Our homes are more than just buildings; they are places where we grow, build relationships, and find comfort. As we project forward into the future, the concept of ‘home’ is set to undergo transformative changes, responding to shifting demographics, technological advancements, and our growing awareness of environmental sustainability. In the next 10 to 20 years, the architectural design of our houses will significantly evolve, reflecting our deepening understanding of health, our desire for flexibility, and our need for integration with evolving technologies.

1. AI Smart Home Integration

Future homes will be seamlessly integrated with smart technology to create living spaces that are more comfortable, efficient, and secure. This goes beyond just connecting various appliances and systems to the internet.

In these future smart homes, AI will play a central role. It will not only be about controlling lights, temperature, or security remotely, but the AI will learn from residents’ habits and preferences to automate these controls. For instance, your home might learn that you start your day at 6 am, so it will automatically adjust the thermostat, open the blinds, and start brewing your coffee at that time.

Facial recognition technology will enhance security systems to identify residents and trusted visitors and alert homeowners to unknown individuals. Similarly, integrated sensors could detect unusual activity and potentially prevent accidents – for example, alerting you if the oven has been left on for too long.

Entertainment systems will also become more integrated and personalized. Imagine your home knowing your favorite TV shows and automatically recording them or creating a perfect lighting and sound ambiance for your movie night.

The rise of IoT will also see more appliances being controlled by voice commands or through mobile apps. Everything from refrigerators to washing machines could provide status updates, alerts for problems, and even automated maintenance reminders. Additionally, smart homes will become more interactive. Augmented Reality (AR) could play a part in this, for instance, overlaying a cooking tutorial on your smart stove or displaying your day’s schedule on your bathroom mirror.

With these advancements, future smart homes will not just be about gadgetry or automation but creating an environment that’s in tune with the occupants’ lifestyle, providing comfort, convenience, and an enhanced living experience.

2. Shared Coworking Spaces in Residential Design

As we move into a more flexible and remote work era, the boundary between our work and home lives is increasingly blurred. In response, the architectural design of our homes in the next 10 to 20 years will integrate shared coworking spaces, fundamentally altering how we perceive and design residential spaces.

In future home designs, shared coworking spaces will be a common feature, particularly in communal living arrangements or large residential complexes. These spaces will provide a conducive environment for remote work, fostering collaboration and promoting a sense of community among residents. They could be designed as designated rooms or areas within the building that are fully equipped with workstations, high-speed internet, meeting rooms, and even amenities like a coffee station or a relaxation zone.

The design of these spaces will prioritize both productivity and comfort. Ergonomics will be a key consideration, with furniture designed to support good posture and minimize strain during long work periods. Natural light will be maximized to boost mood and focus, and noise control measures will be implemented to ensure a quiet, distraction-free environment.

Beyond physical design aspects, technology will play a critical role in these shared coworking spaces. Advanced tech solutions such as smart screens for video conferencing, virtual reality headsets for immersive meetings, or AI-powered noise-cancellation systems could become standard features. These tech integrations will not only support seamless remote work but also enhance collaborative experiences among the residents.

However, it’s not all about work. These shared coworking spaces will also function as social spaces, promoting interaction and community-building among residents. They might host networking events, skill-sharing workshops, or communal activities, encouraging residents to connect with each other beyond their professional roles.

As the lines between home and office continue to blur, shared coworking spaces in residential areas will support the changing dynamics of work, offering flexibility, fostering community, and promoting a healthy work-life balance. This trend will not only reshape our homes but also redefine how we interact with our living spaces in the context of work and community.

3. Virtual/Augmented Reality Spaces

As virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) technologies continue to evolve, they will significantly influence home design in the coming years. Beyond the realm of gaming, these technologies can provide immersive experiences for entertainment, education, work, and social interaction, changing how we interact with digital content and our living spaces.

