same time, she also said that this sort of wearable technology remains in its very earliest forms and that these security solutions shouldn’t be expected to be developed tomorrow. The reason is that some time will be needed before it will be made possible for this universal form of authentication infrastructure to actually become affordable.

Sundar Pichai, the head of Android, Chrome, and mobile apps, made the quote at his SXSW appearance.

While speaking at the SXSW, Sundar Pichai explained that wearable technology is only just getting started with Google, and that “Android for wearables” will be released before the conclusion of March.

Google is getting ready to launch an SDK that is specific to wearable devices later on in the month.

They are hoping that hardware firms will choose to implement Android in their wearable technology devices such as smartwatches, fitness trackers, and other gadgets in the form of jewelry or clothing clip-ons. The senior vice president of Android, Chrome, and Apps, Pichai, made the announcement for the plans for the software development kit and the operating system specifically for wearables while he was at the Austin, Texas based SXSW.

The wearable technology Android software development kit will be out in under two weeks.

Pichai made this statement as he discussed Google’s vision when it comes to the market for wearables. He explained that when they picture these mobile devices, they think of them from the perspective of a platform. “We see a world of sensors… Sensors can be small and powerful, and gather a lot of information that can be useful for users. We want to build the right APIs for this world of sensors.”

He also pointed out that while fitness bands and trackers, and smartwatches are easily the most obvious categories in the overall environment of wearables, Google is hoping that its SDK release will only encourage a greater evolution of different gadgets and devices. He said that he believes that “we are just scratching the surface” in this ecosystem.

Android was added to the various responsibilities under Pichai last year when the founder of the operating system, Andy Rubin, stepped into other areas within the company. He did not give any details regarding Google’s intention to create its own wearable technology devices. Instead, he spoke exclusively of the platform and the APIs and the plans that the company has for those in the near and more vaguely distant but foreseeable future.