Prediction: Biometric logins to halt password sharing
October 18, 2022
CCS Insight has produced its latest set of 100 predictions that share its expectations for the technology landscape in 2023 and beyond.
This year the research team has focused on potential changes ahead for the digital world, for the digital society, and for the digital self. Focus areas include sustainability, personal futures, advances in infrastructure, regulation, the changing workplace, connected devices and virtual worlds. Below is a selection of the predictions…
- Apple launches a foldable iPad in 2024. Rather than making a foldable iPhone, the company shuns the trend and dips its toe in the water with a super-premium iPad with a flexible display.
- By 2025, Meta launches a virtual reality headset controlled by an inbuilt neural sensor. It ships a headset without any controllers at all as it implements neural sensing along with other body-sensing technology like hand-tracking.
- The EU’s Digital Markets Act ends preferred product placement in search results by 2024. The new legislation prevents companies from favouring their own products above those of rivals in search results on their own platforms. It also means that smartphone-makers and platform providers can no longer pre-install their own apps where alternative solutions are available.
- By 2027 there are an average of six connected devices per person in Western economies. This is up from one in four at present as connectivity proliferates into wearable technology and other consumer devices.
- Clear signs of a Russian–Chinese “splinternet” emerge by 2023. Boycotts of the Russian market and Russia’s restricted access to international online platforms and websites sees Chinese technology companies look to fill the void left by their Western counterparts.
- By 2023, the integration of biometric logins allows streaming services to clamp down on password sharing. Streaming services such as Netflix turn to this technology to validate users. Much like mobile bank accounts, streaming companies require the user to login every time they are used, making it far harder for people to share credentials.
- By 2024, augmented reality technology becomes a central element of unboxing tech products. This more environmentally friendly approach allows interactive packaging to “come to life” on a smartphone screen and offers digital step-by-step “getting started” instructions, replacing physical guides in the box.
- Within five years governments are forced to rethink the way spectrum is sold. Governments are forced to move to a “pay as you use” model, with payments being made over the whole duration of the licence rather than prior to deployment.
- By 2025, at least one European country mandates that large tech companies contribute to the cost of telecom networks. Companies such as Google, Meta, and Netflix are obliged to help fund the expensive roll-out and maintenance of the networks that support them.
- Through 2024, the emergence of augmented reality headsets for consumers sparks a rush for augmented advertising space. New methods and locations for advertising are created, such as projecting digital adverts onto famous landmarks.
- In 2023, half of households in Western Europe have at least one second-hand connected device. Several factors whet appetite for second-hand devices, with pricing, the economic climate and green reasons being the main motivators.
- By 2025, a new green certification is displayed by websites using low-energy design and code. A new standards body enables websites, platforms and mobile apps to sport a logo certifying their use of high-contrast colours, darker design themes, standard typefaces and simpler, cleaner code.
- In 2026, the global circular economy for mobile devices, tablets and wearables exceeds $50 billion. This is up from $15 billion in 2021. Consumers benefit from lower prices for premium devices and increasingly make choices based on the environmental impact of the devices they own.
- By 2030, intelligent wireless body monitoring leads to pervasive and personalized healthcare. Deeper and smarter insights into the body means that devices can serve as a preventive health tool, flagging up any deviations from the user’s norm, detecting subtle changes and providing lifestyle advice.