Future homes may incorporate dedicated VR/AR spaces designed to provide enough room for movement while ensuring safety. These spaces could feature open floor plans, unobstructed by furniture, with padded or soft-finish floors and walls to prevent injury. Inbuilt tracking systems could be used to interact with the virtual environment and ensure users stay within the designated area.

In the realm of interior design, AR can transform how we decorate and arrange our homes. With AR, homeowners could visualize how different furniture pieces, color schemes, or lighting conditions would look in their actual space before making a purchase or change. This would allow for more confident design decisions and personalized aesthetics.

For work and learning, VR can create immersive, distraction-free environments that improve focus and engagement. A home office or study might include a VR setup for attending virtual meetings or classes, and transporting users to a simulated boardroom or lecture hall with the push of a button.

The integration of VR/AR in homes also has potential therapeutic applications. For example, VR could be used for guided meditation or stress relief, creating peaceful, immersive environments within one’s own home.

As the hardware for VR/AR becomes more compact and wireless, incorporating these technologies into residential design will become easier. In the future, VR/AR could become as much a part of our homes as our televisions or computers are today, reshaping our living spaces into adaptable, interactive environments.

4. Robot-Friendly Design

As advancements in robotics and artificial intelligence continue to accelerate, the integration of robotic companions into our households becomes increasingly plausible. Future homes may very well be designed with the intention to accommodate these mechanical helpers, fostering their interaction with the human occupants and the house itself.

Robot-friendly design involves considering the physical characteristics and functionalities of robots. Homes might incorporate designated pathways and clear floors to facilitate robot movement. This could include wider doorways and hallways, ramped transitions between different floor levels, and open floor plans that allow for easy navigation.

Charging stations will become a standard part of home design, similar to how many homes now have dedicated spots for charging mobile devices. These could be discreetly integrated into the home design, perhaps as a part of a utility room or a corner of the living area.

Homes could also incorporate digital interfaces and control panels at a height accessible to both robots and humans, allowing robots to manipulate various home systems. For instance, a domestic robot might be tasked with adjusting the home’s thermostat or controlling the lighting based on the homeowner’s preferences.

In houses with multi-story, design consideration would be given to how robots can move between different levels. Options could range from installing robot-friendly ramps or lifts to developing robots that can safely and efficiently climb stairs.

Additionally, as robots become more adept at performing complex tasks, kitchens and utility areas might be designed with robotic functionality in mind. Adjustable countertops or modular storage units could be utilized to allow robots to cook meals or clean up, contributing to household chores.

Incorporating robot-friendly design into our homes is about optimizing for a harmonious coexistence between humans and robots. The goal is to create a living environment where robotic companions can effectively augment our daily routines, making our lives more comfortable and efficient.

5. Drone Security and Drone Delivery Systems

The advent of drone technology has not only revolutionized several industries but is also poised to impact the design and function of future homes significantly. In the next 10 to 20 years, two key features that are expected to become integrated into home design are drone security systems and drone delivery systems.

Drone Security Systems: Safety and security are primary concerns for any homeowner, and as such, drone technology presents an advanced solution to meet these needs. Future homes could incorporate drone security systems, which operate as mobile CCTV units. These autonomous drones could be programmed to patrol the property at specified intervals, equipped with night vision and motion detection capabilities to identify any unusual activity.

Furthermore, the drone can be instantly deployed in the event of a security breach, providing real-time video feed to homeowners or a security firm. This rapid response capability not only deters potential intruders but also aids in the identification and subsequent apprehension of criminals. Given their aerial advantage, these drones can also monitor hard-to-reach areas, offering a comprehensive security solution.

Drone Delivery Systems: As online shopping and home delivery services become ever more dominant, future homes will need to adapt to this trend. One solution is the integration of drone delivery systems into the design of homes.

Houses could include drone landing pads or designated drone delivery docks, often located on rooftops or balconies. These docks would be equipped with security measures such as locking mechanisms to prevent theft and could also include protective elements to shield packages from weather conditions.

