2024 could be the year that passwords die as tech giants and startups alike push forward with passkeys — a technology that could make the need to remember or track dozens of passwords obsolete.

What are passkeys? They replace passwords with “authentication mechanisms built into your own devices,” the Verge writes. “That means you can use Face ID on your iPhone, Windows Hello on your PC, or the fingerprint sensor on your Android phone to authorize access to your websites, apps, and services.”

Why? They’re more secure — only a hashed version is saved by developers and they’re protection against phishing attacks: Your grandpa (or mom or dad or the guy in finance) can’t be tricked into clicking a bogus link because “the browser or OS handles verification” that the website is legit.

How to get started: The Verge has a constantly updated story stream that should be more than enough to get you started. Want to get a bit nerdier? Go to Smashing Magazine.

PC user? You’ve been gifted with a new button. Last Thursday, Microsoft announced that it will be adjusting the standard Windows keyboard for the first time since 1994 by adding a button designated to prompt their generative AI assistant, Copilot, within Windows 11, the company said.

What does the Copilot key do? Well, not much. It predictably opens up the generative AI assistant, which anyone with an up-to-date Windows PC with Copilot enabled can currently do by just pressing the Windows button + C, according to Ars Technica. Why? Because Microsoft really wants you to use Copilot. After all, they didn’t invest USD tens ofbns into AI for nothing. Right?

2024 is going to be the year of the AI PC. At least that’s what Microsoft’s Chief Marketing Officer Yusuf Mehdi says. According to the announcement, Copilot will be used to reinvent computer functionality, such as Bing search, Microsoft 365’s productivity tools, and other more vaguely phrased activities such as “getting things done.”

This change is striking a nerve with Microsoft users. Microsoft admitted that using their new keyboard will become mandatory to use their software, but didn’t specify when this would go into effect. Many also fear that the placement of this new key will interfere with their workflow either by hindering typing or nullifying years of shortcut memorization — cue in first-world problems’ cries of anguish.

It wouldn’t be the first time Microsoft has imposed hardware requirements on major PC manufacturers. The Windows key was introduced in 1994 and is now standard across PC keyboards naturally rather than by requirement. Microsoft’s upcoming Copilot key directive will essentially force PC owners to upgrade their devices once Microsoft imposes this requirement in one of their software updates.

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