AgileBits has released a nice update for 1Password for Mac that includes a redesigned 1Password mini and an improved new user interface that is focused on getting your information out of 1Password quickly and efficiently.

I also like that they are pushing into machine learning to analyze the web pages you’re on to in order to make the best suggestions for what items you’ll need to complete on that page. For instance, if you’re finally ready to make the commitment and buy those shoes in your cart, 1Password mini has your address and credit card information ready for you. And lastly, they’ve got an improved password generator.

Today the Sweet Setup released a 1Password course that covers everything from how to use the app to additional ways to use the app (like teams, families, and digital wills). I’ve always been a fan of 1Password, and I use it every day. If you’d like a little help, check out this course. The price is normally $29 but discounted this week to $23.

Yesterday, Agile Bits released 1Password for Mac, version 7. Having used the application since version one, it’s hard to believe they’ve already got to version 7. Moreover, it’s hard to believe that a password manager can get to version 7 and continue to add new and delightful features. Nevertheless, they did.

With the new version, 1Password mini, that menubar tool from which I usually access 1Password data, gets a new design. It looks better, is more functional, and contains more information concerning your passwords and logins. One thing I like about the new version is that it doesn’t just limit itself to website logins. If you’re trying to sign into an application that requires a password, the latest version of 1Password will suggest a password for that as well.

The 1Password application window now includes a sidebar that provides for a dark theme and gives you easy access to all of the 1Password tools and features. There are a lot of good things about 1Password, including Watchtower, which keeps an eye out for any services you use that have been compromised. However, traditionally those features were not always that easy to uncover. With the new sidebar. You have quick access to them and, hopefully, you will use them more often.

With the new version, you can use markdown in the formatted text field of individual password entries. (Hooray!) Also, the overall design and typography are better. They even had a font created to make the display of passwords easier to read and understand. For instance, you will never confuse a capital “I” and the number “1” again.

I have often considered the notes field in 1Password one of its hidden treasures. All of us have little bits of data that we want to keep on all of our devices and yet maintain security. As an example, I want access to my kids’ Social Security numbers, but I don’t want to put that information in something as ubiquitous as an Apple Note. Putting that information in a 1Password secure note allows me to lock it behind the 1Password vault. This adds a level of security for this information and keeps the information safe from anyone that otherwise has my unlocked phone in their hands.

I hear increasingly from readers and listeners that do the same thing, and 1Password makes that easier with the new version, adding the ability to place tags on your secure notes. As your list of notes increases, tags can be a big help keeping them organized.

For some time now 1Password has made it easier to share passwords securely with vaults and their cloud family and work accounts. This latest version turns the dial up on all of those features making them more discoverable and easier to use. There is a whole lot more thatyou can read about at the 1Password blog. The new version is free to everyone with a 1Password membership. You can buy a standalone license, and there is an introductory price on that so get on that now.

In short, I’m digging 1Password 7.

Finally, a bit of disclosure. 1Password has sponsored my podcast, the Mac Power Users, for years. If that makes you think I’m a paid endorser, you’d be wrong, but there you go.

I’ve been running the beta of the new 1Password app for Mac for a while now, and I’d recommend it for any 1Password subscribers.

It’s hard to believe 1Password is up to version 7, but they are, and the new version adds a lot of new features. There’s a better sidebar, and there is now drag-and-drop so you can easily move items between vaults (or even share an item from the sidebar).

Tags also get better with the new ability to nest tags. I’ve started tagging passwords as we worth the family vault and it’s helping. Occasionally you may need to see a 1Password item entry while doing something on your Mac and discover the data gets covered up by other windows. They’ve fixed that now with the ability to pop out a window containing the password field, so it’s always on top.

1Password version 7 also makes changes to the typography. They’ve created their own font and added the ability to use rich text in the application’s text fields. There’s a whole lot more including a lot of under the hood work to make the application faster and more efficient. 

I’m usually leery to install the first beta of key software, but I’ve been running this beta now for a week and had no problems. One password has a post that describes all of the new changes and you can download the beta right there if you are feeling brave.

This week 1Password released version 6.5 of the iOS app. There are several big improvements including a better onboarding experience and better group management. What really struck me, however, is the new Apple Watch app. It’s what I would refer to in my 80’s vernacular as “a sweet upgrade”.