On the technological front, these docks might include systems to automatically receive delivery drones guided by GPS and autonomous navigation systems. Once a drone lands, the dock can secure the package and automatically recharge its battery before it departs for the next delivery.

As our reliance on drone technology increases, it’s clear that future home designs must consider the integration of these systems. By including drone security and drone delivery systems, future homes can offer enhanced safety and convenience, meeting future homeowners’ changing needs and expectations.

6. Biophilic Design

Biophilia, a term popularized by biologist Edward O. Wilson, describes the innate human attraction to nature and living things. Biophilic design is an approach to architecture that seeks to connect building occupants more closely to nature. As awareness of the importance of mental and physical well-being increases, biophilic design principles will play a more significant role in residential architecture in the next 10 to 20 years.

Biophilic design incorporates elements of nature into the built environment, both directly and indirectly. Direct applications may involve the integration of actual nature into architecture. This could take the form of indoor gardens, green walls, water features, or the use of natural materials such as wood and stone. The sounds, smells, and tactile experiences of nature can also be incorporated to provide a multi-sensory connection.

Indirect nature engagement might include biomimetic designs, which mimic natural forms and patterns, or biophilic spatial configurations that emulate environments where humans historically thrived. Large windows, glass walls, or skylights that let in plenty of natural light are a common feature, as well as designs that facilitate views of the outdoor environment.

Access to outdoor spaces will also be a critical part of future residential design. This could include private spaces like balconies and terraces or communal green spaces in multi-residential developments. The outdoor spaces would be designed to provide meaningful contact with nature, such as planting edible gardens or native species to attract local wildlife.

Biophilic design goes beyond simply adding plants to indoor spaces. It’s about creating a living environment that embodies the essence of nature, promoting a sense of peace and well-being. The benefits of biophilic design are numerous, including improved mental health, reduced stress levels, enhanced creativity, and increased overall satisfaction with one’s living environment.

As urbanization continues and the disconnect between humans and nature grows, the need for biophilic design in our homes will only become more essential.

7. Net-Zero Energy Homes

As the world grapples with climate change, energy efficiency in residential buildings is more crucial than ever. Net-Zero Energy Homes (NZEH) represent the future of sustainable living, designed to produce as much renewable energy as they consume over the course of a year. The concept will fundamentally shape the architecture and construction industry in the next 10 to 20 years.

Net-zero homes aim to minimize energy needs through effective insulation, high-performance windows, and smart design to take advantage of natural light and heat. They may feature orientation that captures or avoids the sun’s heat depending on the climate, as well as shade features or landscaping to control temperature.

The homes will generate their own energy through renewable sources, primarily solar panels and potentially wind or geothermal energy. The implementation of energy storage systems, like advanced battery technology, will allow homeowners to store excess energy produced during peak production times for use during periods of high energy demand.

Net-zero homes will also include energy-efficient appliances and systems, along with smart home technology that allows residents to monitor and manage their energy use. These homes can feed excess energy back to the grid, effectively turning residential buildings into mini power plants.

Water conservation will also be crucial to net-zero design, incorporating features like rainwater harvesting systems, greywater reuse, or water-efficient appliances and fixtures.

Building a net-zero home involves a synergistic approach to design and construction, considering the home as an integrated system rather than a collection of separate elements. This approach, combined with advancements in renewable energy and energy-efficiency technologies, will make net-zero homes a practical and affordable option for many homeowners.

The push towards net-zero living isn’t just about reducing energy bills or even environmental impact. It represents a shift towards more sustainable, resilient communities, paving the way for a future where every home is a contributor to a cleaner and greener planet.

8. IoT Integration

As the Internet of Things (IoT) continues to expand, our homes are becoming more connected and intelligent. Future homes will not merely be places to live but dynamic entities capable of learning from and adapting to their inhabitants. The design and structure of houses 10 to 20 years from now will heavily incorporate IoT technologies to increase efficiency, comfort, and security.

In a smart home, various systems and appliances connect to the internet and can communicate with each other. This allows for centralized control through a main hub or an app. From lighting and heating to entertainment and security systems, virtually every aspect of home life can be automated and customized to individual preferences.

Artificial intelligence will play a significant role in smart homes, with learning algorithms capable of understanding the habits and patterns of occupants to optimize energy usage and enhance comfort. Your home might learn your daily routines, automatically adjusting the temperature, lighting, or music based on the time of day or your activities.

Smart homes will also incorporate more sophisticated security systems. Facial recognition software could allow for keyless entry, and remote monitoring will enable homeowners to keep an eye on their property from anywhere in the world. Smart sensors could detect anything from break-ins to water leaks, offering peace of mind and potentially saving money on repairs.

Voice-activated virtual assistants will become a standard feature, capable of everything from answering questions to controlling other IoT devices. We also see the rise of touchless technology in homes, from motion-sensor lights to voice-activated appliances, fostering ease and convenience.

Integration with electric vehicles and charging infrastructure will also be a key aspect of future home design. Homeowners could manage their vehicle charging schedule based on their daily routine or when electricity rates are lowest, all integrated into their home’s smart system.

However, with the advent of smart homes, data security and privacy will become increasingly critical. Future home design will need to consider these aspects, ensuring that all data generated and collected within the home is secure.

In the future, homes will become proactive partners in managing our daily lives, improving our comfort, safety, and well-being while optimizing resource usage and contributing to a sustainable future.

9. Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality in Design Process

Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) are set to revolutionize the design and construction of homes in the next 10 to 20 years. These technologies provide immersive, interactive experiences that allow architects, builders, and clients to visualize, modify, and interact with a home’s design before it’s built.

VR enables users to step inside a fully immersive 3D simulation of a planned house. Users can explore every room, inspect every detail, and even simulate different times of day to see how sunlight would interact with the space. This provides an unprecedented level of understanding and confidence in the design, ensuring that everyone involved is on the same page about what the finished home will look like.

With VR, design changes can be made on the fly, allowing architects and clients to experiment with different ideas and immediately see the results. This can greatly reduce the time and costs associated with changes during the actual construction process.

AR, on the other hand, overlays digital information onto the real world, allowing users to see how a design would fit into an existing environment. For example, clients could use an AR app to visualize how a proposed addition would look on their existing house or how a new home would fit onto a particular piece of land.

AR can also be used during the construction process to guide builders. For example, workers could use AR glasses to overlay construction plans onto their field of view, showing exactly where each component should go and reducing the risk of errors.

In addition, these technologies could change the way we think about space in our homes. With VR, a small room could be transformed into an expansive virtual environment, providing a sense of spaciousness without the need for a large physical footprint. This could become increasingly important as urbanization leads to smaller living spaces.

Both VR and AR offer incredible possibilities for the future of home design, providing a more collaborative, flexible, and efficient design process. The result will be homes that better meet the needs and desires of their inhabitants, leading to greater satisfaction and comfort.

10. Health-Focused Design

As health and wellness become ever more important facets of our daily lives, the architecture and design of our homes will follow suit. Future homes will be built with the intention of promoting physical and mental well-being, making health-focused design a significant trend in the next 10 to 20 years.

Indoor air quality will be a major focus. Features such as advanced air filtration systems, humidity control, and the use of non-toxic, hypoallergenic materials will become standard to combat pollutants and allergens. In addition, the use of plants and green spaces within homes will not only enhance aesthetic appeal but also improve air quality and create a calming atmosphere.

Lighting will also play a crucial role in health-focused design. Homes will be designed to maximize natural light, which has been shown to boost mood and productivity, regulate circadian rhythms, and even improve sleep. For times when natural light is limited, adjustable, human-centric artificial lighting that can mimic the color temperature and intensity of natural light will be used.