The new Apple Watch app is a native Apple Watch app taking advantage of the the watchOS 3 update and running much faster. It’s now easy to set up and move key items from any 1Password vault (including 1Password.com vaults) to your wrist. I’ll be using 1Password on my wrist a lot more now. As an example, I still occasionally need to get my credit card PIN number when making a purchase. Now it’s on my wrist.

There has been an evolution with Apple Watch apps. With watchOS 1 and 2, watch apps felt like an experiment more than a finished product. With watchOS 3, Apple Watch apps have the possibility of being useful. That doesn’t mean that they all actually are useful. I think getting the user interface and feature scope on an Apple Watch app is a tricky thing. It’s a small screen and app developers need to think of it primarily as a consumption experience for getting data out of their app. 1Password nails this.

For those of you buying a shiny new Touch Bar enabled MacBook Pro, 1Password has already got you covered.

∞

In recent months 1Password has added subscription plans for families and teams. It’s only natural that now they’ve added one for individuals. Dave Teare from 1Password made a post at the 1Password blog that gives all the details. For $2.99 a month, users get access to all the 1Password apps plus their cloud services.

As 1Password explains in their blog post, subscribers get all the 1Password features plus:

• Built-in automatic sync across all devices
• Data loss protection
• Web access to your data on 1Password.com
• Item History for restoring deleted or changed items
• Secure Document storage
• Brand new multi-factor security model

I get in hot water every time I write this, but I’m okay with productivity app makers adopting subscription plans. Upgrade pricing isn’t realistic anymore and Apple doesn’t even provide for it the the iOS and Mac App Stores. If you want good productivity software, productivity software makers have to stay in business.

With 1Password’s plan, you’re getting all of its apps plus the above features for $36/year. Purchasing 1Password licenses (which is still possible) has always been (and remains to be) quite a bit more expensive than that. Moreover, if you get in on the launch special, you get six months for free.

I’d recommend subscribing to 1Password. It’s a great service and will keep you more secure in an increasingly insecure world. Learn more at 1Password’s blog.

Disclosure: 1Password has been a sponsor of Mac Power Users for years. I’ve been a 1Password customer even longer and happily currently pay $5/month for my 1Password family plan.

Today 1Password announced a new pricing model. Dave Teare from 1Password explains:

With 1Password for Families you can license 1Password for a family of five for $5 per month. You can use 1Password on any platform and you can manage the family from the Admin console. I think now, more than ever, families need a way to create and manage secure passwords. Early adopters get additional benefits including two free months and an increase to seven family members. Learn more from 1Password.

The team at Agile Bits rang in the new year with some significant updates to 1Password for both iOS and the Mac.

1Password for iOS 6.2

The new iOS version lets you search from anywhere, including the Favorites and Organize tab. They’ve also brought the Watchtower feature to iOS. Watchtower keeps an eye on security vulnerabilities from around the web and lets you know if it thinks you may have a problem. For instance, if you have an online account with at FranksManureAndFineJewelry.com in your 1Password database and they get hacked, 1Password will alert you. I’ve loved that feature on the Mac and am really happy to see it on iOS. 

Finally, for iPhone 6s and 6s Plus, they’ve added 3D touch features including Peek and Pop, and a quick action menu on the home screen that lets you create a new item, view favorites, or search 1Password. 

1Password for Mac Version 6

Version 6 for the Mac is also here with some notable new features. The new password generator on Mac is both better and easier. It will now also create a random word password, which makes key passwords easier to remember. If you haven’t tried 1Password vaults yet, you should. It lets you segregate your most important data so you can share only the data that needs sharing and segregate everything else. This new version makes managing and viewing your vault data easier with the All Vaults view. Thanks to Apple loosening a few rules, you can now also sync your data via iCloud even if you did not buy your version of 1Password from the Mac App Store.

The 1Password team clearly put a lot of work into these updates. The iOS update is free and the Mac update is free so long as you were already using version 4 or 5. You can learn more and buy 1Password for Mac from Agile Bits or the Mac App Store. You can find 1Password for iOS on the App Store.