Home layouts will also be designed to promote physical activity. This could mean the incorporation of dedicated exercise spaces, or it could be as simple as designing homes that encourage movement, such as placing frequently used rooms far apart.

The acoustic environment of homes will also be considered. Soundproofing to reduce noise pollution, including calming natural sounds and using materials that minimize echo, can contribute to a more peaceful and stress-free living environment.

Technological advancements will also support health-focused design. Health monitoring devices will be integrated into the smart home systems, tracking parameters like heart rate, sleep quality, and physical activity and offering insights and recommendations to improve the inhabitants’ health.

Homes will also include spaces designed for mental wellness, such as quiet areas for meditation or relaxation, spaces with immersive nature views, or areas dedicated to hobbies or creative activities.

In the future, homes will serve not just as living spaces but as supportive environments that actively contribute to the health and well-being of their inhabitants. The result will be homes that are not just places to live but places that help us live better.

11. Multigenerational and Adaptable Living Spaces

As lifespans increase and family dynamics evolve, the need for homes to accommodate multiple generations under one roof is becoming increasingly important. Homes in the next 10 to 20 years will be designed with flexibility and adaptability at their core, allowing them to adjust to the changing needs of their inhabitants over time.

Multigenerational homes will include each generation’s private spaces and communal areas where the family can gather. These homes may feature separate living quarters for elderly parents or adult children, with features such as ground-level living for those who can’t navigate stairs or soundproofing to ensure privacy.

Adaptable design will be a key feature of these homes, allowing rooms to serve multiple purposes over time. For instance, a home office could be converted into a nursery, then later into a guest room. Wall partitions might be movable to change the layout of the house quickly or to create additional rooms when needed.

Technological advancements will also facilitate the creation of adaptable living spaces. Smart home systems could adjust lighting, temperature, and even furniture arrangements based on who is using a room. Homes might feature adjustable-height counters and sinks or walls embedded with tech that can transform a living room into a home theater at the touch of a button.

The design of these homes will also consider accessibility and safety features to accommodate older family members, such as wider doorways for wheelchair access, non-slip flooring, grab bars in bathrooms, and smart health monitoring systems.

Sustainability will also be a key consideration in multigenerational homes. As these homes will be designed to last and adapt for many years, they will need to be energy-efficient and built with durable, sustainable materials.

Multigenerational and adaptable homes offer a practical and flexible solution to the changing demographics and lifestyles of modern families. By allowing families to remain together, they can foster stronger familial bonds, use space better, and potentially provide economic benefits by sharing costs.

Final Thoughts

Anticipating the future, it’s evident that the home of the future is more than just a space for living. It becomes a health promoter, an adaptable entity, an energy producer, and a technological marvel. These predictions of transformative changes to home design are rooted in the present but geared towards a future that promises exciting opportunities. It’s a future that suggests a fundamental shift from a static dwelling to a dynamic, responsive environment, catering to our needs, supporting our health, and augmenting our lifestyles. As we move towards this future, we are shaping homes that aren’t just designed for living but for living better.

If there was ever a reason to celebrate, it will be the day we no longer need passwords for secure logins and access to websites and apps. For the vast majority of people, passwords have become the bane of their online existence.

Properly utilized, today’s password-based protection is a very sound security measure, especially when paired with two-factor authentication (2FA). It’s just that we don’t properly utilize password protocols, making the whole thing very unsound, not to mention cumbersome.

The Problem with Passwords

Most of us have dozens of password-protected applications and accounts. And most of us create dangerous shortcuts.

Too many of us don’t bother to use any of the terrific password manager programs available that allow us to only have to remember/lookup one complex password. We don’t set up 2FA when we’re given the opportunity. We use the same relatively easy password for multiple minor accounts. We select the “remember my password” option. We use phishable passwords like our own birthday, our partner’s or child’s name, or this password … which is apparently one of the most frequently used: “12345678” possibly second only to “password.”

Our Preference for Ease of Use

We take these chances because we’re in a hurry. It seems like we only want to be safe if it’s convenient. Fortunately, the new passwordless system will accommodate that aspect of human nature.

The new solution will be both secure and simple to use. Logging in to any of your accounts will be as easy as unlocking your phone – whether you use a pin or you’ve opted for facial or fingerprint biometric recognition. In fact, that’s exactly how it will work, when you update your cell phone adding your very own, futuristic “mobile authenticator,” aka multi-device credential, aka sign-in credential, aka passkey.

FIDO to the Rescue

The FIDO Alliance has been working for nearly a decade to solve the challenge of moving beyond password-based identity authentication protocols. This inter-industry technology association includes representatives from many of the top companies in financial, healthcare, technology, and online security services. Importantly, FIDO includes Apple, Google, and Microsoft, meaning the new FIDO solution has their blessing and the passwordless authentication standards will work across their respective platforms and browsers.

Behind the Screen

Without going too deep in the weeds, your smartphone will have a new cryptographically secure token or passkey that’s stored in the cloud (so if you lose or destroy your phone it can sync with your replacement device).

When you try to open a protected website or application, regardless of your operating system, that program will send a prompt to your phone requiring you to verify your identity. But instead of seeing a screen asking for a user name and password, you’ll be asked to authenticate your identity by unlocking the passkey using your phone’s biometric recognition feature or pin number. In other words, it’s as easy as opening your phone.

The phone must be in close proximity to the device the user is using to access the site so the two can sync with a Bluetooth connection.

Easier, Better Security

The soon-to-be out-of-date password-based security systems require that you know or remember something. By necessity that something” needs to be complex because phishing systems are actively trying to guess your “something.”

The FIDO passkey-based security system on the other hand only requires that you have your cellphone with you and that you have your face or fingerprint with you. I know I tend not to leave home, or the room for that matter, without each of those three things.

Unphishable and More Secure

Experts from all walks are putting their reputations on the line touting the security of FIDO’s passwordless solution. They make a strong case.

1. It will finally be easy for users to comply with state-of-the-art online security protocols.
2. FIDO’s authentication is safer than current passwordless authentication systems that ultimately fall back onto password requirements or are not recoverable with the loss of the device.
3. Since it relies on Bluetooth connectivity, only the person present can complete the authentication.
4. If the device is lost, its passkey can’t be accessed by another person.
5. Since the passkey is in the Cloud, it can be recovered to a new replacement device by secure Bluetooth access and placed onto an already authenticated device.

WHEN will this Change Our Lives?

The technology and passkey support will be available by next year, according to FIDO. A complete transition for the user will take a bit longer, given that websites and apps will need to be reconfigured from their password-based security protocols. For a while, we’ll have hybrid access depending on the site and the application.

How will this Change Our Lives?

But before you know it, we’ll find we’ve eased into a whole new comfortable seamless online experience. We won’t be slowed down by logging in and then re-logging in because we rushed the process the first time.

Additionally:

1. More than ever, cell phones will be standard take-alongs since they’ll contain the (literal) key into protected areas of the internet.
2. Using the PIN option to open a phone will go away, given that the PIN will be the weak link option for accessing the all-important passkey. Facial recognition and touch ID will the only ways to open phones and access the passkey.
3. Phones will become far more personalized vaults and portals into our world. There will be no more parental or partner snooping.
4. Overall demand for tech support will drop, given that forgotten passwords are the number one source of consumer tech questions.
5. Personal identity and ransomware attacks will drop dramatically.
6. Phishing-derived spam emails will decline significantly.

And, last but not least, the FIDO-based system introduced in the next few months won’t be the last word in passwordless authentications. They’ll need to stay one step ahead of cybercriminals who are no doubt already trying to find their way into the system.

Are you carrying less plastic or paper these days? More and more, all you need when you step out the door is your handheld personal device. That’s increasingly true with driver’s licenses even, which I learned recently.

Earlier this year, thanks to COVID, mail issues, and my wife’s broken ankle that resigned her to crutches, renewing her Colorado Driver License became a significant challenge. “Auto-renew” was anything but automatic.

During the process, though, I learned that several states have been testing the technology and engaging in pilot programs related to digital driver’s licenses (DDLs) over the past few years. In fact, my home state, Colorado, has adopted a digital driver’s license option, valid for in-state, non-law enforcement-related purposes.

Steps Toward National Standardization

The process is tied in with the transition to Real IDs – the TSA-driven system that will require air travelers to use state-issued (plastic) driver’s licenses that are digitally produced, including a digital photo. If your driver’s license card has a star in the upper right corner, you’re all set.

The U.S. Congress took things a step further this past December with the annual Appropriations bill, which includes language that allows states to consider DDLs as official state government identification documents. It also confirms that these compliant state DDLs will be sufficient for TSA purposes.

Since all the information on your driver’s license is being digitally stored by your state motor vehicles administration, it’s not much of a technological leap to securely link that information to a digital driver’s license you can pull up on your iPhone or Apple Watch.

What is a technological leap, though, as well as a leap of faith for some of us, is how to keep that vital information secure when it’s stored electronically on their device. After all, other than a passport – which few of us carry on a daily basis – driver’s licenses are the primary proof of our identity to verify who we are.

Biometric Recognition

The answer is biometric recognition – facial, iris, and fingerprint recognition to name just three. Biometric recognition isn’t 100% foolproof, but it’s based on the fact that human beings are physically distinctive with non-duplicated physical characteristics. It’s already used in lieu of usernames and passwords for many IT functions, and there’s no reason DDLs can’t be added to the mix.

Welcome to a world in which we can keep our pockets, pocketbooks, purses, and wallets free of valuable, stealable verifiers of our personal identity and links to our assets.

We’re well down that road. I appreciate laptops and mobile apps that allow a user to log in with fingerprint matching or facial recognition. And it’s always reassuring when the app with facial recognition won’t open if I happen to look away from the screen or sneeze at just the wrong time.

Our personal devices are increasingly turning into digital wallets or pocketbooks, with programs and apps related to everything from credit cards to car keys. And if we can make driver’s licenses digital, there shouldn’t be any stopping us. There’s really no limit on digitizing the membership cards, payment accounts, identity cards, insurance cards, and all the other 3-1/2 X 2-1/4-inch cards stretching our wallets and pocketbooks at the seams.

Security

Entrusting those random and valuable accounts that contain so much personal and financial information to a single device may seem counterintuitive. So, what about security. I smile when I hear people point out – “What about if I lose my phone?” It happens. And we also lose wallets and leave credit cards behind in restaurants … and these are not “locked” in any way.

So, how is this a personal security advancement? First of all, if the phone or other device can only be turned on via biometric access, that would go a long way to keeping its content safe while users close or change access to critical accounts.

Second, I’d like to see these devices come with a service where if I were to lose the device, I can contact the manufacturer and have it turned off with a remote “kill switch.” Even better, maybe they can also cause the device to self-destruct or emit a high-pitched squeal if someone tries to repeatedly access it after I’ve reported it stolen!

Another security option that’s available already is a special app-based wallet that contains all the personal identification information you might need in the course of a trip – passport, driver’s license, health records, and so on. You can set time and access limits to the app – for the duration of the trip and with accessibility to, for example, an airline or hotel so they could access only the information they need when they need it.

What if our biometrics change? Will our devices and apps stop recognizing us? Again, that’s possible, but that’s probably a good thing, similar to being forced to reset your password every six months on your laptop security or within your online banking program. In the case of biometric recognition, though, the need would be far less often than that.

Wallets and pocketbooks might be hard habits to break, but that hasn’t stopped us from adapting to new and better, future-focused solutions in the past. I predict we’ll quickly adjust to this convenient and more secure approach to managing the personal information we carry with us.